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Can your child have a successful career without going to college?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in some cases the answer is yes.

The dream of 18-year-old Travis Murphy is to become an auto mechanic for Mercedes.

“From what I’ve been told, [in] their first year they make around 40-thousand,” says Travis, “and then it just continuously goes up from there – with more certifications and experience.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics– the U.S. will need 34-thousand new mechanics every year through 2014.

But some kids think repairing cars is beneath them.

“It is something that is, for certain populations, frowned upon – because it is not considered more of a professional job, says Debbie Brown, a career coach and consultant. “But those jobs can be very well-paying, depending on what you want to do and your skill level.”

Brown says that, while some blue-collar jobs like manufacturing and textiles are disappearing or getting outsourced, others, like plumbing, carpentry, and electrical work pay well and are in demand.

“If your car breaks down, you have to get it serviced if you want it to keep running,” she notes. “So sometimes people will put off repairs for a little bit, but they can’t put them off for too long.”

What’s more, she says, some students will enjoy physical jobs where they can work with their hands.

“And there’s so many people who are just not suited to sitting in front of a desk,” says Brown.

If students choose a trade instead of college, she says, parents should help them get the best possible training.

“Find out what the best trade and technical schools are in your community; two-year colleges, technical schools,” she advises. “Talk to these people, find out the best match in terms of the program for them – and get them into the best programs, so they can get the best skills and the best training.”

Travis, meanwhile, works on cars for half the day at his Vo-Tech school.

When he graduates, he’ll spend a year and a half at a technical college.

“And then after that I plan on taking the advanced test to get into the Mercedes Elite program, so I can go and be a certified Mercedes mechanic,” he says.

To be even more marketable, experts say, students can pursue certifications after they enter the workforce -to help them get the most complex, highest-paying assignments.

What We Need To Know

• Have your child be realistic about their strengths and weaknesses when choosing a trade. Some vocations require a person to be physically fit and have good manual dexterity. (Debbie Brown, Career Coach and Consultant)




• High School guidance counselors can be a tremendous resource for students looking to get the best training in their profession. Find out if any programs within the high school allow students to get hands-on experience in their chosen field. (Debbie Brown, Career Coach and Consultant)




• The Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website, can be a valuable resource. It has a wealth of information regarding job salaries, outlook, and the skills required for various professions. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)




• Entrepreneurship skills can be an asset for students entering professions such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and auto mechanics. (Debbie Brown, Career Coach and Consultant)

Resources

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook
• Debbie Brown, Career Coach and Consultant
• U.S. Department of Labor

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