Originally posted by WABs_OOE
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If you want to be ambitious, there are clearer and easier routes available to you as an upper middle class kid. Traditionally, there was "lawyer" and "doctor." Lawyer specifically isn't high-paying anymore, but the general idea is that there are upper class white collar jobs that are protected by tests and certifications that will give you a high salary. My wife came out of school clearing six figures, same as my sister, because they are both pharmacists. You want to be ambitious? Totally cool, but I'll tell my kid to go be a pharmacist.
I think the trades are fine. They certainly offer a better lifepath for a great number of Americans. My Dad worked in the trades when he had to drop out of school because he knocked up my Mom at 18. They are not good options for upper middle class kids who have other options, unless those kids REALLY like working with their hands. I do not want trades taught in my schools because it is a total waste of money because they just aren't going to have jobs like that. Granted, most of their education will be a waste of money anyways, so I don't care a whole hell of a lot, unless it damages the school's reputation among top colleges (because name-brand is extremely important).
"Pay your dues" means something different in the corporate world than the trade school world. You should get paid and promoted and have assignments issued to you in accordance with your productivity level. If your company doesn't, another company will.
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