Studies show over 16 billion people entered the trades as of 2021, steadily increasing ever since. A college degree doesn’t guarantee you a job like it used to.
And high school students are weighing the pros and cons of a college education vs. entering into the trades. Suppose you’re wondering if your child should go to college or pursue a trade, this post is for you. Keep reading so you can be a true teammate on their journey.
Why the Shift
The world is changing, and so is the job market. Between the pandemic, inflation, and the ever-increasing cost of tuition for higher education, four-year college degrees are not the only way to make a successful living.
While it may be the right path for some careers, many students don’t notd a degree to make a good income and support themselves. Let’s look closer at the pros and cons of a college degree vs. the world of trades so you can know what to look out for.
Things to Consider When Getting a College Education
The need for higher education is going away. There are still plenty of career paths that require some formal training to land your dream job. For example, the following jobs still require them:
- Nursing
- Doctoring
- Therapy
- Engineering
- Teaching
- Financial Management
- Architecture
- Accountancy
While this is by no means an exhaustive list, these are the types of roles that will always require some formal training and certification. However, it’s important to consider the amount of schooling required compared to the cost of tuition and the overall potential for salary increases shortly.
When you consider the cost of a four-year nursing program to receive a BSN, the price is anywhere from $40,000 to $120,000, depending on whether you attend a public or private university. That is a massive hunk of change!
If you prepared for that financial burden — besides the stress of school itself — it can be very challenging to justify this degree. It also is essential to consider that “career” are also changing.
Most people change careers between three to seven times in their lifetime. And they may be strapped with debt from a degree they no longer use.
Not only is that disheartening, but it’s frustrating to struggle with a repayment plan in many cases. And yet, there are benefits to be seen from these higher degrees regarding lifetime earnings.
For example, statistics show that men with a Bachelor of Arts earn approximately $900,000 more throughout their lifetime than just high school graduates. And women would earn $450,000 more than high school graduates. (Sure, we could look at the gender disparity and see the red flags, butthat’ss a topic for another day…)
For some, a college degree unlocks opportunitiesthey’vee always dreamed of. The traditional model works for them, and they are very successful in their chosen field! Butthere’ss another world for students who don’t want to assume student loan debt and may want to enter the workforce sooner.
Things to Consider When Going Into a Trade
As we just mentioned above, a large appeal of going into a trade is to enter the workforce sooner. Instead of spending lots of money to acquire a degree, you can often seek a more affordable option for becoming licensed or trained in a certain field.
Trades are typically classified as follows:
- Electrician
- Plumber
- Carpenter
- Roofer
- Painter
- Home Inspector
- Mason
- Solar Installer
- HVAC Mechanic
- Pest Control
- Welder
- Diesel Mechanic
- Locksmith
- Truck Driver
- Landscaper
- Pet Groomer
- Aesthetician
- Hair Colorist
- Barber
Some more modern trades also include:
- Graphic Designer
- Social Media Manager
- Web Developer
- App Developer
- Game Developer
- Photographer
- Vet Assistant
- Culinary Arts
These professions require a highly-specific and technical skillset that can open doors to higher incomes. This opens up more opportunities for students to decide what they want to do and weigh the pros and cons of how much each certification or degree costs compared to earnings. And the good news is some financial aid mechanisms also apply to trade schools.
Choosing Between College and the Trades: How to Support Your Teen’s Decision
In fact, for many years, it was the only way to enter the workforce and make any meaningful income.
But choosing between college and the trades is a conversation worth having.
As a parent, you may have hesitations about your child choosing something other than a four-year university right out of high school. It can be nerve-wracking to see them choose something different. Butthere’ss power in letting them make their own decisions based on research and their skills.
Your child may be a skilled welder, a caring vet tech, or a fantastic aesthetician. They may also be suited for nursing, therapy, or financial management. Digital marketing and graphic design roles can prepare your child to be a key marketing player for a company, or that can prepare them to start their own company.
Whatever your child is good at, let them take the time to explore all of the possibilities and support them every step of the way. The sky’s the limit when you are supportive and let them chase their dreams!
