General Discussion

CoopersDad

(3,262 posts)

8. Do both. Trades and college. Don't make this a binary question.

Tue Nov 11, 2025, 11:10 AM

Nov 11

Before committing to a five-year architecture program I worked as a carpenter, equipment operator, in a machine shop and other similar work. That helped me to decide what I wanted to do in college.

Those skills also paid my expensive rent while in school-- ceramic tile work and small remodels paid well in Manhattan.

I work with high school kids in career pathways programs. i would never put it to them to pick one or the other, every kid is different and we are all talented.

As for AI, last month a speaker to a high school class said something like this: Anyone who doesn't take the time to learn about AI is in danger of being replaced by AI.

So yes, it's an issue but it can also be a career.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

4 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

hurl biophile MineralMan Jilly_in_VA

62 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

"Learn a Trade!" response to AI fears [View all] Johnny2X2X Nov 11 OP

It makes sense SO FAR TheFarseer Nov 11 #1

I still think inevitable lawsuits are going to slow the "self driving semi" train down. Callie1979 Nov 11 #4

even liberal arts degrees eventually pay off DBoon Nov 11 #2

Even more so in an AI World JCMach1 Nov 11 #18

As they always have Iris Nov 11 #21

I've been saying "learn a trade" my whole life. College is a scam Callie1979 Nov 11 #3

I've had the opposite experience Johnny2X2X Nov 11 #5

GO GREEN.... democratsruletheday Nov 11 #30

I graduated from college with zero debt. hunter Nov 11 #9

True enough about the non-career years of education biophile Nov 11 #10

I've recommended that to many kids. Get most of your hrs at the smaller cheaper places Callie1979 Nov 11 #22

Yes, good idea. biophile Nov 11 #27

Why are you parroting RW billshit? Happy Hoosier Nov 11 #47

Good for you; most dont have parents pay for their school. Trade school made me financially secure. Callie1979 Nov 12 #55

I perfectly cool with people learning a trade, if that's the best choice for them. Happy Hoosier Thursday #61

a lot of jobs now that require a degree Skittles Nov 12 #57

Companies requiring a bachelors degree for a job have dropped in recent yrs. Callie1979 Thursday #59

"Go to college! Learn to code!" used to be our reprose to workers complaining about automation, outsourcing, and... Lancero Nov 11 #6

If I were a junior engineer starting out Johnny2X2X Nov 11 #7

Good luck getting a junior engineering Boo1 Nov 11 #13

I'm a senior engineer in aerospace Johnny2X2X Nov 11 #14

I agree Boo1 Nov 11 #16

I disagree somewhat Johnny2X2X Nov 11 #19

Are you an engineer? Happy Hoosier Nov 11 #49

No Boo1 Nov 12 #50

Using AI to code is going to create all sorts of jobs for people who can maintain that code... hunter Nov 11 #15

Agree Johnny2X2X Nov 11 #20

I just don't want to be run over by a driverless truck... hunter Nov 11 #26

I cannot wait for the roads to be majority driverless vehicles. Johnny2X2X Nov 11 #31

That sounds dystopian to me. hunter Nov 11 #41

Do both. Trades and college. Don't make this a binary question. CoopersDad Nov 11 #8

It never hurts to be multi-competent! biophile Nov 11 #12

Exactly CD....as I said before, my kid LOVES democratsruletheday Nov 11 #32

Yes, equal time should be given to technical school & college. Callie1979 Nov 12 #56

The belief that going to college is a bad idea is at the forefront of project 2025 policy. patphil Nov 11 #11

Well put Johnny2X2X Nov 11 #17

College was simply not for me. Technical school was. And I retired at 53 Callie1979 Nov 11 #23

Good for you Johnny2X2X Nov 11 #37

This message was self-deleted by its author Stacey Grove Nov 11 #24

It's not a bad idea, but not the right idea for everyone. flvegan Nov 11 #25

Trade jobs are being taken by robots lame54 Nov 11 #28

Glad you started this topic fujiyamasan Nov 11 #29

Solid article on the subject.... democratsruletheday Nov 11 #33

I support everyone going to at least a two-year college before chosing a career LogDog75 Nov 11 #34

I learned a trade Jilly_in_VA Nov 11 #35

BSNs aren't required to do rotations before graduating? Johnny2X2X Nov 11 #39

They do, but it varies Jilly_in_VA Nov 12 #54

The point of education is that it teaches you how to learn and how to think. milestogo Nov 11 #36

LOL Skittles Nov 12 #58

Those who make such suggestions as a response to A.I. don't understand current technology 0rganism Nov 11 #38

Excellent post, thanks Johnny2X2X Nov 11 #40

I think we're a long way from robots who can do plumbing or electrical work... hunter Nov 11 #42

It's always a long way until it's not 0rganism Nov 11 #43

Maybe I'll use AI to create a virus that breaks AI. hunter Nov 11 #45

In the case of AI it's a matter of scale rather than structure 0rganism Nov 12 #52

What I learned in trade school in 1992 still applies today Kaleva Thursday #60

AI gets to practice law, medicine, engineering, while humans get to fix the plumbing? tinrobot Nov 11 #44

AI won't kill people with glowing red eye robots... hunter Nov 11 #46

No protection there Blue Full Moon Nov 11 #48

AI is much more limited than its promoters claim WSHazel Nov 12 #51

That AI narrative is such bs jfz9580m Nov 12 #53

If millions went to college, wouldn't create a race to the bottom for wages? Kaleva Thursday #62