A 55-year-old mechanic believes that success does not depend on a degree. Clint Crawford, a native of Arkansas, argues, according to the Spanish digital newspaper Noticias Trabajo, that young people should know all their professional options and learn to be realistic from an early age, understanding that working is, above all, a way of ensuring stability and paying the bills.
The myth of university prestige
For a long time, going to university was presented as the only path to prestige and success. But reality has changed in recent years.
Opportunities for professionals with technical or trades training have grown, while some careers that require a degree are in lower demand.
According to the same source, this shortage of qualified professionals in the trades could turn some workers into “millionaires” in the future, given the appreciation of their skills in the market.
Freedom of choice and appreciation of crafts
The mechanic explains that, at home, the children always had the freedom to choose their route, but it was important that they knew all the alternatives. “It is necessary for them to know other alternatives, and we must give the same importance to technical programs”, he states.
The children, now 21 and 22, decided to go to university, but it was entirely their decision. “At home they were not expected to do this, and we made an effort to teach them the dignity and stability that professional professions can provide”, he adds.
To help her children understand the value of these works, she used everyday examples. “If there is a problem with the pipes, the first call is to the owner or the plumber. When a car breaks down, the first call is to the workshop.”
These simple situations showed them that trades professionals are essential and that there are legitimate and respectable paths outside of university.
Teaching realism in the world of work
The mechanic also taught them a lesson in realism regarding today’s world of work. “I think a lot of times parents tell their kids, ‘Do what makes you happy.’ That’s all well and good, but the reason we work is to pay the bills. If we can’t do that, it just seems pointless.”
The warning is clear: knowing the job market and understanding the value of each profession is as important as following academic dreams.
Talk early about the future
According to Noticias Trabajo, this mechanic’s experience highlights the importance of talking to children about the future from an early age, showing them all possible options and teaching them that success and stability can be achieved through different paths.
For him, respecting and valuing craft professions is as crucial as encouraging higher education, allowing young people to make conscious and informed choices.
And in Portugal?
In Portugal there are real and structured alternatives to university, from learning courses and professional training actions to supported internships aimed at insertion in the job market and professional certification. These routes favor the practical component and direct connection to companies, allowing students to continue studies if they so wish.
At the same time, there is pressure on the job supply side: sectors such as information technology and various technical professions feel a mismatch between demand and supply, which has inflated salaries and opened up qualified vacancies outside higher education.
In other areas, namely trades such as plumbing, electricity and construction, there are reports of labor shortages, which creates space for stable and well-paid careers for those who choose non-university career paths. In short, there are opportunities outside of university, but they require alignment with adequate training and attention to market needs.
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