In recent social media debates, there has been an increase in arguments over the need for more employees working in trade jobs over going to a college to earn a degree in liberal arts. Personally, I have a great deal of respect for those working in physically demanding fields. However, don't put me down for my opposing choices in work.
Now, let's get one thing straight. There are far more areas of study on campuses than liberal arts so let's not assume that everyone in college is studying history, English, philosophy. etc. Let's also remember that those graduates who have gone to a university to study "things we don't need" are the ones responsible for the magazines and books you read, films to watch and social media websites that you are currently using.
To my fellow trade job workers (because I know and love many of them), I need you. We need you. There is no doubt that we need construction workers, welders, garbage men, carpenters, mechanics, crane operators, etc. The list of workers I need to get by day-to-day goes on and on. I do understand that there is, in fact, an alternative to receiving a bachelor's degree, which would be to specialize in these jobs that the community needs. However, please don't undermine me for "Getting a liberal arts degree that won't do me any good".
A few weeks ago, I received criticism for publishing an article that suggested there is no excuse for not receiving an education. Before opening the link I shared, some assumed that I meant that people should earn a four-year degree. However, within my writing, I suggested that a job in the field of trades requires some form of certification in most cases. By undergoing this training, you are in fact educating yourself! The purpose of my former article was to address the idea that people are graduating high school expecting to receive any job they wish to hold, along with a pleasing salary. To leave comfortably while also being satisfied in your field of work requires you to push yourself. Go get that internship, apprenticeship or associates degree, it's all great experience.
I personally chose to go to college because I don't want to work in a job that requires manual labor. Not because I am lazy and not because I am a woman, but because I want to work to eventually receive my dream job. Not only this but because I am a woman, it is much harder for me to acquire that kind of position which is typically male-dominated. Women who attempt to take over jobs which have typically been performed by men are paid less, or not even considered. For example, the salary-tracking website known as Payscale indicates that a woman makes about 76 cents for every dollar a man does nationwide. Although this is not specific to trade jobs, women are more likely to receive a degree to earn a career in a field where she is less likely to compete with male workers.
I truly believe that this topic should not be up for debate. If you chose to earn a degree at a four-year college, you are great. If you chose to enter some sort of apprenticeship after high school or acquire a job within the union, you are great too. We need all kinds of people. People who are willing to help the community with their hard, laborious work and people who are willing to use their degrees to better educate the world about important issues relevant to our survival and knowledge.
