Would You Encourage The Next Generation to Get Into Your Trade?

I recently (2024) graduated from Arizona State University after a much-prolonged absence from college, having to drop out due to financial concerns in my early 20s. Fortunately, I was able to go onto have a career immediately and be able to retire from that before turning 40. Now I am a business owner, coach, and mentor to many in my younger self's shoes. While I was in college, I had met many a young gen Z adult. A few of them would piggyback off my experience for advice. The one thing I always talked to them about is IF they wanted to become the wealthiest, most successful friend in their friend group what they would do is take their college education, get in a trade, and then apply those items to their own business. I certainly felt like I was just spewing experienced wisdom that would fall on deaf ears. Within a couple years there are a few that decided not to take the path of working for Big Four consulting firms. Instead opting for a skill/trade to grow themselves on based on conversations we had as well as research they did on their own. 

I think the myth of college is the only way to be successful in life has truly been debunked. THE most successful people I know and have met in my life have started their own business from a trade/skill. If I had kids, I would give them that option vs college when helping guide and pay for their first venture away from home. I think a lot of parents and young adults are seeing how crucial the trades are to society. In my opinion, it's been the most reliable position to take care of a family and put bread on the table since World War II.

Thanks for sharing the Blue Collar Report! Have you noticed this in your own experience?


Matt
Kalea Consulting