For decades, the stigma around trade school has plagued the educational setting. Some who have earned a college degree may look down on individuals who attended trade school. Such individuals believe there is no caliber in a trade school certificate compared to attending a top school in the nation and receiving a degree. However, these college graduates fail to realize some important factors. For example, who are the workers who help repair the elevators people take to their office every day? Who are the ones who manufacture the airplanes used for business trips? Who are the technicians helping to diagnose medical conditions? Without such workers, big companies and their college-educated employees would suffer.
Trade school not only teaches valuable skills that are seen everywhere, but they offer a specialized education for much less of a cost than a four-year college, potentially leaving trade school students with less debt and with the required skills required to enter into the “real world.” On the other hand, some trade schools have tuition costs that are equivalent to those of a four-year college, which only further proves the point that trade school is just as valuable as college. If one is to pay the same amount for trade school as college, does this not mean both institutions should hold equal value?
Many people are forced to assess their career goals and contemplate whether they are “conventional” and worth the expense and effort to pursue. The reality is college is not the right choice for everyone, and oftentimes individuals miss out on great opportunities offered through trade schools simply because of the negative stigma often associated with them. Junior Madison Benedict shared, “[Pursuing a trade] is good, [and those who want to] should do it even though it is looked down upon.” Sophomore Reid Linzer added, “It’s good if you want to learn a trade, and [trade school] effectively trains you for your job.” Lastly, junior Sophia Muller expressed, “[Trade school is] useful [because of] less debt, [and it] helps many find a job. It should definitely be an option for children.” These perspectives showcase strong and positive opinions in support of trade school and the education one can receive from choosing this path.
Trade school is a worthwhile option that allows students to follow their dreams and discover opportune ways to find a career and future success. According to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, those who go to trade school have a 75% chance of finding employment after they finish their education (nces.ed.gov). Pursuing a trade school education and finding highly demanded career paths such as becoming a plumber, electrician, or technician can certainly prove to be just as valuable and lucrative as those who obtain jobs with a traditional college education.
