Help Wanted...
Or, Do You Want to Help Yourself?
We have a strange situation in the United States right now. We have almost 7 million people who are unemployed (read: actively looking for work), but we can’t go one mile without seeing a “Help Wanted” or “Now Hiring” sign at local businesses. It seems that the work is out there, if you want it. So why is this happening? And what could it mean for you?
I’m not technically in the market for a job right now — so why do I need to pay attention?
It’s important to understand supply and demand. When someone really needs something, he is willing to do what it takes to get it, especially if inventory or time is limited. Sometimes this means expending a lot of energy to create it, sometimes it means spending a lot of time getting it done, and sometimes it means paying more to ensure that he gets it. For instance, if I forgot that Mom’s birthday was tomorrow and really wanted to get her present there on time, I would probably pay extra to have it overnighted to her. Or if some resource (such as bath tissue!) is limited, I might notice that stores have had to increase the price as a result of the difficulty and expense of getting it and keeping it in stock. The same principle will apply to human capital; if the number of employees is limited, employers will spend more to retain them and will compete to acquire new ones.
I still don’t know how this affects ME — I don’t have the background or education to get a better-paying or different job.
What all this means for you is that this is the most exciting time in recent history to explore a new career. Employers are urgently seeking workers in all sectors, but the Skilled Trades are in the unique position to be able to offer relatively high pay for relatively low experience. Many fields within the Trades have a place for you with just a high school diploma — any post-secondary training that you bring with you on your first day is the cherry on top in the eyes of your new boss. Frequently this initial training will instead be paid for by your new employer; this way they know exactly what you are learning and can allow you to put it to use in a practical sense right away. Many employers would rather see a good work ethic and a gung-ho attitude — in addition to the aptitude for learning their trade — as opposed to a 2- or 4-year degree that still doesn’t cover the nitty-gritty of the day-to-day needs of their business. They will teach you what they need you to know, in the way that they want you to know it. And they will pay you for the privilege.
What kind of pay are we talking about?
As it turns out, even entry-level tradesmen can make $16-20 an hour. A cursory Indeed search of just six of the better-known job titles — plumber, HVAC, carpenter, machinist, heavy equipment operator, heavy equipment mechanic — resulted in over 128,000 jobs today, with almost 35,000 of those being listed in the last two weeks. Of those 35,000 jobs, 72% of them paid $20 an hour or more. Of the 128,000 total jobs in these fields that are currently listed on Indeed, 56% of them are considered entry-level, and an average of almost 70% of those entry-level jobs pay $20 or more per hour. Any way you slice it, an entry-level job that pays almost $40,000 per year, provides benefits, and pays for your education is something that deserves a second look. And these fields are just the tip of the Skilled Trades iceberg.
What is the next step?
Are you in high school right now, feeling confused about what to do after graduation? Consider your hobbies and interests — if you already have some experience or knowledge in a certain field, imagine if you could do that every day as a means of supporting yourself and your future family. Do you love airplanes? You could be an aircraft mechanic for a major airline or even the military. Do you love taking things apart to see how they work? So many fields start with this premise: engineering, mechanics, electrical, etc. Do you like to create things from scratch? Carpenters, machinists, and even chefs start with blank slates and work their magic. Start talking with people now: visit local mechanics or studios or factories, talk with your parents’ friends in different trades, take a class through the tech center in your local school district, or get online and do the research the same way you would for a university you are considering. Get a part-time job in that field to see its inner workings. No one can do this for you.
If, however, you are already working, perhaps paying on the school debt you accumulated, look at your career path. If you are not happy today, determine at what point in your current job you will be happy. If it isn’t a clear vision (i.e. medical residency is difficult and no fun but I will soon have my own practice), you might consider a different career with more tangible results, especially if you dread going to your day job but love your weekend hobbies. Work is necessary for us in many ways — monetarily, physically, and emotionally. If there is a career option that allows us to love what we HAVE to do anyway — work —why shouldn’t we choose that path?