Last updated on November 23rd, 2023 at 06:08 pm
Parents, this article is for you. Stop pushing your children to a college degree and look at other opportunities. Look at the facts that will be presented here before you add your weight to the discussion. Consider what is best for your children, vocational school, community college, four-year college, trade school programs, and more.
Only 64% of undergraduate students actually receive a bachelor’s degree. Except for science degrees, only 58% find employment in their degree field.
Are the facts clear? Many students fail to earn a degree then of those that do, many are not employed in their chosen career field. This indicates that at least some children going to college are not comparable with the environment or they are too immature to select a degree that is suitable for them for future employment.
Did you know that over 60% of students graduate from technical schools with rates as high as 90%? I have not even mentioned money at this point. Two key issues with money, are the cost of college education and projected income in the future career.
20 highest-earning college degrees in 2023
| Rank | College Degree | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Petroleum engineering | $137,330 |
| 2 | Aeronautical engineering | $119,510 |
| 3 | Chemical engineering | $103,910 |
| 4 | Mechanical engineering | $91,250 |
| 5 | Civil engineering | $87,060 |
| 6 | Electrical engineering | $103,350 |
| 7 | Computer engineering | $110,140 |
| 8 | Software engineering | $110,140 |
| 9 | Biomedical engineering | $87,130 |
| 10 | Materials engineering | $88,730 |
| 11 | Environmental engineering | $89,580 |
| 12 | Architectural engineering | $82,320 |
| 13 | Nuclear engineering | $112,240 |
| 14 | Industrial engineering | $87,130 |
| 15 | Agricultural engineering | $76,540 |
| 16 | Geological engineering | $88,730 |
| 17 | Mining engineering | $92,310 |
| 18 | Textile engineering | $74,170 |
| 19 | Metallurgical engineering | $88,730 |
| 20 | Engineering physics | $112,240 |
It’s just my guess but I am sure that stats would prove this out, students who graduate with a bachelor of science degree such as nursing, will earn well. Â Engineers, doctors, and others with science degrees will have lifelong employment at high salaries. Â
Enlisting in the military is a viable zero-cost career
If this is your child then by all means suggest that they move on to college. Even so, it is a good practice to expose your children to all opportunities. It seems that there are more and more people talking about different career paths for their children than college.
Enlisting in the military is a great career choice for some. High school students can join the Air Force for example and learn a skill. They can stay in and retire or leave and get a good job plying their trade in the private sector. There is zero cost to your household budget in this direction. Again, if your child is interested. If you do not discuss this option, they may never look at it.
The military offers quality education in their necessary skills. Also, should your child enter the military, they can attend college in the evening even through online courses provided by the military. I joined the Air Force out of high school and attended classes after work hours.
30 skills that do not require a college degree
| Skill | Median Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Web development | $70,060 |
| Graphic design | $53,410 |
| Data entry | $36,200 |
| Customer service | $35,920 |
| Sales | $56,160 |
| Marketing | $61,730 |
| Accounting | 73,560 |
| Administrative support | 38,640 |
| Human resources | 100,140 |
| Real estate | 48,310 |
| Construction | 42,480 |
| Electrical work | 56,160 |
| Plumbing | 56,160 |
| Carpentry | 42,480 |
| Welding | 45,760 |
| Machinery operation | 50,620 |
| Truck driving | 47,820 |
| Cooking | 31,170 |
| Bartending | |
| Hairdressing | 30,740 |
| Nail care | 30,740 |
| Massage therapy | 41,950 |
| Personal training | |
| Childcare | |
| Elder care | |
| Pet care | |
| Farming | |
You automatically think your kids will go to collegeThe topic of this article has been rolling around in my head for some time. I feel passionate about education and the idea that our children must be prepared for life after the basement. Many middle and upper-class parents start thinking of their kids going off to college when the children are very young. Some who own their businesses perhaps think of the kids stepping in and taking over at some point. What many call working-class people, those with good incomes in their areas who work with their hands also think about their kids going to college.  When I went to high school, the schools had classes on trades e.g. metalworking, woodworking, auto repair, and others. The idea was that kids should be exposed to the trades if for no other reason than they could learn how to maintain their own homes and vehicles. One of my brothers focused on vocational programs and overtime worked his way up to foreman of maintenance for a public agency. He had a rewarding life and career.
