Trade School
What is it?
Trade school is where you go to learn a trade or craft. In trade school you study to become a ticketed journeyman in a trade such as; electrician, plumber, carpenter, master builder, mechanic, auto body technician, mason, drywaller, heating and refrigeration technician, etc. You enter in to a program where you learn the skills hands on, become an apprentice in a specified trade and eventually take a test - usually both written and practical - to become a full journeyman in that field.
Is it right for you?
This is for you if you thrive in a hands-on learning environment, if you have an interest in a trade and/or have taken basic courses in a specific area while in high school, and if you enjoy physically demanding work that is also mentally challenging. Many people who do not do well in the academic part of high school choose a trade as a profession giving the incorrect impression that tradesman are not “intellectuals.” This is just not true. Trades work is just as mentally challenging as fields like law, business, journalism, and medicine. Where it differs most from these professions is in how you are trained not in how smart you have to be to do the work. Trades work is by no stretch of the imagination simple work.
Training in trades is intensive and in most trades you are actually working in an apprenticeship position within 6 months to a year. Depending on the trade you choose and the program you enter in to it can be a few years before you become a ticketed journeyman. A journeyman is considered an expert in a given trade and passing a journeyman’s exam is akin to passing the bar in law or completing a specialty in medicine. Right now there is a serious shortage in trades workers making it a competitively well-paid career choice. “Blue collar work” as trades work has been called is quickly becoming one of the better paying career choices in the job market. Trades workers with their tickets can choose to work for a company or can work for themselves making it an ideal career choice for people who work well in a structured environment as well as for people with an entrepreneurial spirit. As a trades worker you can easily be self-employed if so inclined.
A Word to the Wise
Over the years trades have been unfairly stigmatized as a fall back career for people who could not perform in an academic setting. This is untrue and has led to a serious shortage in qualified trades workers. A career in a trade pays very well, is mentally stimulating, physically demanding and no one day on the job is ever the same as the last. If you are looking for a career that will never grow dull and that is always changing this may be the best choice for you, even if you were a straight-A student in high school.
Public Service Work
What is it?
Police officers, ambulance attendants, paramedics, firefighters, social workers, government employees and politicians are some examples of public service workers.
Is it right for you?
This is for you if you like helping people, work well under very stressful circumstances, are able to cope with the best and the worst that society has to offer, and adhere well to structure and rules. This is not for you if you have problems with authority or if you do not handle stress well. All of these professions are very, very stressful. They are also very, very satisfying and stimulating. Being a public servant will be the most fulfilling and heartbreaking career choice you can make. It takes a certain type of personality to effectively do this type of work, which is why personality profiling and psychological work-ups are often part of the hiring process.
The type of training necessary to be a public servant varies according to which field you are interested in. Some of these careers require university or college while others do not. Some of these careers like police work, start with a paid training program and a hands-on learning approach. To find out the education or training requirements of a given field contact the agency itself to inquire.
A Word to the Wise
Public service work is not for the weak of heart. Police officers, paramedics, firefighters and social workers deal with some of the most terrible things that happen in our world. In some cases you will routinely put your life and safety at risk while on the job. They are on the frontlines of life and life never really lets up. If you want to do this type of work be warned that it is emotionally, physically and mentally challenging. It is also very fulfilling and important.
More Choices
University, College or Career Training
Military Life or Straight to Work