This was the response I was looking for! (And I hope there are equally more that think the opposite of me and are willing to post up as well.
One of the things that I always question is, if you didnt have the electrical engineering degree, would you have been given the opportunities along your journey? There was a point where people simply stop looking at resumes if your education doesn't even show a 4 year degree.
How do you think times have changed from then to now? GIven your life experience, do you think those old hard working trade concepts have disappeared? I have buddy of mine who is a union carpenter, as a structural engineer, we have a lot of overlap in the construction industry. He makes $30,000USD more than I do. I am super proud of him to have gotten out of the poor slumps we grew up in, but the reality is that I always felt like a college degree, in engineering none the less should pay more.
"opportunities" - In Germany, absolutely not. No certificate, wrong cert, NO job. Even flipping burgers requires a 2-year cert from catering or food service school (or youngsters are expected to attend one when on the job already).
In America, most likely yes. With a caveat: I have always been a go-getter with a persistence bordering stalking. If I want the job, you either give it to me or get a restraining order. :-) I can sell this charmingly so it impresses people rather than annoy them.
This may not work for everyone and it is not suitable when dealing with large corporations; one needs access to the decision maker. Back then it was still possible to ambush corporate people, in the elevator if necessary. Today? I doubt it. Todays bean counters would probably feel more threatened than anything else.
Anyway, such a personality is more suited to self employment. Why hunt for jobs if you can hunt for customers instead, right?
I think the old work ethics and the pride in mastering one's trade have largely disappeared. Which is a HUGE opportunity for the few master tradesmen remaining! Think about your own life: If you have "a good guy" for car repair, carpet installation, plumbing, painting, even a plain handyman, you STICK with them come hell or high water, and recommend them to all your friends. Right?
Which probably explains your friend's excellent pay check. Stateside you say "Good help is hard to find." Exactly! In Germany, we say "Tradecraft is built on a golden foundation." Exactly!
If you NEVER want to be unemployed in your life, don't go to college. Learn how to COOK, cook well. :-)
Well said! I'm working on a blog for tomorrow right now. I would love if you could comment on my blog tomorrow since it is much more personal and related to my job. I like the idea of hunting for customers rather than a job, but that in itself is a risky proposition since my field of work often goes to large companies rather than smaller ones.
"...comment..." - No prob. I'm following you, so it will pop up in my feed.
"...rather than a job..." - Self employment / freelancing is not for everyone. It came up because it illustrates my vita and you definitely don't need a college degree to get there (but it helps). For employment, one hunts occasionally. For customers or freelance jobs, ALL THE TIME. Very stressful for people who don't enjoy that kind of thing, or deal well with rejection.
Not to forget: How does your significant other feel about it, especially in financial slumps? On 9/11 I was in real estate, no listings, only relocation buyers acquired on-line. With people scared to fly (remember?) and an entire country insecure about the future, I sold JACK to nobody for months. Serious belt tightening ensued, and the wife hated it more than she "loved" me. Divorce, significant portions of the nest egg to her and the lawyers...