No household crisis gets your attention quite like a plumbing leak. The night I walked into our kitchen and realized I was standing in a puddle large enough to float a kayak, I screamed for my husband.
We’re more fortunate than many; one of our old friends is a retired master plumber. After soaking up standing water with old towels, two adults, with framed college diplomas hanging on the wall, did what we always do in the face of a plumbing emergency. Minutes later, Charlie and his tools came to our rescue.
I thought about our ‘plumbing disaster’ the night I watched President Obama address the nation’s school children. Despite one’s politics, it was an inspirational speech with excellent advice for every child.
Unfortunately, the success stories our president shared almost always concluded in a college education — as though success is defined by a four year college degree. Certainly, every person who truly wants a college education and has the ambition to work for it, should have the opportunity. But the reality is that not everyone has the resources or the desire to earn a four year degree. Our friend, Charlie, did not — and I, for one, am grateful! He was blessed with a mechanical aptitude — a curiosity to know how and why things work — and the ability to use a tool to get the job done.
In his next talk to students, I’d like to see President Obama address alternative options to a BA or a BS degree: the countless good trade schools, vocational technology courses, and available apprentice programs.
The next time the air conditioning goes off in the White House on a one hundred degree day, let’s see what those Harvard graduates in the Cabinet advise…
9 Comments
I agree college isn’t for everyone. I also agree that just because you hold that four year degree in your hand, doesn’t mean you are the best person for the job. Nothing can replace “on the job training”. Actual hours spent learning, hands on.
Our nations insistence that one must hold a college degree to be considered worthy or successful has brought hardship to my family as well. My husband went to work for a large financial organization immediately out of high school. He started at the bottom and worked his way up to AVP of Disaster Recovery. Twenty-eight years later, his job was given to a young college graduate. Without a degree, he was not qualified to do the job at any other financial organization, even though, he had been doing it for twenty-eight years and knew every aspect of the job.
I had plans of enlisting into the military and obtaining a nursing degree after high school. Unfortunately, my mother developed cancer my senior year and I did not want her to have to worry about me. I enrolled into the Licensed Practical Nursing program at a local vocational school. The program required ninety-five credits to graduate. All the classes were centered around “Practical Nursing” with many,many, clinical hours in every aspect of nursing. Just as with the Registered Nurse, the LPN has to take the state board of nursing exam to obtain a license.I had hoped that my mothers condition would improve within the year and I could enlist and have medical training as well. This did not happen. I passed my exam, obtained my license and immediately began working for a local hospital. I have worked medical/surgical; OB-GYN; Labor/Delivery; Behavioral Health. I did not feel the need to further my degree because I was already working in the position of an RN. Just for less pay. Now, after thirty-two years, they have decided that only RNs are qualified to care for patients and LPNs have been placed in a nursing assistant position that does not require a license. It is all about the credentials and how it looks to the public. Not the experience one has.
Even if we could somehow increase the enrollment into trade school, how can we change the attitude of the employers?
I agree! Frankly, when you read that 70% of students cheat, you understand why a generic college degree is worthless. I’ve interviewed plenty of college “graduates” who had the intellectual capacity of lunchmeat. I SO appreciate people who know how to actually DO/MAKE/REPAIR things! I’ve learned a lot from watching or assisting others so I can do (simple) household and automotive repairs myself – and I am grateful for the knowledge. Unless we encourage more kids to go to trade schools, we could be sunk here in the US.
Kudos to Mike for showcasing the many jobs that go largely unnoticed and unappreciated. He’s (still) my hero – and a real dreamboat, too!
My boyfriend forwarded this article to me. He is blessed with the same mechanical aptitude the article refers to, and it shows! He can fix anything, and he enjoys it. We need more people who have the desire to work with their hands to continue that form of education, whether in trade or vocational tech. courses like the article mentions.
Get a load of this: Germany’s economy is in pretty good shape today because back in the 1980s blue collar trade work was so desperately needed that an educational emphasis was placed on developing trade/vocational schools for the non-college-bound.
The good ‘ole US of A has been derelict in its duty to do the same and our youth are suffering for it. Let’s get the “lead out” Mr. President and reorient ourselves along those lines; it will serve us well, and serve our children’s children well.
I agree with the author. Trade skills are a lost art anymore. I have met several people that had climbed the degree tree only to find that working with wood, or concrete, plumbing or whatever was much more satisfying, than being in an Ivory Tower somewhere. I know I chose that route myself years ago only to find quickly that was not what I really wanted.
I am not the best at repairs or gardening either and thank goodnees there are still peopel that are out there to do the work the way it should be done. But I can work with my hands, and that is a great feeling.
We need more trade people.
Like my husband just said as he peeked o’ my shoulder We have the most Over educated unemployment line in the world!
You imply it’s one or the other, and it’s not. I know a great many people who have degrees and can work with their hands. The fact that you haven’t bothered to learn how to do basic plumbing is the issue here. OTOH, is we all did that who would your friend make any money? I can do any repair on my home. However I often choose to pay others to do so.
Hey! I know that guy in the picture. He’s hard working,honest,generous religious,good family man and always willing to help someone. Working in a trade not only builds buildings, but also builds character.
I wrote a letter to then Senator Obama about this very issue. I did so after reading an article he wrote in which he said “Today, a college education is the only thing that will give our kids a chance to succeed”. I was outraged because he, in fact, told every student involved in Skilled Trade Education, that they were wasting their time. Well, believe it or not, I received a response. Mr. Obama said that he appreciated my comments about Skilled Trade schooling and the importance of investing in technical training.
I completely agree Ms Peggy. Each person should choose their own path. I am always intrigued and awed by carpenters. I so love my home but never met the man who built it – he is long gone but his spirit lives on within these walls. Last time we had a plumber here he dug holes & slid in the mud til he fixed the problem. I thought of Dirty Jobs the whole time, offering him water, coffee…and letting him wash up in my white bathroom. When he left I was thankful to have hot water again to clean up the mess he made. Circle of life I suppose.