1 answer
Marcello
Student
Lanesborough, MA
1
Question
Updated
600 views
Can you give me more information on trade schools
#tradeschools sophomore in high school .
1 answer
Margit Tritt
3
Answers
Erie, Colorado
Updated
Margit’s Answer
Hi Marcello,
Congratulations on looking into the trades. There is such a need for honest, reliable tradespeople. The financial rewards can be significant and you won't be deeply in debt with a college degree. University is not for everyone and practical skills create a firm foundation for so many facets of life.
As an example, our power went out yesterday and the linesman spent 4+ hours troubleshooting, found the fault, called for a BIG portable generator to services the two impacted homes without electricity. While waiting, we had a wonderful conversation and he shared his career and travel opportunities - including being lowered from a helicopter to work on high power transmission lines in the US and internationally! He went to linesman school.
A family member started as an hourly worker for a tile craftsman. He now owns his own business and regularly turns down opportunities. He owns his own schedule and has become a general contractor for complete remodels.
There are multiple paths into the trades.
Check out your local community college for training. Likely less expensive than private schools.
Follow Mike Rowe at https://www.mikeroweworks.org/. Start there.
Do you know what you want to do? If not, make some phone calls and meet with people in different trades. Ask honest questions. How did you select this path? What do you like? What don't you like about your job? Knowing what you know now, would you select the same path again? Does this trade require licensing? Is there an apprentice program?
Also consider the military! Auto, diesel, aircraft mechanics. Computer/IT technicians. Electronics technicians. Nuclear reactor maintenance. Army Corp of Engineers for heavy equipment operators. The list is virtually endless.
Best of all to you and for thinking smart about working hard.
Margit
Congratulations on looking into the trades. There is such a need for honest, reliable tradespeople. The financial rewards can be significant and you won't be deeply in debt with a college degree. University is not for everyone and practical skills create a firm foundation for so many facets of life.
As an example, our power went out yesterday and the linesman spent 4+ hours troubleshooting, found the fault, called for a BIG portable generator to services the two impacted homes without electricity. While waiting, we had a wonderful conversation and he shared his career and travel opportunities - including being lowered from a helicopter to work on high power transmission lines in the US and internationally! He went to linesman school.
A family member started as an hourly worker for a tile craftsman. He now owns his own business and regularly turns down opportunities. He owns his own schedule and has become a general contractor for complete remodels.
There are multiple paths into the trades.
Check out your local community college for training. Likely less expensive than private schools.
Follow Mike Rowe at https://www.mikeroweworks.org/. Start there.
Do you know what you want to do? If not, make some phone calls and meet with people in different trades. Ask honest questions. How did you select this path? What do you like? What don't you like about your job? Knowing what you know now, would you select the same path again? Does this trade require licensing? Is there an apprentice program?
Also consider the military! Auto, diesel, aircraft mechanics. Computer/IT technicians. Electronics technicians. Nuclear reactor maintenance. Army Corp of Engineers for heavy equipment operators. The list is virtually endless.
Best of all to you and for thinking smart about working hard.
Margit
Hi Margit: Your advice is insightful. Thanks for sharing.
Sheila Jordan
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