College or trade school, THAT is the question? “When I was your age” (kids hate to hear that), college for me was out of the question. That was for the “rich” kids. Back in the day, kids couldn’t wait to get a working permit at age 14, learn a trade and help support their family. Today, kids MUST go to college whether they’re college material or not, being pushed by their parents because THEY want their kid to get a college degree. The more prestigious the college the better, including Ivy League colleges but NOT state schools. They spend 4 or 5 years in college, get their degree, come out and can’t find a job, while the trades can’t find workers. When they finally DO get a job they, or their parents, are loaded down with heavy student debt that will take many years to pay off. Those kids who go into the trades right out of high school have a job and paycheck 4 or 5 years in advance of those going to college AND with no student debt. And they can STILL go to college nights or on-line, pay as they go from their regular paycheck and STILL have no student debt. Parents should listen to their kids and what THEY want, not what the parents want for them. A college degree is not for everyone and NOT necessarily right out of high school.
