How short are you?

It really comes down to the message in school. When I was in high school, the trades were pushed as a bad path and kids should go to college instead.

At 18, most kids aren't thinking. Most don't know what a job will pay in the real world, and those are some serious decisions when you're 18 with little life experience.

I personally know someone who works in forensics in NYC. To work in criminal forensics in NYC, you need a master degree with specific training from specific caliber of schools.

That job pays a whopping 80K, yet requires over $300K in education costs. You make too much to qualify for loan forgiveness, and the cost of living there is insane.

I think these degrees should have pay listed like a menu in a restaurant.

Degree X costs $$$ this much, and you can expect to make $$$ per year in the real world. That would certainly help with avoiding debt pitfalls.

 

The Forestry Service is always advertising, but they are too embarrassed to say they pay $15/hour, so they put XXX amount a pay period (every two weeks so it sounds more impressive). The jobs also require a degree....to make....minimum wage. Bwhahaha

Its really no wonder no one wants to work. Everything goes up except pays and people just aren't interested in the rat race games. So glad we closed the company doors in 2014. Couldn't find workers in 2022.

 

You need to remember that basic economics has a role in this. That box of crackers is $2 right now. They start paying people $25 an hour because the area forces that much to live with a car and apartment with no roommate etc etc. guess how much that same box of crackers is now? $3.50! Now people need more money to afford to buy that box of crackers, right? Oh well people are making more money now we can get more for rent right? I’ve been a lot of places in this country, I lived in CT for a year when I was starting out. Yeah pay was more than here but so are the expenses. Some of these places are doing it to themselves and the day will come they will make Detroit look promising.

 

We bought the first vehicle, she didn’t like it and had to buy her own after with her money she works for. Pays her college, yes we help some but she pays the majority and will graduate debt free (med school will be different). She was home last summer and will not be returning even though she has another year where she is, doesn’t want to be here likes it on her own more. We never did the gimme everything routine and she learned the value of a dollar and if you want it you’d better have one of those dollars. So many of the kids she grew up with are still living off the parents.

 

It is possible. There are lots of options out there. Unfortunately, too many kids feel they have to get the "college experience" while they get their degree. I will admit, I sure wanted it but college didn't cost so much back in the mid 90's. My blue collar parents could afford what student loans wouldn't cover and I wasn't in debt up past my eyes.

 

Some kids are going to school for a career that isn’t ever going to make a dime and have those bills. That’s on them for making bad choices. Our daughter is in a school that runs $58k a year. She did the work in high school and got the scholarships to only have to pay $17k a year and has worked through college as well as play softball maintained at least deans list and will graduate from undergrad debt free. It is all doable. Just depends on how you go about it.

 

I think they are starting to trend in that direction, especially with the costs of college.

 

I’m thinking of getting a degree in gender studies. I’m pretty sure it’ll pay off over the next couple years. After that retire.

 

Which gender? Many schools will tell you there are too many to choose from!

 

I hear that program is free in Pakistan...

 

No idea what do they teach on gender studies. To me just another BS pieces of paper with a title they can come up with. There’s only 2 genders and those other things they come up with are just lefty lunacy.

 

I am a high school teacher and many of who spoke of school have brought up some great points. I do see a teacher shortage coming real soon though. With the cost of colleges now a days, a teacher salary isn't very appealing especially if you look at the first 5-10 years. Many states are taking away the perks that made up for that income though. My wife and I (she is also a teacher) pay close to $10k a year for health insurance. When we started our careers, it was zero. New hires now have to work until they are 65 to collect a full pension (it's 55 for me.) I don't see many people who would make good teachers in their 40th year in the classroom....I know my wife and I both have our sites set on 55.

 

That's my point

 

Yup. They also start teachers at chit pay, and it takes forever to get to the top of the scale. Oh and BTW, thst requires a Masters plus $$$$.

 

Oregon's timber industry, well, everybody's timber industry has been in decline for 40+ years, but there is actually a huge shortage of young people entering the business too. A logging company manager told me just the other day that his fallers were getting well up in years - fallers years being like dog years - they go by quick. They at least still make good money, but the costs and risks are everywhere.

There are many many highly skilled jobs running the new breed of harvesting equipment that will increasingly go unfilled. Who are you going to trust with your $600,000 timber harvester?

And I could hear the sounds of the yarder operation up behind my place on the mountainside yesterday while it was pouring rain all day and I wondered "Who in the hell wants to be down below that equipment slinging riggin or setting chokers?" (Answer: Nobody!)

 

Maybe in MA but not in NJ…the masters part that is. Having a masters pays about $5k more each year but not required here

 

You don’t need a masters to get hired. You do to reach the top of the pay scale though, and within 5 years of being hired you need either a Masters or a a professional license

 

My crew is full and has been for many years. There are other groups in my department half staffed. Many other departments are not fully staffed. I don’t know of anyone looking for work and help wanted signs everywhere.
It doesn’t seem like my employer is making a serious attempt at seeking new hires.
I’m waiting on a raise that was supposed to appear in January. I was told they are still trying to figure out how much, so it will be February. Than I was told it’s going to happen, but they don’t know when. Must be some super complicated nuclear physicist math they are trying to figure out.
I did see Target is offering $24/hr starting pay for some positions. That should help with formulating an offer to someone with 30yrs of service.

 

Earl764 part of what your saying is right but outdated. Today, my daughter and her friends are Junior’s in high school. They can look up on internet the cost of a associate, bachelor and masters degree of college xxx
They can also look up average pay for any area..

Problem here is teenagers brain.. example 17 yo boy, I know who smokes too much dope.. making bad decisions in life; in tech at school to be mechanic.

says too me an mechanical engineer makes $98,000 a year soo I’ll be good

my response:
1)engineer is usually 5 years of school. How pay 4 it?
2) when was last time you passed a math class?