Many high schools have dropped trade classesSome schools have stopped the trade classes entirely with a primary focus on college preparation. A result of this short-sighted approach to education is there is a severe shortage of plumbers, electricians, mechanical engineers, carpenters, and other trades. Some kids today are pushed to higher education and often look down upon people who work with their hands. Many parents think that hours at the computer will prepare their kids for great jobs. Wrong. Earning a degree will help your child. What this statement usually leaves out are the people who go through life without picking up any skills. I truly believe if you separate those without degrees between professionals (licensed trades) and those who flip burgers you will see a big difference. Not everyone who earns a degree will out-earn others that do not have a degree. A case in point. My company hired people to work at our call center. We paid well above minimum wage and provided benefits. Some of these employees had bachelor’s degrees and they were paid the same as those without a degree. The skilled trades can be well compensatedI work regularly with people who repair air conditioning and heating systems, they are well-paid. The same is true for plumbers and electricians that do projects for me. Most of the contractors I work with earn more than the average college graduate without a marketable degree. A number of the people that I work with own their own businesses. You do not need a college degree to become an electrician. You do need to attend a trade school or spend years learning on the job. Arguments for going to college
Arguments for learning a skilled trade
 An electrician earns about $70,000Let’s be more specific. The average annual income for an electrician in the U.S. is $70,000 without a bachelor’s degree. The average annual salary for a person with a bachelor’s degree in a non-scientific field is about $60,000. The point that I am trying to make is that not everyone needs a college degree if it makes them happy to become a plumber. Skilled trades are without a doubt a viable career path for many. The cost to obtain a bachelor’s degreeAnother key point to remember is that the cost of a bachelor’s degree is over $35,000 (if you attend state school). The cost to become a professional licensed electrician is between a few hundred dollars to $11,000 depending upon the route to obtain the knowledge. You can clearly see that a person who wants to become an electrician can do so without going into lifelong debt. Also, some companies will pay the cost for an employee to become a licensed professional in several fields e.g. welding, electrical, etc. I have written about student debt in the past and will reiterate it here. I know people who have student loan debt of nearly $100,000 who earned art and other similar degrees in fields without strong market demand. One person I know of is earning about $15 per hour with this tremendous debt and no skills except to determine the difference between a Monet and a Manet. Don’t focus on college or technical college too soonParents should not focus on College or Technical college too soon in their child’s development. Wait until you can determine what the child is interested in or what skills they have developed. Don’t push your child into either educational situation without their input. Spend time with your young child introducing the various trades including doctor, lawyer, etc. For example, some parents who are in the military want their children to enter the military and do not consider anything else. Teenagers start to develop their own idea of what they want and it may not be where you pushed them to be. Open their eyes to the possibilities. Talk about how to make a living. Discuss college debt vs an academic degree. If your child is interested in a career field that is not in demand but wants to go there because they “like” it, may not be the best decision. Going away to college is attractive to some children who want to be on their own. Room and board at college are major expense. If your child wants to become for example a Judge, have them start at the two-year school. Some kids need time to realign their desires with reality. Why pay for four-year institutions if they decide to change majors or drop out? Your child can live at home and commute to the two-year college, earn an associate degree and then transfer to a larger school for the degree. At that point, they will know better what they really want to do in the future and can make the right choice. Some of the best jobs that do not require a college degree
Software developers are responsible for designing, developing, testing, and maintaining software applications. They use a variety of programming languages and software development tools to create software that meets the needs of their clients or employers. Software developers are in high demand, and the median annual wage for software developers was $110,140 in 2020.
Web developers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining websites. They use a variety of programming languages and web development tools to create websites that are both functional and visually appealing. Web developers are in high demand, and the median annual wage for web developers was $77,520 in 2020.
Data scientists are responsible for collecting, cleaning, analyzing, and interpreting large amounts of data. They use a variety of statistical and mathematical tools to extract insights from data that can be used to improve business decisions. Data scientists are in high demand, and the median annual wage for data scientists was $122,840 in 2020.
Cybersecurity analysts are responsible for protecting computer systems and networks from cyberattacks. They use a variety of security tools and techniques to identify, prevent, and respond to cyberattacks. Cybersecurity analysts are in high demand, and the median annual wage for cybersecurity analysts was $98,350 in 2020.
Registered nurses (RNs) provide patient care under the supervision of a doctor or other healthcare professional. They perform a variety of tasks, such as administering medications, monitoring patients’ vital signs, and providing wound care. RNs are in high demand, and the median annual wage for RNs was $75,330 in 2020.
Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems. They work in a variety of settings, including homes, businesses, and factories. Electricians are in high demand, and the median annual wage for electricians was $56,180 in 2020.
Plumbers install, maintain, and repair plumbing systems. They work in a variety of settings, including homes, businesses, and factories. Plumbers are in high demand, and the median annual wage for plumbers was $56,310 in 2020.
Carpenters construct and repair wooden structures. They work in a variety of settings, including homes, businesses, and factories. Carpenters are in high demand, and the median annual wage for carpenters was $41,950 in 2020.
Mechanics diagnose, repair, and maintain automobiles, trucks, and other vehicles. They work in a variety of settings, including repair shops, dealerships, and factories. Mechanics are in high demand, and the median annual wage for mechanics was $47,610 in 2020.
Welders join or repair metal objects by melting and fusing them together. They use a variety of welding equipment and techniques to weld a variety of metals. Welders are in high demand, and the median annual wage for welders was $42,490 in 2020.
Many real estate agents have college degrees but more do not. It’s a job that can be learned through courses and mentoring. Some agents become brokers and create their own companies. The median annual income for a full-time real estate agent is $75,000+ Learn a specific trade at no costOn the other hand, your child may want to become a pipe fitter or an underwater welder. If your child decides to go into the trades and attend vocational college, suggest that they can open their own business later and make as much as they can handle also passing along the business to their children. Apprenticeship programs exist for people to learn a skill by working with an actual company. This way the student can learn a specific trade at no cost. It will not serve your children if you teach them that some jobs or skills are “beneath” them. People who work with their hands keep everything working for the rest of us. Someone very good at what they do should be admired. Healthcare workers as a case in point. These people often do not have a college degree and work long hours taking care of those of us who can not care for ourselves. Our culture is pre-disposed to a college degreeSome young people believe that certain jobs are “beneath” them. This is happening in our culture and it’s wrong. Every person has value and the jobs that they do with their hands are vital to our economy and to maintain our lifestyle. The fact that you did not go to college does not mean your child must go. Consider this for a minute. Going directly from high school into a highly compensate trade may be the best option for your child. Your child should find a career that they enjoy. It’s nearly impossible to know if the career field you choose in high school will be the one you love as an adult. There are thousands of jobs availableThe world is full of young people who found great jobs without going after a master’s degree or even getting a trade school education. Here are some examples of what has happened to high school seniors after graduating:
Parents want what’s bestParents want the best for their children and absolutely want them to succeed. Look into some of these options and get the data:
The above are just a few things to think about. There are many sources of information. Your research is not for a specific trade or skill, it’s to gather information about career paths and the cost of the career vs the cost to learn that skill. Regardless of the path to becoming a doctor, police officer, or bricklayer, a parent can map out the various paths in preparation for a discussion with their children. Artificial IntelligenceConsider the future effect on jobs as AI works itself into the economy. Will AI replace a software programmer’s job or a plumber’s job? Will an engineer or pharmacist be replaced? How about an electrician? There are no good answers now but you and your children will have to consider what we already know about AI. It’s my opinion only based on what I have learned reading and working with AI that many “white collar” jobs will be replaced. People working in assembly lines are already being replaced. People who work with their hands building houses, and preparing air conditioners will be the last ones to lose out to AI. Something to consider in long-term planning.  Path to business ownershipMany people who decide on a career in the trades find at a point in their life it’s time to start their own business. Virtually every construction company, repair company, and businesses that offer trade services has been started by individuals who worked in the field. After learning to be a plumber and working under someone to learn the trade, some decide to start their own plumbing business. This is a natural progression. Consider if a plumber for example was making $70,000 per year what a successful person who owns a plumbing company is making. Going to college can also lead to starting a business and that business may be just as successful. Some of the wealthiest people in the world never went to college or did not finish. This does not mean that your child should follow their example except that owning a business is a worthwhile endeavor. When discussing the possible career choices do not neglect to talk about how their choice can lead to their own business. Even as a doctor, for example, they can start their own practice. It’s just that this aspect is usually not discussed when talking about careers. Please read other similar articles on this site. I hope that you leave with something to think about. 2 Comments Mississippi Gulf Coast Realtor     |
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Nice easy to understand article – would be great for young parents to read and comprehend.
I am passionate about kids going to trade schools when they have the aptitude for it.