Thursday, May 22, 2014

Manufacturing Is Where Future Jobs Are

Currently college commencements are under way across the United States. Tens of thousands of students will soon be graduating more indebted than ever before. Right now total student debt stands around $1.2 trillion. And that only represents a tiny fraction of the money most parents pay upfront. Around here it's not unusual for a four year college degree to cost around a total $250,000.

Even more troubling is the fact that only about 17% of the graduates have a job lined up. Perhaps one of the reasons is kids today want white collar management and desk jobs. I've had my hands slapped more then a few times by today's recent graduates who said to me manufacturing jobs are "crappy jobs". Well good luck with that. This is the kind of attitude that explains why many recent college graduates end up back home living sponging off daddy and mommy in their old rooms.

USA Today published this article on May 16th, 2014 with the headline, "Selling manufacturing to a new generation". The article mentioned there are about 700,000 unfilled jobs in manufacturing that the average pay is around $77,505 a year as of 2012.

I don't know how many times I've said it here on this blog that not only colleges but trade schools are the way to go. They pay the most bang for the buck when it comes to investing money on education. Make no mistake about it. Education is an investment in which one hopes to make return on it. Not everybody can start out being in management. Even the failed Bethlehem Steel had only one boss for every seven workers. There can only be so many mangers. Someone actually has to do the work that "managers" manage..

United States companies need to compete globally at all levels. Graduates who haven't landed a job most likely were ones that companies felt couldn't fulfill that mission. Anyone trying to make themselves look a cut above the rest and failing to choose their course selections wisely have failed to convince companies of their worth. Otherwise they would have been hired. This is another reason why I'm against forgiveness against student debts.

Yes I do feel for them, but in the business world only the those who have taken courses that show they are attuned to the needs of business are those who demonstrated they're deserving of a job. If a student wants to take pottery making as a major rather then settle on something in the manufacturing sector or a blue collar job because they are prideful, then so-be-it. Just don't expect other taxpayers to pick up the tab for bad choices that may have been made.

Sorry that there's no nice way to say it. In this highly competitive world it's dog eat dog. Anyone willing to do what it takes (even if they prefer not to do certain jobs) will be the ones that will end up the winners over losers who refuse to concede. Anyone who feels they are more valuable then someone else needs to become just that. Otherwise plan on living with mommy and daddy or the in-laws for a good long time.

In short
Someone needs to look into what jobs are most in demand and pay the most. If someone has further aspirations pursue them on the side after one finds a means to first provide for themselves. Dreams and aspirations are a good thing, but only one in a million ever are fortunate enough in having them become a reality. One has to first and foremost take care of business as a matter of practicality. If one feels they are too good for certain jobs, chances are they will be disappointed with how things turn out.

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