Careers in STEM - without a PhD.

[jpetito]

Forget not the so-called Blue Collar jobs that go begging for lack of knowledge in mechanical aptitude and basic, practically-applied science and math.

If we can get past the biases that exist in the wider culture and the educationist intelligentsia, there are plenty of high-paying, cognitively challenging jobs in things like air conditioning, working for the local power company (with a little overtime, young people in my area [Los Angeles] are making six figures), elevator mechanic, a lot more.

[Mr. Mike]

Here in the Midwest there many skilled trade positions that are going unfilled due to lack of qualified people.
Someone who has taken a machining course in their vocational high school will start out at $12.00 or more per hour. That’s $28,500 per year working 45 hrs a week. Now after 4 years they will easily making $15.00 and up. That’s $35,625 per year working the same 45 hrs and no college debt. Now if they decide to pursue a degree most companies will reimburse for college courses related to their field. Again no college debt.
BTW Many of the juniors’ in our local vocational are working part time in machine shops. By the time they graduate they are already taken. Top machinist and tool makers, after 10 years, can reach the 6 figure mark.

Mr. Mike

[ebarker]

Here is another interesting item on how to make a lot of money without a university degree

Success in the New Economy

[techhelpbb]

Have an Associates of Applied Science from a Community College.
I was also a Valedictorian at the local Vocational Technical School.

Own several small business in: automation, computers and engineering.
Have work of mine in the U.S. Military and laced throughout the World's financial markets.
Work for a major financial institution in management and technology.
I make a good living(s).

It is not about your degree.
It is about: opportunity, focus and perseverance.

Fine example: Bill Gates
http://content.time.com/time/special...988082,00.html

This is NOT to say college is without merit.
There are many cases were focus on college and persevering it will increase your opportunity.
Just was not how my life played out.
My brother followed the same path as me.
Ended up with a Bachelor's from NJIT and I really find it hard to regret my decisions considering what he's gone through with that degree.

[jpetito]

Mr. Mike-

You've got it pegged right. On the Left Coast the same thing exists, though the wages are much higher (cost of living equivalency). Would that public school educators get this into their heads and bring a version of technical and vocational education to the regular school day.

[Monochron]

Originally Posted by jpetito

Would that public school educators get this into their heads and bring a version of technical and vocational education to the regular school day.

A lot already do. My highschool for example had CAD and drafting classes, "Digital electronics" (basic circuits and "electrical technician style work"), an automotive class, and one or two more that I don't remember. What we need is pressure from those above school administrators to make these kinds of classes more common. The educators themselves don't really get to teach whatever they feel like....

[jpetito]

Hi Brian--

We do pretty good with the digital and sometimes CAD stuff, and the plastic printers and CNC routers are pretty. But we need more of a style of education that teaches the operation of basic hand and machine tools, within a project-based environment. Bringing back something like machine shop or the sheet metal shop will be impossible in the current environment, but project-based learning that incorporates the underlying skills needed in the workplace can be translated into any workplace.

Educators complain that this kind of work is dated; it's "manufacturing" and single-minded, single-skilled in an era where they believe manufacturing is old-school and revanchist. They have no clue that the foundational skills are what keep this country operational and the digital and all the other gear functioning.

The biggest reason I got into FRC is it's the only thing on campus that plays to those hand/eye/brain skills so needed in the workplace.

Joe.