What's So Wrong With Blue Collar Jobs?

I just had a great chat with my 86-year-old dad, a retired electrical contractor. I told him I really believed we had become an over-educated society, that there is too much pressure on teens to go to traditional 4-year colleges; we are not really doing anyone any favors. We need plumbers and electricians, computer technicians and hairdressers. We need tech people to fix our Internet servers and home cable systems. We need people who can teach my parent's generation how to use their cell phones. Yes, we need different skills, not just the ones we learn in college.

His response: "You are talking about blue collar jobs, like mine. People look down on that. They should not."

Exactly. My dad is more successful than most of the people I know who went to college - and even graduate school. He tried college. It wasn't for him. He ran his own company, and he trained an entire generation of workers who can wire a sports stadium, or set up a fancy generator for a private home. He can read those blueprints that electrical engineers create, and he knows what will work and what will not. By anyone's definition, my dad is the American dream. He came from nothing; his parents were Russian immigrants; his dad ran a collision shop. He shared a childhood home with his aunts and uncles, and their kids. My dad made something of his life, his career. AND he did not go to college.

My mom's dad went to college - and medical school. She went to a local college to study business. She raised four kids while dad worked around-the-clock to support our family. They encouraged college but did not push it. My sisters earned masters degrees. My brother took over the family business.

I think college is great, and if appropriate and affordable, I believe it's a good thing for anyone. I went to college. My blue collar dad paid for it. Plus, I teach kids how to write college application essays. Of course I believe in college. But it's not for everyone. And even if it is, I don't know too many people who can afford it. So let's take a step back and consider what we need. 

This article gave me reason to pause and think. 

The digital economy is demanding a new set of skills. What's more, we don't have enough skilled trades people to fill our basic needs. The author, Jeffrey J. Selingo, says the problem is that the taxonomy of academic majors that broadened significantly over the past hundred years can no longer keep pace with the churn of knowledge needed to compete in nearly every profession. What are your thoughts?

Kim Lifton is president of Wow Writing Workshop, a strategic communication company staffed by experts who understand the writing process inside and out. Since 2009. Wow has been leading the industry with our unique approach to communicating any message effectively - and simply. The Wow Method helps businesses and nonprofit leaders create better blogs, manage social media, develop websites and create other communication materials. It also helps students write college application essays, grad school personal statements and resumes that get results.