Job Securing Tip #12: Build Options Into Your Children’s Careers
November 6th, 2009
Is it possible for a family to focus on anything more practical than securing the job of its main wage earner in today’s difficult economy? You may not think so until I suggest that the future career opportunities available to our children and grandchildren will command our anxious attention for years to come because the national economy will dictate so.
Where Is This Economy Going?
Do not be misled by the somewhat constant pronouncements by the national media that the “recession is over” because this is not factually accurate information. In truth, economists advise that there is no core relief in sight for the present economy and that the mounting multi-trillion dollar national debt will outlive our children and grandchildren – promising to undermine the quality of their lives. How do we best prepare our children to face this self-perpetuating economic challenge?
Career Options For Our Children
Clearly, parents who have intended to send their children to college should steadfastly remain dedicated to this cause. However, because the escalating national debt promises to marginalize career opportunity for some time to come (FYI: two years’ of college graduated seniors are now stacked up without job opportunities), it is important that parents counsel their children to build “living wage” options into their careers.
…our children should commit to acquiring a “skilled trade” to complement any college degree earned because America will always need skilled tradesmen…
This means that before, during and/or after the pursuit of a college education,
our children should commit to acquiring a “skilled trade” to complement any college degree earned because America will always need skilled tradesmen. Acquired skilled trades will maximize every American’s opportunity to earn a living wage pending the economy’s return to a full-employment mode, which some economists suggest may not be any time soon. However, once the economy does recover, our children would then have the option of applying their college degrees to seek career opportunity in the private sector, or of continuing on with their skilled trade employment status. All the bases would be covered.
To complicate matters, you should note that the Obama administration recently nationalized the College Student Loan Program, which suggests that you can expect a change in tuition loan dispensing policy. Be sure to monitor this program as your children approach college age.
Skilled trades represent a unique opportunity for our children to weather difficult economic times…
Skilled trade education is readily available through adult and vocational educational programs. Everyday examples of skilled trades are: electricians, welders, carpenters, plumbers, car/truck mechanics, masons, butchers, chefs/bakers, law enforcement, firefighters, nurses aides, barbers, court reporters, blacksmiths, dental hygienists and so on. The military, of course, presents another secure job opportunity, as do the always-necessary college degree-based professions of accounting, nursing, pharmacy and golf course superintendency. Many of the above listed trades and professions traditionally have had people shortages.
Never has it been more important in our country’s history to steer our children to secure nesting grounds as it is now. Make your case now, or your children may be living at home longer than you anticipate.
Superintendents, want to help your assistant(s) on their career path? Print out these Career Corner posts and responses on an ongoing basis and assemble them in a hard copy binder for your assistants and crew.4 Responses to “Job Securing Tip #12: Build Options Into Your Children’s Careers”
Leave a Reply
Loading ...
Jim – Good topic. In my family during my childhood there was no question that my brothers and sister and I were going to college and would have some sort of white collar career (if, of course, none of us made it to the NHL, so far as my father was concerned!).
I broke the mold and started out in the greenhouse business (hardly white collar) which morphed into a very brief stint with a landscape contractor (again, no white shirt there) that opened the door for me to get into the turf equipment business and ultimately start TurfNet. During those years I always took the time to get to know all the tradesmen and watch over their shoulders as much as I could — plumbers, electricians, welders, landscapers, etc. — and learn from them.
We have built two homes in the last five years and during the construction of each I made it a point to get to know the various subcontractors. To a person, they were all very intelligent, friendly, honest, highly skilled and took incredible pride in their work far above many people I know “earning” their living in so-called “professional” careers (witness investment bankers of late). I wouldn’t have had a problem inviting most of them over for dinner, and in fact we have.
And most of them earn a very good living, are happy and have more than ample time to spend with their families, go hunting or fishing, etc.
As manufacturing jobs continue to diminish, beyond those of us who sit at a computer or have advanced degrees and professional careers, the skilled trades offer almost a last bastion of security left. And they’re certainly nothing to be looked down on or be ashamed of because they don’t require a college degree to get a foot in the door.
[Reply]
Jim McLoughlin Reply:
November 6th, 2009 at 9:17 am
PETER:
Thanks for your comment above. You have added an important element to the concept of pursuing skilled trades; i.e., no individual will lose his/her “dignity” working outside the college degree environment.
[Reply]
John Cummings, CGCS Reply:
November 7th, 2009 at 9:28 am
Jim and Peter,
Dealing with what I’ve had to deal with over the past year, I have come to realize that I should have had something else to fall back upon. 30 years in this profession has been great (until ‘08), but at 52…I don’t know much else, regretably. Changing careers (or profession or job) may be necessary now….but to what!!??
[Reply]
Jim McLoughlin Reply:
November 7th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
JOHN:
I am familiar with many professional men who have lost jobs and were finding it difficult to earn a living for any number of reasons. While you encourage everyone to continue to seek employment, most unemployed men get started again by forming their own company – generally a “consulting” company that will allow them to apply their specific skills.
Check with Steve Renzetti at: srenzetti@verizon.net and ask for the web site addresses of the new companies he formed after losing his job as a respected superintendent.This will give you insight into what is possible when you consider working for yourself.
Good Luck.