If you’re not on a path to become a doctor, lawyer, CPA, or engineer—and you don’t want to rack up tens of thousands of dollars in student loans—Roger has one key piece of advice: explore a career in the skilled trades.
Below, we’ll break down the compelling reasons why skipping college for a trade job might lead to greater financial stability, job satisfaction, and genuine success in life. If you want your future to involve high-demand skills, immediate earning potential, and real community, read on.
Sponsored by the Wakefield App
Before diving in, here’s a quick shout-out to the sponsor of Roger’s message: the Wakefield App. This online community is dedicated to tradespeople looking to learn, share resources, and boost one another’s success. If you’re ready to connect with fellow pros in the trades, visit Wakefield.app on your computer to discover the latest features and start building your professional network.
Eliminating Debt from the Start
One of Roger’s biggest talking points is the enormous burden of student loans. In many cases, new college graduates walk away with $30,000 to $200,000 in debt—before they’ve even landed their first job. At a national scale, student loan debt tops well over a trillion dollars. For decades, people assumed that a four-year degree was a ticket to higher lifetime earnings and more job opportunities. But the landscape is changing.
When you choose a skilled trade—plumbing, electrical, HVAC, carpentry, and more—you typically earn money from day one. Instead of paying tuition and piling up loans, you get paid to learn. The difference is profound:
- You begin building your savings right away.
- You avoid interest payments that can follow you for years or even decades.
- You can use your early career income to invest, save for a house, or start a business—rather than just servicing debt.
Not all trade routes are completely free, of course. Some people opt for trade or vocational schools that have modest tuition costs. Even so, these programs tend to be far cheaper than a four-year university. In many cases, companies that hire apprentices also subsidize any formal education you need. The bottom line: skipping college often means skipping crippling debt.
Learning in Real Time, All the Time
Another benefit Roger highlights is the hands-on learning environment in the trades. Instead of sitting in a classroom memorizing facts for exams—some of which you’ll likely never use—you’re out on job sites mastering practical skills.
Picture a typical day on a construction site or out in the field with a plumbing or electrical team:
- Every single hour, you’re applying the principles of your trade.
- You’re problem-solving in real-world conditions.
- You’re getting immediate feedback from seasoned professionals.
In contrast, a traditional college route might have you studying topics unrelated to your chosen career (like history or social sciences) for the first couple of years. While there’s value in a broad education, many students struggle to see how those classes relate to their future career goals, especially if they’re going into specialized fields that don’t require a broad liberal arts background.
Building Practical Skills That Matter
Skilled trades are, by definition, rooted in practicality. Plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, and other tradespeople use tools, knowledge, and critical thinking to solve tangible problems. That sense of practicality means you develop essential life skills beyond your job:
- Mechanical aptitude: You’re comfortable with tools and mechanical systems, whether you’re installing a water heater or troubleshooting an electrical circuit.
- Strategic thinking: When you knock down a wall or reroute a set of pipes, you’ve got to plan carefully to avoid costly mistakes.
- Adaptability: No two jobs are exactly alike, so you learn to think on your feet and adapt to new challenges.
These skills might not only make you a more attractive job candidate in the trades, they can also help you in everyday life. Whether you’re building furniture, fixing something around the house, or helping a friend with a home improvement project, you’ll have confidence in your own abilities.
Strong Job Security
Roger emphasizes that right now is the best time ever to enter the trades. Across the U.S., there are about one million unfilled positions in the skilled trades—and experts anticipate that number could triple over the next few years. Baby boomers are retiring faster than new workers can replace them, creating a massive gap.
For every 10 tradespeople who retire, only about four new ones step in. If you’re aiming for long-term job security, or you have entrepreneurial ambitions to eventually run your own company, this is a golden opportunity. As demand outstrips supply, skilled tradespeople will find themselves in a prime negotiating position—better pay, better benefits, and more professional freedom.
Pride, Satisfaction, and Professionalism
Many college students graduate feeling disillusioned, unsure of whether they’ve chosen the right major, or stuck in a job that doesn’t fit their passion. In the trades, however, your sense of purpose is often clear: you fix problems and build things people rely on every day.
- Plumbers keep homes, hospitals, and businesses functioning smoothly.
- Electricians literally power the modern world, ensuring safe wiring and reliable energy.
- HVAC technicians control temperatures so people can live and work comfortably.
- Carpenters craft structures and beautify spaces.
Roger shares his own pride in pointing to a job site and saying, “I built that.” Tradespeople often share that same pride, ready to show off their handiwork. It’s a tangible reflection of their expertise and craftsmanship.
Community and Camaraderie
In the trades, you’re never truly alone. You generally work in teams, learning from more experienced mentors, and eventually mentoring those who come after you. Roger describes how all the “brothers and sisters” gather during safety meetings or daily briefings, supporting one another on the job.
That sense of community can be a stark contrast to some office environments where cubicles isolate coworkers, or to academic settings where students might feel like just another face in a lecture hall. When you’re in the trades, you’re part of a collective effort. Each person depends on the next to do their job safely and correctly.
What About Entrepreneurship?
For those with a strong entrepreneurial spirit, the trades are fertile ground. Once you’ve got a few years of experience under your belt—and the confidence that comes with it—you can start your own business. Many trade workers dream of running their own shop or contracting company.
