Mayor Bloomberg: Skip college, become a plumber

don't really trust anything bloomberg says

It's good advice. College really isn't suited for a lot of people, an overabundance of people with degrees have seriously driven down the market value of many of them, and a skilled trade can be worth gold.

Some of what he said makes sense.

Frankly, many college students are wasting money by going to college. And it does not help that in America (yes, I am generalizing), we pretty much convince every school child that college is where they NEED to get to, and if they don't get to college, they are a failure.

It's good advice. College really isn't suited for a lot of people, an overabundance of people with degrees have seriously driven down the market value of many of them, and a skilled trade can be worth gold.

worlock77

yeah, people shouldn't just go to college because they think they have to in order to get a "good" job. Or because their parents want them to

I am not sure what to say about this. The report is only as good as 2013. Few years later, it will be another story again if everyone wants to be Mario. The concept is simple and sound, get a well paying skill set. But, it is hard to predict its supply and demand in the future.magicalclick

i don't think it necessarily means everyone should go out and be a plumber

you guys will get a kick out of this

Bloomberg Refused Second Slice of Pizza at Local Restaurant . http://dailycurrant.com/2013/05/02/bloomberg-refused-second-slice-of-pizza-at-local-restaurant/

I am not sure what to say about this. The report is only as good as 2013. Few years later, it will be another story again if everyone wants to be Mario. The concept is simple and sound, get a well paying skill set. But, it is hard to predict its supply and demand in the future.magicalclick

I doubt there's going to be an oversupply of plumbers. It's hardly a glamorous job, even if it pays well.

you guys will get a kick out of this

 

 

Bloomberg Refused Second Slice of Pizza at Local Restaurant . http://dailycurrant.com/2013/05/02/bloomberg-refused-second-slice-of-pizza-at-local-restaurant/

ThaneKrios28

Meh. The Daily Currant fails at being on The Onion's level.

I am not sure what to say about this. The report is only as good as 2013. Few years later, it will be another story again if everyone wants to be Mario. The concept is simple and sound, get a well paying skill set. But, it is hard to predict its supply and demand in the future.magicalclick

I don't so much think that becoming a plumber is a better future investment than going to college, I just think it's a huge freaking mistake how we've somehow managed to convince everyone that they're failures if they don't go to college. Some people are better off going to college, some people are better off skipping college and learning a trade. But yeah...I agree that many people would be better off becoming a plumber. MrGeezer

My same response in every thread like this: You get higher education because you are interested in learning. If money is the prime objective, than there are better ways to start making money.dramaybaz

[QUOTE="dramaybaz"]My same response in every thread like this: You get higher education because you are interested in learning. If money is the prime objective, than there are better ways to start making money.MrGeezer

There are many reasons why jobs that are high paying and do not require expensive education to do may be undersupplied.

If Bloomberg and the other socialists would stop subsidizing education then there would not be an overabundance of college degrees right now.Laihendi

[QUOTE="Laihendi"]If Bloomberg and the other socialists would stop subsidizing education then there would not be an overabundance of college degrees right now.Nuck81

I want to do something that I enjoy, don't really care about the money.

[QUOTE="Nuck81"][QUOTE="Laihendi"]If Bloomberg and the other socialists would stop subsidizing education then there would not be an overabundance of college degrees right now.Laihendi

As a college professor, I would encourage anyone interested in learning or specific careers to go to college. That being said, there are lots of great opportunities in various trades, and often they are well paying. 

One big issue I have with technical schools is that many are offering associates and bachelor's degrees, with instructors who do not have terminal degrees in their field. In my opinion, that is doing students who go in that direction a disservice. Techinal schools should be for trade education, and two-year and four-year schools should be for degrees.

If Bloomberg and the other socialists would stop subsidizing education then there would not be an overabundance of college degrees right now.Laihendi

Like that subsidized education you're getting?

Never liked or trusted him. But in these times a trade may be more flexible due to costly tuition and lack of job opportunities (way too many college grads are out of work). There is only but so many Doctors,Lawyers,Aaccountants the world needs. There are about 8 billion people in the world, there is no way you/we/us are going to find 8 billion jobs.

Find a skill you can provide as a service independently as well as within a company. A trade will grant you skills you can utilize immediately (plumbing, electrician, PC/electronic tech, medical assistant/radiology assistant, security specialists, etc... These jobs, depending where you reside can get you close to and/or bypass a six figure salary. Colleges are leaving many people oweing a crap load of money while struggling seeking out internships that actually turn into permanent work/careers. It depends on the individuals commitments/drive and connections to turn the college experience in to a worth while investment. Times are rough, the economies are dwindling.... so choose wisely.

