For Certain Work, a Trade is the Way to Go

With the economy the way it is, and our country in a recession, it's best to go with the odds. It's best to go with the odds in investing, it's best to go with the odds in any other money-handling, and it's best to go with the odds as far as career training.

Sure, some economists predict that the recession will be over in twelve to eighteen months. But these are only predictions. The recession very well may end in that period of time, but it's impossible to predict what the economy will be like in four or five years, or eight to ten.

Because of this uncertainty, I believe it is a wise choice to pursue a trade. Trades such as carpentry, plumbing, and roofing have a roughly constant level of demand, regardless of the condition of the economy. Granted, people might not choose to have "elective" repairs or improvements done on their homes, but places like businesses, colleges, and hospitals will always need maintenance. People will always need work done on their cars. Nurses will always be needed in hospitals and nursing homes.

A trade is an especially good idea for someone that can't afford college or isn't interested in college. Learning a trade gives you a set of skills that you can take with you wherever you go, whereas a desk job might teach you how to use computer programs or filing systems used only within a specific company. You can work as part of someone else's business, or you can start your own business. And even if you eventually go into a different career, you can perhaps pick up a few hundred extra dollars on the weekend by advertising your skills through word of mouth.

It's difficult to know or predict the direction in which the economy is heading. Likewise, it's hard to know what businesses or industries will survive the recession, let alone be profitable in five to ten years. However, certain trades are sure to be around for as long as we can imagine. As long as homes use electricity, electricians will be needed. As long as homes use plumbing, plumbers will be needed. As long as homes need roofs, roofers will be needed.

For those that cannot afford college, are not interested in college, or that have not decided on a career, a trade is a good thing to consider. Not just because it's honest work, but because it's certain work.

Have any thoughts on career choices in this economy? Know someone in a trade that has had experiences that have validated or invalidated the opinions expressed in this article? Feel free to share your thoughts in the form of a comment. Thank you for reading!