Some great feedback!

[ModSammy]

Yeah, so I just been noticing that we've gotten some really interesting comments lately, especially on the "Ask Mike" and the original "Mission" videos. Since they can kinda get lost in all the other comments, thought I'd pull a few out for everyone to take notice.

Hey Mike,
I just wanted to thank you. In short for what you have done with helping people realize the value in skilled labor. I had been groomed into a white collar businessman at a young age. A big corner office and an expensive car were in my future. I had been taught anything less, was simply that, less. For one year I had worked at a fabrication shop during college to help pay some bills. I became a skilled welder and painter there and loved what I did,whether it was 40 hours a week or 80. I am close to graduating with a degree in Public Relations and a minor in Post Reconstruction American History. Either of those topics are that interesting and I realized that the job I was going to be taking would not make me happy. While finishing my degree I saw the video of your speech from the TED conference and the video when you spoke to the Commerce Science and Transportation Committee and it made me realize that my happiest days at work were when I was welding, sweaty and dirty. I have recently enrolled in an apprenticeship program to be a sheet metal welder, and I couldn’t be happier. I am excited for work more than I have ever been and I have your influence to thank. If it weren’t for those few minute speeches you made I would be stuck at a desk dealing with office politics. Now I’ll be at a work bench, dealing with welding sparks. I can’t wait for the stories.
Thank you Mike, and keep up the amazing work.

Austin P.

Mike, I wanted to stop by and leave you a note about your mikeroweWORKS project and its impact on my life. I have followed your show for a long time now, and always found it fascinating.

About 6 months ago, I came across this website and stopped by for awhile. I am currently a graphic designer who has worked in the office for about 7 years now. I had returned to school to get my Marketing Degree with a minor in programming and networks. After seeing your video on the national PR campaign for service jobs, as well as reading throughout the site, a seed had been planted in my head.

After a month of thinking it over, I decided to switch to the electrical field focusing on residential wiring and automation.

Your story of your grandpa had stirred in me, a memory of helping my grandpa run cable in houses and do electrical work.
The fact that the majority of people in the US are looking for the cushy office job and left the service industry lacking, combined with the major weaknesses in the US infrastructural integrity led me to the decision to take off the tie and roll up my sleeves.

The jobs are there, but no one wants to take them.

Anyways, since changing to an electrical technology focus I have had a great time. I love what I am learning and am very excited to get out into the field when I am finished with my degree.

Thank you for your dedication to the backbone of America’s workforce. If not for you, I would not have found my current career path. I am proud to be part of the service industry movement.

Jake Ludolph

The mrW word is getting out there...

[songbird]

While finishing my degree I saw the video of your speech from the TED conference and the video when you spoke to the Commerce Science and Transportation Committee and it made me realize that my happiest days at work were when I was welding, sweaty and dirty. I have recently enrolled in an apprenticeship program to be a sheet metal welder, and I couldn’t be happier. I am excited for work more than I have ever been and I have your influence to thank.

The fact that the majority of people in the US are looking for the cushy office job and left the service industry lacking, combined with the major weaknesses in the US infrastructural integrity led me to the decision to take off the tie and roll up my sleeves. Anyways, since changing to an electrical technology focus I have had a great time... I love what I am learning and am very excited to get out into the field when I am finished with my degree.

Congratulations to both of these men.

What great testaments to the site and all the work that has gone into spreading the message.

You should be very proud, Mike.

[mikerowe]

Congratulations to both of these men.

What great testaments to the site and all the work that has gone into spreading the message.

You should be very proud, Mike.

Hi Songbird -

I am. Mostly though, I'm grateful, and maybe a little relieved.

Back in '08 when this thing started, I was a little vague about the exact purpose of mrW. In part, I wanted a mechanism that allowed me to talk about my TV show in a new and different way. But I also wanted to do something that would stimulate actual conversations in the real world about the evolving notion of a "good job." A lot of people were suspicious of the impact an online conversation could have on actual behavior. Frankly, I wasn't so sure myself. But the truth is, most every decision starts with a conversation, and this kind of feedback confirms it.

We talk a lot here about the skills gap and the unemployment rate and the role of unions and the virtue of hard labor and a bunch of other stuff. But underneath all of that is the notion of happiness on the job, and the challenge of finding "meaningful work." That's the thing I found on Dirty Jobs, in places where I didn't expect to. Ultimately, that's the thing I suspect that most people want from a career. Certainly, that's the thing I wish for Austin and Jake.

Congratulations guys, and good luck.

