It is clear that the news has broken: the trades are well-paying and in demand. I have nothing but respect for the highly competent people I hire for the work on my house: electricians, plumbers, etc. Trades also often attract a different type of person than an office worker, which is more fitting for some of my students.

But I am seeing so many kids who think that they can just shit on school, join the trades, make more money than everyone, and have an easy life! As if they have found some kind of cheat code and everyone else is a sucker.

I have explained that (1) you certainly need a good high school education to even make it to trade school, (2) the amount of money that you make as an experienced journeyman is NOT what you will make out of the gate, (3) while it is true that student loans are a total scam, it is not like education in the trades is free, (4) the wear on your body makes your career significantly more limited, etc. etc. etc.

I am not going to pretend like I know what goes into the trades, but I also know that tradespeople are NOT stupid and are NOT living the easy life. The jobs are in demand and highly paid specifically because it is HARD work - not EASY work. I feel like going to college and getting a regular office job is actually the easy way.

Have you noticed this too?