The Pongo Blog
Is College Still the Surest Path to Success?
February 18, 2010 (11:00AM) by Rick Saia, CPRW
Who says you need a college degree to live the American Dream?
Over the last 25 to 50 years, many parents have stressed an agenda that included going to college, earning a degree, and moving on to make beaucoup bucks in the workforce. And many children have heeded the message. Today, the U.S. has more than five times as many college-degree holders as it had just after World War II.
Since then, the economy has transformed from one powered by manufacturing to one powered more by information. Those with college degrees today are more likely to work in front of a computer than with a hammer or pliers in their hands. I saw this unfold in the years after I graduated from a high school that taught technologies such as woodworking, electricity, and building trades. The school eventually switched to an all college-prep curriculum.
As the economy crawls through a slow recovery and the cost of sending a child to college keeps climbing into the stratosphere, ““blue collar”” jobs are making a comeback. If we continue to churn out more college graduates, will there be enough non-college grads around to build your house, overhaul your car’s transmission, and fix your plumbing?
Absolutely! Somewhere along the line, some of us have forgotten about the importance of skilled craftspeople in these jobs that don’t need college degrees. "There is a blue collar renaissance going on right now," author Joe Lamacchia told PayScale.com recently. And why not? If you’re smart and skilled at a craft, you can see the potential pool of experienced tradespeople thin out as more teenagers head off to college, making it easier to find a job in the trades.
Lamacchia, who wrote the book Blue Collar and Proud of It: The All-in-One-Resource for Finding Freedom, Financial Success, and Security Outside of the Cubicle, added: "These are necessary jobs, and they're not going to go anywhere. Our nation's infrastructure is crumbling. .... There's a lot of opportunity here."
Are you a skilled tradesperson? How difficult is it to find work today, or at least hang onto the job you have? Share your views with us.
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After 30 years of raising four children full-time, I decided to take a course in a local community college to see how it felt. Well, for me, after years of lunches, carpools, playdates, etc., it was akin to finding an oasis of intellectual stimulation after walking on a desert 24/7 mom. Since that fateful class, I have received an associates degree, bachelors degree, and 2 masters degrees. While the job market in the humanity fields is sorely limited, the fullness of knowledge and the joy that brings to me is priceless. My fields are anthropology and history. With all of those achievements, however, I can't find a job and I sorely need the money. With that said, however, we can't count college out because of a problematical job market. How can we, as a country, dismiss the importance of diverse knowledge for enriching ourselves, our communities, and our culture of a liberal arts education, at the minimum. The lack of money for important educational goals and the people who dedicate their lives to academia and teaching is abhorring.
Posted by: Judie | February 19, 2010 at 7:55 PM | Quote This Comment
If I had the chance to live my life all over again, I would make sure that I had some training in things besides academia.WHATEVER YOU LEARN HAS VALUE!
Posted by: Kert | February 20, 2010 at 7:02 AM | Quote This Comment
Personally, I've been to 3 schools, and have earned an amount of degrees, all in the medical field. I've been looking for a job, and like most of the country, have found nothing. While the knowledge I've obtained does bring me a certain joy and happiness like Judie stated, it does extremely frustrate me. I've spent thousands of dollars obtaining my degrees, being promised that I would be "grabbed up immediately" because of my field, and that clearly has not happend. If anything, I'm in even worse debt now than if I would have never went to college, and just worked a minimum wage job the whole time. How am I supposed to pay back thousands of dollars in student loans if I can't get a job? Even a minimum wage job? I've put my resume in well over 50 establishments, and that's not counting the tons that I've completed online, and it was all truly for nothing. So, I'm starting to think that college was just a big trick/scam however you would like to word it, to keep the "younger" people doing something while some older people got to finish out their working years. Which is fine, they should get first dibbs, but at the expense of us ruining our lives and living in debt? It's a horrible feeling, especially when you see no end of the trickling debt in sight.
