Why Trades Beat Degrees For Young Adults

Have you ever wondered if the path everyone pushes—college, degree, desk job—is really the only way to succeed? I remember sitting in a high school guidance counselor’s office, being told my future hinged on a four-year degree. Fast forward a decade, and the world looks different. With $1.7 trillion in student debt weighing down millions and 7.6 million open jobs begging for skilled workers, maybe it’s time we rethink what “success” means for young adults.

The Broken Promise of College

The narrative is familiar: go to college, get a degree, land a high-paying job. But somewhere along the way, that promise started to crack. Tuition costs have skyrocketed, outpacing inflation in nearly every other sector. According to recent economic studies, the cost of a four-year degree has risen over 180% in the last 40 years, while wages for many college-educated professionals have barely budged.

College tuition has become a financial trap for many, with no guaranteed return on investment.

– Economic analyst

It’s not just the cost. The job market has shifted. Many graduates find themselves underemployed, working jobs that don’t require a degree, while industries like construction, plumbing, and electrical work face severe labor shortages. Why? Because we’ve spent decades telling kids they’re doomed without a diploma, while quietly removing opportunities to explore vocational training from schools.

The Vanishing Shop Class

Remember shop class? For some, it was a place to tinker with tools, build a birdhouse, or maybe even discover a passion. But over the years, schools phased out these programs, prioritizing standardized tests and college prep. The result? A generation of young adults who’ve never held a wrench or wired a circuit, completely unaware of the opportunities in skilled trades.

In my experience, there’s something deeply satisfying about working with your hands, seeing a project come to life. Yet, we’ve conditioned kids to see these jobs as “lesser” than white-collar careers. It’s no wonder 6.8 million able-bodied men are out of the workforce entirely, many uninterested in jobs that don’t require a degree but offer solid pay and stability.

The Student Debt Crisis

Let’s talk numbers. The average student loan borrower owes around $37,000, with monthly payments eating up a chunk of their income for decades. Compare that to a welder or electrician, who can start earning after a year or two of training, often with little to no debt. The math doesn’t lie—trades are often a smarter financial bet.

The table above isn’t just numbers—it’s a wake-up call. Why are we pushing kids into debt when high-demand, well-paying jobs are sitting empty?

Why Trades Are the Future

Skilled trades aren’t just jobs; they’re careers with longevity. Here’s why they’re worth considering:

• High Demand: Industries like plumbing, HVAC, and carpentry face worker shortages, ensuring job security.
• Quick Entry: Most trade programs take 1-2 years, letting you earn sooner.
• Entrepreneurial Potential: Many tradespeople start their own businesses, offering flexibility and higher earnings.
• Debt-Free Start: Trade schools are often cheaper, and apprenticeships pay you to learn.

Perhaps the most exciting part? Trades offer a sense of purpose. There’s pride in fixing a leaky pipe or building a home. It’s tangible, real, and something you can’t outsource to a computer.

Changing the Narrative

So, how do we fix this mess? It starts with perception. We need to stop glorifying college as the only path and start celebrating trades as equally valid. Schools should bring back vocational programs, exposing kids to careers they might love. Parents and counselors need to have honest conversations about debt versus opportunity.

We need to show young people that a trade isn’t just a job—it’s a craft, a legacy.

– Vocational training advocate

Government and industry can help too. Subsidizing trade programs, offering tax breaks for apprenticeships, or even launching campaigns to highlight trade careers could shift the tide. Imagine a world where a 22-year-old feels just as proud to become a carpenter as a coder.

The Role of Passion and Pride

Here’s a question: what makes someone leap out of bed, excited for work? It’s not always money. It’s passion, purpose, and pride. Trades offer that in spades, but we’ve done a terrible job of showing it. I’ve met electricians who talk about their work like artists, describing the satisfaction of solving a complex wiring puzzle. That’s the kind of enthusiasm we need to foster.

Trade Career Mindset:
  50% Skill Development
  30% Problem-Solving
  20% Pride in Craftsmanship

This mindset shift isn’t easy. It requires cultural change, starting with how we talk about work. Let’s stop asking kids, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” and start asking, “What problems do you want to solve?”

Real Stories, Real Impact

Let’s get personal. I recently spoke with a friend who left a corporate job to become a plumber. At 30, he’s debt-free, earns more than he did in an office, and loves the variety of his work. “I wish someone had told me about this path sooner,” he said. Stories like his aren’t rare, but they’re drowned out by the college-or-bust narrative.

Then there’s the data. A 2024 labor study found that tradespeople often report higher job satisfaction than office workers, citing autonomy and tangible results. If we want young adults to feel fulfilled, maybe it’s time to listen to those stories.

What’s Next for Young Adults?

The choice isn’t binary—college or trades. It’s about options. Young adults deserve to know that a four-year degree isn’t the only path to a good life. By investing in vocational training, rethinking education, and celebrating skilled work, we can close the gap between 7.6 million open jobs and the millions sitting on the sidelines.

1. Explore Trades Early: Schools should introduce vocational programs by middle school.
2. Rethink Funding: Shift some education dollars from loans to trade scholarships.
3. Celebrate Success: Highlight trade career stories in media and communities.

In my view, the most interesting aspect of this shift is its potential to empower. Trades give young adults a chance to build something—literally and figuratively—without the burden of debt or the pressure of a “prestigious” title. Isn’t that what we want for the next generation?

So, next time you hear someone say college is the only way, ask them: Why? With millions of jobs waiting and a world in need of skilled hands, maybe it’s time we all took a closer look at the trades.