Our recent graduates and rising seniors are looking to what’s next. They want to know what they are going to be doing, and they want to know right now!
There are so many viable options today compared to even 10 years ago. Employers are much more sophisticated, and they do a better job of determining if you’re the right fit.
They have also removed the university/college degree prerequisite for many positions, and the skilled trades are on the rise. We are also watching apprenticeship programs roar back to life in many fields.
The key term here is “skilled” trades. This is not something you puzzle out on your own. There is theory and rules to be learned, as well as practical, hands-on training. Like everything worthwhile, it’s a process. The title “skilled trades” is earned, not given.
As a society, we are facing shortages of key skilled tradesmen. Plumbers and pipe fitters, electricians, HVAC/R (Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration), automotive technicians, equipment installers, respiratory therapists just to name a few, and you can rest assured there are many more on this list.
Like it or not, you’re still going to have to pursue a lifetime of learning. Tomorrow’s air conditioning systems promise to be different from those that are being installed today, and like any field, you’ll need to keep up to date on the latest equipment and installation techniques.
The key word is “skilled.” You need to first acquire those skills, and then continue to hone them over a lifetime. Depending on what you choose, there will be theory, likely some math, plus you’ll need prove those skills over a couple of thousand hours or more.
The skills you acquire may also lead to status in the trade of your choice.
Remember, that status means you have met the MINIMUM standards if you want to ascend to the top of your field, you’ll need more, and if you want to supervise people, you’re going to need to learn even more.
If you don’t, you’ll be back to trading hours for dollars. It’s a lot more fun and rewarding leveraging your skills and a good outcome for dollars. Even with all the turmoil in higher education, there will always be jobs that require a four-year degree or even more.
Teachers, CPA’s, scientists, and engineers will all require a degree, and the bar to get hired has been raised. The days of going to college, showing up to class, getting a degree, and then scoring a decent middle management job are gone. You’re going to have to be much more and demonstrate that you can add value.
You’re going to have to be actively involved in your education.
I’ve always believed that 75% of what you get from an education happens outside of the classroom. So, what else are you doing? Newspaper? Band? Orchestra? Drama? Clubs? Fraternity or Sorority?
If you’re just there to pick up a degree and get a job, you’re going to be sadly disappointed.
The classroom learning alone isn’t going to get you where you want to go.
If your aspirations include a Master’s Degree, they are no longer accepting everyone.
The schools have figured out that only those who were involved in large footprint activities (Greek organizations, sports, music) are likely to be stroking checks as alumni. So, they are giving them preference. Even our institutions have a survival instinct.
Oh, and don’t expect to be working remotely immediately. Remote work is a leadership killer.
Choosing employees who thrive in solitary settings can be detrimental to those who aspire to lead and manage, and your employer likely wants to see your stuff in person before they let you go remote.
Just remember the old adage of “out of sight, out of mind.”
One of my brothers-in-law recently said, “Three days in the office and you have a job. Five days and you have a career.”
Every once in a while some television writer pens something that is just brilliant, and then some actor gets to voice it. I’ve paraphrased something from the series Tulsa King because it’s that good; paraphrased because the character is rough, and I had to make the language family friendly.
The whole point of a college degree is to show a potential employer that you showed up someplace four years in row, and completed a series of tasks reasonably well and on time. So, if he hires you, there’s a semi-decent chance that you’ll show up there every day and not screw his business up.
The exact same thing can be said of learning a trade.
So many interesting options, and many awesome projects to do.
Which way are you headed?
