by Pretty much the main topic behind this, has been discussed over and over again. It is understood that getting a college education nowadays is something like a fashion trend. Which is why so many people are getting stacks of loans on their backs, without understanding really the reason why they are doing it. One of the main misconceptions for people, is that if they don’t get into a college program, they will need to live on food stamps etc.
When you walk into the real world, you will understand that is not the case. I know many contractors (don’t need a college degree for that) and trades people that are millionaires and doing well for their families and themselves. The problem today, isn’t a lack of money but rather a lack of people that are willing to work 80 hours/week to thrive in life and in business. People are waiting for the handout (and it doesn’t need to be state handout) and the parent’s allowance. Well, guess what…your parent’s are going to live forever and you need to start to learn “how to fish.”
A very good friend of mine that owns a deconstruction company out in Atlanta, GA (click here to view the company) was saying something very interesting in regards to the employees working for him and their approach in life. According to him, a great majority of his construction workers, had thought of going for a college education and were mentally qualified to attend a college program. They had the grades and the full package: however they knew that when it came to making money to support your family, a piece of paper (the diploma) doesn’t really matter. You can’t buy bread with that at the grocery store. So they started off from a very early age, working for other construction companies and when they got the experience and knowledge, they joined his company.
We were discussing this whole college crisis the other day, and what he said was what has been mentioned throughout this blog. Which is, students need to think of what they will be doing after college. Moreover, how will college help them improve their skills, their lives and their family’s well being. If they shake their shoulders not knowing the answer to that, then they are in big trouble. Many people think of construction workers as some low paid individuals with very low quality of work and living. When you come to reality though, and in 2017 you will see that they are treated actually in a very good way. Safety measures have been applied with a lot of great insurance policies in the case of accidents. Work schedules are light and flexible for you to attend the construction site based on your convenience. Pay isn’t that of a medical doctors but it is a decent one that can support your family comfortably, if you know how to learn within your means obviously. But in a construction (or in this case, a demolition) company there aren’t just jobs related to hammering away against that concrete. You have a bunch of different machinery operators which is actually a lot easier than hammering away nails in a manual way (the way probably your grandfather did.)
Now of course, I am not suggesting that people don’t go for an education to start working in construction. The point I’m trying to make is that you have a ton of options to select from, that don’t really require you to go to college. All the successful local businesses (like the plumber, the electrician the roofer etc) didn’t need a college education. Also, you can attend courses for a specific specialty or trade. I mean it’s not like you will need to figure this all out on your own. Thank goodness there is a lot of information out there. But what I don’t get is, how will a liberal arts degree help someone in construction. Instead of wasting 4 years of their lives and paying a good amount of money, that person could have gone into construction just like that. You think the pay is going to be greater? Well when you come to the real world, you will understand that skills and experience are the main contributing factors to the salary you get, and not what kind of a degree you have.
People: I have said some things, other people have said some things about these topics…start putting your heads together and build your future. It won’t be long when you find yourself agonizing about what you will do tomorrow to survive. And that is of course without the impact of a disastrous event, say a financial crash. Invest in yourself and invest in your future. It is the most honorable thing you can do both for you and your family.
Hope you all are having a beautiful Tuesday!
