8 answers
1
Question
Asked
838 views
Is it worth it to get a degree vs trade school?
#college #college-admissions #college-advice #graduate-school #degree #masters #school #trade-school #highschool #van
Login to comment
8 answers
Updated
Doug’s Answer
Many paths to find success. Some of the most successfully/wealthiest people I know have went to trade school, developed there skills and started successful businesses. But like mentioned below "It really depends on what you enjoy doing". I started my life after high school going to a Jr College studying to become a chef, after the 1st semester I realized it was not the right path for my life. Now I work for one of the best companies in the world. Try to find your passion, leverage your strengths so you can maximize your income. Also, relationships are everything!
Updated
Lynn’s Answer
What I've learned over my career is that there are many paths to success but the most enjoyable one is where you are able to use your strengths. I've also learned that we tend to learn what our strengths truly are through trial and error. College may be the best route for some and trade schools for others. Military service or Peace Corps could be the best route yet for others. You can do more than just one. Serve in the military then college or go to college then serve in the military. The opportunities are endless. Key is to check in with yourself as you go along your path and see if you are feeling successful, the success can be measured and if your choices meet your needs and fulfill your passions. Hope this helps.
Updated
Kyle’s Answer
It definitely depends on what you want to do - I think the earning potential via both paths is great. When I was going in college, I worked in construction doing framing, plumbing and electrical because that was what my family had always done and I really enjoyed it. But I also love working with data, so it was worth getting a college degree to pursue that long term. For me, the job security of having my degree was worth it because I have experienced the ups & downs of the construction market. That being said, I often miss working in a more hands on environment. I know this wasn't an "answer" per-say, but hopefully it helps!
Updated
Melinda’s Answer
Hi Leo, Similar to all the advice provided above, there are many paths to success. You need to find your passion and what you enjoy doing. Understanding your strengths and trying out different paths to see what is the most enjoyable one is where you are able to use your strengths. Having a degree will open a lot of opportunities for you. But you can always go back to college and change your path, or specialize in an area as a mature student.
Updated
Will’s Answer
I'd echo what other before me have mentioned. I'm a software engineer that started out in industrial engineering. In that industrial engineering era, I worked with many folks in the trades at a chemical process plant - all had interesting, active, and lucrative careers. It all depends upon desired lifestyle. The pipe fitters, millwrights, and operators I worked with spent most of their days on the plant floor working with heavy machinery while folks in engineering made it onto the floor on occasion, though spent a lot time planning, designing, and meeting in an office setting.
On a personal note, I thoroughly enjoy engineering and would recommend it in a heartbeat. I have nothing but respect and admiration for those in the trades though - I have many family members that do extremely well as sprinkler fitters (fire protection).
On a personal note, I thoroughly enjoy engineering and would recommend it in a heartbeat. I have nothing but respect and admiration for those in the trades though - I have many family members that do extremely well as sprinkler fitters (fire protection).
Updated
Brandon’s Answer
It depends on what you want to do as a job. In a lot of ways, trade school is often overblown as something that is less then desirable in comparison to having a degree when that is not true. Those that go into a trade school are able to learn the profession in and out, and make a lot of money in that field. Sometimes even more then your average degree holder. Some of the trades in trade school are also highly desirable, and by going to trade school it can help in finding a job. With degrees it can be much more difficult because most employers are looking for a person with experience which a lot of them do not have.
Updated
Keith’s Answer
This is a great debate question. The short answer is it depends.
Traditional Secondary education with a degree program is the widely accepted path (norm) for most, but there some students who know that environment is not viable for any number of valid reasons. Corporate working structure is predicated on the workforce built on secondary and post-seoncdary education. Many people go gravely into debt in pursuit of corporate success. While others find good stable jobs working in their field and work happily. That is not everyone's path.
Trade school is also the backbone of the economy. Students who choose not to further their formal education, but choose a trade help to maintain the infrastructure of our lives (i.e. HVAC, plumbing, electrician, etc.). Unlike most traditional degrees, trade skills remain with you and can be leveraged in perpetuity - as long as you have the desire to do so as a career. While the economics may not provide a windfall of money initially, if you become an expert at your field, prosperity would certainly follow.
Success is really defined by you.
Traditional Secondary education with a degree program is the widely accepted path (norm) for most, but there some students who know that environment is not viable for any number of valid reasons. Corporate working structure is predicated on the workforce built on secondary and post-seoncdary education. Many people go gravely into debt in pursuit of corporate success. While others find good stable jobs working in their field and work happily. That is not everyone's path.
Trade school is also the backbone of the economy. Students who choose not to further their formal education, but choose a trade help to maintain the infrastructure of our lives (i.e. HVAC, plumbing, electrician, etc.). Unlike most traditional degrees, trade skills remain with you and can be leveraged in perpetuity - as long as you have the desire to do so as a career. While the economics may not provide a windfall of money initially, if you become an expert at your field, prosperity would certainly follow.
Success is really defined by you.
Updated
David’s Answer
Since you have asked this question you already know it is difficult to answer. I was able to receive a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering without having a student loan, or other debt, to pay off. This gave me a head start in earning potential. If I had taken the trade school route no doubt I would have been earning a good living 2 to 3 years before graduating from university. However, the earning potential for an engineering, or other, degree is better in the long term. It is definitely possible to go to trade school and earn a college degree afterwards which could be the best of both.