17
Shoutout to my high school guidance counselor who told me to skip college for a trade
Back in 2009, Mrs. Patterson pulled me aside and said 'you're not built for sitting in a lecture hall, go learn something with your hands.' I was embarrassed at first because everyone else was applying to universities. I went to a 10 month HVAC program at our local tech center instead of a 4 year degree. Now I make around $65k a year with full benefits and zero student loans. Has anyone else had a counselor give advice that actually worked out better than the normal path?
2 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In2 Comments
veramiller3d agoRising Star
Right there with you! My counselor steered me to welding school. Best decision ever.
5
river_hall443d ago
You said "steered to welding school" like it was a good thing. I had a counselor pull the same move on me in 2006. Told me I was good with my hands and should skip college. I went, got certified, and spent five years doing overhead welding in a shipyard. Ruined my shoulders by 30 and my back by 35. Now I'm 42 and can barely lift my kid. That counselor was just trying to fill a quota.
5