3 ms·

I wonder how many of us would encourage their children to go into a blue-collar career that may pay around $60K/year. My guess is not many; I wouldn't.

bell-cot 4y ago
"Us" == folks earning nicely into the 6 figures in comfy computer jobs? I'd bet you're right. vs. "Us" == people living in America, where ~1/2 of households have an annual income below that figure? Hopefully a few more have managed to avoid drinking the "everyone should go to college" Kool-Aid.
- hotpotamus 4y ago
  While there is no test or requirement to join this site (I imagine I'd fail it if there was), I'm willing to bet that there is a certain demographic that is over-represented on HN. And it's not just "the elite" who will tell their children to get an education - working class people also have aspirations for their children. They know as well as anyone the value that modern America places on labor; not much.
  - bell-cot 4y ago
    > ...the value that modern America places on labor; not much. Yes. But at least since the "glory days" of Jack Welsh at GE, "labor" is anyone outside of the C-suite and their close friends. How many cushy-job college grads did the FAANG gang just axe?
    - hotpotamus 4y ago
      I don't disagree that they are all members of the proletariat, but you know what I mean by labor in this context.
yuppie_scum 4y ago
Have you tried to hire a plumber, electrician, GC lately? They are in extremely short supply and command premium rates. I doubt any of the ones I have worked for are pulling in less than six figures. Also, keep in mind these jobs do not require a $320,000 piece of paper to qualify either. I would certainly had a better time in my 20’s making 60k with no student loans than what I actually ended up netting. I will 100% encourage my child to gain some awareness of the trades and do a value analysis on post-secondary career paths.
- hotpotamus 4y ago
  I hired an HVAC contractor last year to repair my AC. In conversation it came up that he was making about $50K/year. My neighbor some years ago worked as a general laborer of some sort and told me he was thrilled to be making $18/hour. I can see why you might think these are highly paid positions based on what you are billed, but I find that those are not always connected.

bell-cot 4y ago

"Us" == folks earning nicely into the 6 figures in comfy computer jobs? I'd bet you're right. vs. "Us" == people living in America, where ~1/2 of households have an annual income below that figure? Hopefully a few more have managed to avoid drinking the "everyone should go to college" Kool-Aid.

hotpotamus 4y ago
While there is no test or requirement to join this site (I imagine I'd fail it if there was), I'm willing to bet that there is a certain demographic that is over-represented on HN. And it's not just "the elite" who will tell their children to get an education - working class people also have aspirations for their children. They know as well as anyone the value that modern America places on labor; not much.
- bell-cot 4y ago
  > ...the value that modern America places on labor; not much. Yes. But at least since the "glory days" of Jack Welsh at GE, "labor" is anyone outside of the C-suite and their close friends. How many cushy-job college grads did the FAANG gang just axe?
  - hotpotamus 4y ago
    I don't disagree that they are all members of the proletariat, but you know what I mean by labor in this context.

yuppie_scum 4y ago

Have you tried to hire a plumber, electrician, GC lately? They are in extremely short supply and command premium rates. I doubt any of the ones I have worked for are pulling in less than six figures. Also, keep in mind these jobs do not require a $320,000 piece of paper to qualify either. I would certainly had a better time in my 20’s making 60k with no student loans than what I actually ended up netting. I will 100% encourage my child to gain some awareness of the trades and do a value analysis on post-secondary career paths.

hotpotamus 4y ago
I hired an HVAC contractor last year to repair my AC. In conversation it came up that he was making about $50K/year. My neighbor some years ago worked as a general laborer of some sort and told me he was thrilled to be making $18/hour. I can see why you might think these are highly paid positions based on what you are billed, but I find that those are not always connected.