Posted by: Shalynn | February 20, 2010 at 12:04 PM | Quote This Comment
After many years of being in the workforce, I decided to go back for my BS in Business and recently completed my program. It is the best thing I ever did. The knowledge I gained can never be taken away from me and I am now seriously considering going back for my Masters. The only thing that is stopping me is the additional debt I will be incurring on to the already ridiculous amount student loans I have because of my Bachelors. Although I too am trying to find work (I lost my job a few months ago), and the degree so far doesn't seem to be making a difference. I realize it is because of the horrible job market and the lack of jobs out there with so many people out of work that I too am not finding anything. Not everyone should go to college though. There are many people who are very handy and need vocational training rather than college to be successful (I am not one of them, so college was my answer). I still believe in education in either area and commend those of you who have gone back to college and earned various degrees. It is a lot of work and committment, but well worth the money and effort.
Posted by: Kathy | February 20, 2010 at 12:45 PM | Quote This Comment
Thanks to all for your views. My comments:
@ Judie -- You should be more than proud of your accomplishments! Congratulations! I agree that we can't dismiss the value of a college education. But college may not be for everyone.
@ Kert -- Hear! Hear! There are many things you don't learn in school. I haven't been in a classrooom for nearly 20 years, but I learn something new every day.
@ Shalynn -- I'm sorry to read of your situation. However, even amid the current state of the economy, I still believe a college education is worth it for the long run.
@ Kathy -- Thanks! Well spoken!
Posted by: Rick Saia, CPRW | February 22, 2010 at 2:22 PM | Quote This Comment
I am a small business owner that has been working in the "trades" as a remodeler for about 10 years now. While I think the author presents a valid idea, the truth of the matter is that, at this moment, while the country is experiencing unemployment of 10%+ (probably more like 18% actually), unemployment in the trades is over 30%! NO, that is NOT a mistake! Many of us are self-employed and if this abusive, over-reaching, moronic government doesnt stop spending and get out of the way of small business, we are going to go over a cliff like a bunch of lemmings!
Posted by: Jeff | February 23, 2010 at 12:26 PM | Quote This Comment
Currently I am a college student. Everyday I wonder if this degree will actually get me somewhere. My parents hope for success, but at the same time there is no guarantee. But I love learning and without education I feel that we are nothing. The more educated we are the more we can understand and change the world. However I do believe that that education does not need to come from a college degree. And with more and more people going to college and less and less jobs available we will still need people to do the "dirty jobs". There is nothing wrong with this. Our society thrives off of it. But right now we are in a predicament that will either change the way we approach creating new jobs or less people will go to college. P.S college should not cost so much... everyone should go but paying this much is a crime.
Posted by: Cassie | February 23, 2010 at 2:49 PM | Quote This Comment
@ Cassie -- I agree. There is much value in a college education, and, as one who is paying for someone's current college education, I wish it were cheaper too!
Posted by: Rick Saia, CPRW | February 23, 2010 at 4:26 PM | Quote This Comment
I have my BA and MA in mathematics, and a Masters of Applied Mathematics. From my perspective at age 63, I see college as being of value to those who thirst for knowledge of the sort taught there. The degree in itself is not as important as it used to be. If you're skilled with your hands, use them. If you're skilled in interpersonal relations, work with people. There are plenty of jobs that one doesn't need a college degree to perform, but offer a respectable way to earn a living. I expect those who are on the public dole while unemployed would prefer to have a job they could count on to provide the same money, as well as respect and a sense of usefulness.
Posted by: Christian | August 27, 2010 at 2:23 PM | Quote This Comment
... oh, and by the way, I am unable to get a job now at 63. I retired three years ago for health reasons that have now been addressed, but getting back into the work force is next to impossible ... and I am not drawing unemployment.
Posted by: Christian | August 27, 2010 at 2:26 PM | Quote This Comment
@ Christian -- I agree that college is not for everyone. I wondered about this many years ago when many more were going to college: What could happen if we have so many going to college that we'll fall short in having enough people performing skilled trades that don't require a college education? I think I got my answer this week in this report from Manpower Inc:
http://www.manpower.com/investors/releasedetail.cfm?releaseid=502215
Posted by: Rick Saia, CPRW | August 27, 2010 at 5:18 PM | Quote This Comment