Re: degrees

On Sat, 19 Oct 2024 11:18:23 -0700, Don Y
<blockedofcourse@foo.invalid> wrote:

On 10/19/2024 9:50 AM, bitrex wrote:

It acts like there's some nice low-risk generic "baseline job" you can get with
just a high school degree in the US, there isn't.

>
Waiting tables?  Fast food counter-person?  Here, they are:  landscapers,
swimming pool cleaners, etc.  Your total "investment" is the means of
transportation you use to get to the gigs.
>

You can do about one of three things (unless work for your Daddy is an option):
go into the trades,

>
Tradesmen tend to have trouble as they age and their bodies can't
keep up with the demands of their trade.  So, you have to aspire
(and work) to become a "Master" so you can have "Apprentices"
in your later years *or* stash a lot of your earnings (after
union dues) and hope to retire early.  Nothing sadder than some
carpenter, roofer, automechanic, etc. doubled over with back
problems from advanced age.
>

try to start your own business and probably fail, or get a

>
It takes a particular mindset and level of discipline to
"have no boss".  And, in order to remain viable, a keen eye
on the trends in your particular market.
>

low-paid job in the service industry about which every right-winger will tell
you "just get a better job!" if you complain.

>
All of the "low end" jobs effectively pay the same.  A job
may be "better" in some sense (working conditions, hours,
job description) but rarely a significant enough boost in
income to move you into a higher socioeconomic class.
>

Or some combination.

>

How about a plumber at $150 an hour?