[QUOTE="Nuck81"][QUOTE="Laihendi"]If Bloomberg and the other socialists would stop subsidizing education then there would not be an overabundance of college degrees right now.Laihendi

No

now go back to burning your parents' house down

you can learn a trade at college so i find that kinda funny. Avoid college and go to a college!

I do not necessarily agree with everything he states or tries to do, but most of this, I do agree with. New York City's billionaire mayor tells students that most of them should avoid a costly degree and instead learn a well-paying trade has the details. [quote="linked article"] Bloomberg may have a point. The 2010 median pay for plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters was almost $47,000, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. The median pay for all occupations was slightly more than $33,000. But the top 10% of plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters earned more than $79,000, the agency said. Even better, the job segment is projected to grow 26% through 2020, with new construction and a wave of retirements among older plumbers spurring employment. Bloomberg, whose net worth is estimated at $27 billion by Forbes, added that plumbing has another benefit in that it isn't suitable for outsourcing. "It's hard to farm that out, . . . and it's hard to automate that," Bloomberg said. WhiteKnight77

I don't necessarily agree with the mayor. But, surprise, surprise! Plumbing was one of my sidelines when I was just starting out long ago. There are different types of plumbing ranging from (home) construction, outdoor, maintenance, and gas lines. I quit after many years because it is dirty (often unsanitary) work and labor-intensive. Plus, I'm not the most precise with a backhoe. I have a few busted water mains under my belt. :lol:

I don't know about becoming a plumber. $47,000 isn't that much money. But I do agree that more people should learn a trade rather then go to college. I would recommend people avoid college unless you are focused on a specific career that both pays well and you need college training for.

 

Not to mention some people just weren't meant for college. I know a girl, isn't very smart (thats putting it lightly). She is trying to earn a degree and is paying for it by stripping and nude modeling on the side. She hates her job but desperately wants to get a degree. But I know for a fact that she isn't cut out for college, she barely got through high school. She keeps failing her classes and will end up staying in some form of the erotic entertainment industry because its easy money, if you can keep your looks. For someone like her she would be better off pursuing a trade, saving the expense, and quitting the job she hates. But she is trying so hard, I haven't the heart to tell her.Diablo-B

$47000 before taxes is higher than my salary with a PhD and 6 years experience.

A: go school math, english, science, history spend 2 years pick a major HOPING you end up with something you like for other 2+ years

B: figure somethings out you like and tackle it straight on. 

Pick your poison!  

I think that's elitist talk.

[QUOTE="Diablo-B"]I don't know about becoming a plumber. $47,000 isn't that much money. But I do agree that more people should learn a trade rather then go to college. I would recommend people avoid college unless you are focused on a specific career that both pays well and you need college training for.

 

....jimkabrhel

$47000 before taxes is higher than my salary with a PhD and 6 years experience.

[QUOTE="Diablo-B"]I don't know about becoming a plumber. $47,000 isn't that much money. But I do agree that more people should learn a trade rather then go to college. I would recommend people avoid college unless you are focused on a specific career that both pays well and you need college training for.

 

Not to mention some people just weren't meant for college. I know a girl, isn't very smart (thats putting it lightly). She is trying to earn a degree and is paying for it by stripping and nude modeling on the side. She hates her job but desperately wants to get a degree. But I know for a fact that she isn't cut out for college, she barely got through high school. She keeps failing her classes and will end up staying in some form of the erotic entertainment industry because its easy money, if you can keep your looks. For someone like her she would be better off pursuing a trade, saving the expense, and quitting the job she hates. But she is trying so hard, I haven't the heart to tell her.jimkabrhel

$47000 before taxes is higher than my salary with a PhD and 6 years experience.

[QUOTE="jimkabrhel"]

[QUOTE="Diablo-B"]I don't know about becoming a plumber. $47,000 isn't that much money. But I do agree that more people should learn a trade rather then go to college. I would recommend people avoid college unless you are focused on a specific career that both pays well and you need college training for.

 

....Diablo-B

$47000 before taxes is higher than my salary with a PhD and 6 years experience.

Chemistry. I'm a professor at a 2-year college in the midwest.