The best part is that you’ll truly understand every facet of the work, from quoting a job properly to ensuring top-quality craftsmanship. If you combine your technical know-how with good business sense—marketing, customer service, leadership—you can build a thriving company. And with the shortage of tradespeople, the market for small to mid-sized contracting businesses is wide open.
The Power of Ambition: Becoming the Best
Roger closes with a challenge to anyone entering the trades (or really any field): aim to be the best. He references The Dip by Seth Godin, which underscores the idea that you should strive for excellence.
- Show up early, ready to learn. Your supervisors and mentors will take note, and you’ll advance faster.
- Stay curious. Ask questions about new materials, tools, or techniques.
- Help others. Whether you’re coaching a fellow apprentice or lending a hand in the shop, becoming known as a team player improves your reputation.
- Never settle. If you find yourself stuck in a company or role that doesn’t let you grow, it might be time to move on.
By focusing on becoming the best, you ensure long-term success. In the trades, skill and reputation go hand in hand. A plumber known for impeccable pipework or an electrician with zero callback ratio becomes a sought-after professional.
Tangible Steps for Getting Started
- Do Your Research: Identify which trade resonates most with your interests—plumbing, electrical, carpentry, HVAC, or something else. Look at the local demand, typical wages, and standard apprenticeship lengths.
- Find an Apprenticeship or Entry-Level Job: Reach out to local trade companies or unions. Many will be thrilled to train a motivated person from scratch.
- Consider Vocational Schools: If you want a more structured environment, vocational schools or community colleges can teach core concepts. Some states or regions offer partial tuition assistance for these programs.
- Download the Wakefield App: Engage with a network of tradespeople who share tips, job leads, and insights into growing your skill set.
- Commit to Lifelong Learning: Even after you’re a journeyman or licensed tradesperson, keep learning about new technology, tools, and techniques. Innovation is everywhere, even in the trades.
Comparing the Trades vs. Traditional College
- Cost: College can cost tens of thousands in tuition. Trades, by contrast, often pay you to learn.
- Time to Start Earning: Four-year degrees mean zero (or minimal) income for the duration. An apprentice earns on day one.
- Skill Development: College might teach theoretical knowledge, but trades revolve around immediate, practical tasks.
- Career Certainty: Some college grads struggle to find jobs in their major or pivot into unrelated fields. Tradespeople, however, find a steady market with consistent shortages of skilled labor.
- Entrepreneurial Edge: Starting a contracting business often requires less overhead than many white-collar startups, and the demand for your services can be substantial.
Common Objections or Concerns
- “But I want the college experience.”
You can still gain valuable social experiences outside of a university setting. Many trade workers form tight bonds on the job site, and you can always take classes or join social clubs part-time if you want. - “I want to keep my options open.”
A trade career doesn’t lock you down. You could still decide to go to college later. In fact, many tradespeople who later pursue college do so with savings instead of loans. - “A college degree guarantees respect and status.”
This notion is changing quickly. Skilled trades are increasingly viewed as essential, highly respectable professions—especially as fewer people enter them. Pride in craftsmanship often trumps a piece of paper from a four-year institution. - “Will I make as much money as a college graduate?”
That depends on your field, drive, and skill. Many plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians quickly surpass the median salary of various college majors—especially when factoring in zero student debt.
A Note on Safety and Licensure
It’s worth highlighting that in many skilled trades, you’ll eventually need to earn professional licenses (e.g., a plumbing or electrical license) that require passing certain exams. Local unions or apprenticeship programs help you prepare for these. Safety training is also paramount, including OSHA guidelines and site-specific training. Because you’re working with specialized equipment, potential hazards, and sometimes in high-risk environments, safety is no small matter. But as long as you follow established protocols and keep learning, you can thrive without major incidents.
Finding Community in the Trades
One of the best aspects of skipping college to pursue real success in the trades is the built-in community. From day one, you’ll work alongside people who share your goals: mastering a skill, putting in an honest day’s work, and helping others. You’ll find a brotherhood and sisterhood that can last a lifetime, reminiscent of the environment Roger describes in the video.
If you want to deepen that community, connect with mentors and peers through the Wakefield App. Knowing that you can ask advice, get feedback on tricky installs, or just share your daily experiences with like-minded folks can keep you motivated and on track.
Aim High and Stand Out
So you’ve decided to skip college and head into the trades. How do you become an outstanding apprentice and eventual journeyman (or contractor)? Roger suggests:
- Be coachable: Listen closely to senior pros on the job site. They’ve earned their expertise over decades.
- Arrive early, stay late: Show that you’re eager and reliable. This alone can set you apart.
- Practice beyond work hours: Watch tutorial videos, read trade magazines, and experiment at home (safely) with the tasks you’re learning at work.
- Learn soft skills, too: Customer service, business ethics, scheduling, time management—these are often just as critical for success as knowing how to solder a perfect joint or wire a panel correctly.
Over time, you’ll stand out to both employers and customers. Eventually, if business ownership is your goal, a strong reputation becomes the best form of advertising.
Final Thoughts
“Skip College for REAL Success” is more than a catchy phrase. It’s a wake-up call to reevaluate the traditional path that so many people assume they must follow. If your passion or aptitude leans toward hands-on work, problem-solving, and building something tangible, a college degree might not be your best move—especially if it saddles you with debt and leaves you jobless or underemployed.
The skilled trades have always been a backbone of society, and as large portions of the workforce retire, there’s never been a better time to step in. By earning while you learn, building marketable skills, and avoiding the debt that plagues so many, you set yourself up for real success—on your own terms.