Mike

[james mcgrew]

mike, i am inspired that you do this and i have used your videos many times in my efforts here, we have a bad situation here where an administrator removes programs with traditionally low reporting numbers, replaces them with new programs (unrelated to industry) which will not report for the minmum three years it takes to complete then uses the spike to obtain additional funding for her school, however well intended it has caused the abolishment of our total industrial education in our high schools. recently the students of the cabinetmaking programs and the teachers were given awards in the district, during the standing ovation for the contributions to the school the principle was the only one who did not stand up !! Shame,, we need your help. we have some decent national press on it and will return in the fall to get industrial programs on the agendas. no matter waht i love what you are doing it truely gives is hope.

jim mcgrew
mcgrewwoodwork.com

http://www.thestate.com/2012/02/12/2...netmaking.html

http://www.cabinetmakerfdm.com/ViewA...4&terms=mcgrew

[songbird]

Hi Jim,

I think vocational/trade school options for kids is important and I hope the school reconsiders dropping the woodworking classes.

Can you get the students and parents involved in starting a petition or letter to the principal to encourage her to keep the program? Or maybe try to generate more interest in woodworking among the students by holding some sort of free workshop or open house at the school where the kids can try their hand at it and the parents would be able to learn more about it?

I hope it works out. Love the Krispy Kreme bus, by the way! Very cool.

[james mcgrew]

thanks, we will ramp up again soon with more parental involvement, problem is many parents of this "level" as the district sees it are not as participatory as the gated subburb community parents are 1500 in the school 120 in the cabinetry, the board has a hidden agenda for a new set of offices and is notorius for some of thier practices. we have a lot of info so we will see if nothing else i definantly have thier attention, they keep asking the media to stop interviewing me !!


we will be doing more with the "Outcast Kustoms" show this season, some of my large corporation suppliers have taken notice to how we use thier materails and are wanting to get involved in teaching commercial work on tv !!

[songbird]

thanks, we will ramp up again soon with more parental involvement, problem is many parents of this "level" as the district sees it are not as participatory as the gated subburb community parents are 1500 in the school 120 in the cabinetry, the board has a hidden agenda for a new set of offices and is notorius for some of thier practices. we have a lot of info so we will see if nothing else i definantly have thier attention, they keep asking the media to stop interviewing me !!

Sounds like the school is pretty much set in its ways - it's a shame.

But at least you're bringing a lot of attention to the problem.

we will be doing more with the "Outcast Kustoms" show this season, some of my large corporation suppliers have taken notice to how we use thier materails and are wanting to get involved in teaching commercial work on tv !!

Very cool!

[alphalady61]

I think you are fighting two battles there, James: misinformation about industrial programs and the "type" of kids who enter them, and funding programs that don't have a return on their investment, as far as the administration sees. I find it surprising that your principal has as much control over school programs as she seems to. Are you in a small school district? That might be why.

Anyway, keep getting that media attention. Don't stand down. I truly believe you are on the frontline as far as the war on work is concerned. You can always come to this site to get support and encouragement for whatever you attempt.

Keep us informed!
Kathy (Teach)

[songbird]

I think you are fighting two battles there, James: misinformation about industrial programs and the "type" of kids who enter them, and funding programs that don't have a return on their investment, as far as the administration sees. I find it surprising that your principal has as much control over school programs as she seems to. Are you in a small school district? That might be why.

Anyway, keep getting that media attention. Don't stand down. I truly believe you are on the frontline as far as the war on work is concerned. You can always come to this site to get support and encouragement for whatever you attempt.

Keep us informed!
Kathy (Teach)

Good points Kathy.

Yes, please keep us informed Jim.

[WingGal]

A quick thanks to everyone that works at MRW.

The ladies and gentlemen are really doing a great job. I have watched the Foundation grow and must say it is because of all the hard work of the "behind the scenes" folks put in; You can see changes in the mindsets at the schools and it the MRW great people should be recognized for helping make it happen.

In the school system people are actually giving scholarships and grant money to the students seeking trades and to the trade schools. But the struggle is not over. All of the MRW employees and friends must keep the knowlege base growing.

They are using MRW in local middle schools and high schools as an example of the "another way" you can continue your education.

For years I have tried to take away the stigma of the trades. FINALLY, through all your hard work, I see the tide turning
For that...I thank all of you.

As an employer of many tradesmen, it does my heart good to have many young carpenters, electricians, tile masons, plant and flower purveyors coming to me with wonderful training. They carry knowlege and fresh creativity needed in my market. BRAVO!!

WingGal.