Skilled Trades: The Golden Ticket to a Six-Figure Career

I was always told that the only way to be successful was to go to a four-year university. So I did. I graduated with a degree in philosophy and a pile of debt, only to find myself working a job I hated. A friend of mine, an electrician, suggested I join his union. I was hesitant at first, thinking it was a step backward. I couldn't have been more wrong. The skilled trades are suffering from a massive labor shortage in America, which means if you have the skills, you are in incredibly high demand. I’m now a licensed electrician, and I make more money than most of my friends who went the corporate route. Plus, I have zero student debt. Plumbers, welders, HVAC technicians—these are essential jobs that pay exceptionally well. Apprenticeships allow you to earn while you learn. If you’re a hands-on person who doesn’t want to be stuck behind a desk, look into your local unions or trade schools. It’s honest, challenging work that builds real infrastructure, and it’s a career path that is only going to grow.