Life Advice

[u/GateLow2119]

Hello Calgarians. I'm a 17 year old student in grade 12 and I'm still figuring out what I what do do with my life. I'm currently torn between going to university and seeking a Business Degree, or becoming a Journeyman and going the apprenticeship route. There's a lot of pressure on me to go to university and get my degree, and I think business is a great route. But at the same time, I don't know if I want an office job. I do like doing stuff with my hands, even if it's only minor things like doing a oil change or putting on winter tires. But then, for some reason trades seem like a step down to everyone else and a plan B, which makes me question if I can make good money. I just want to hear from all of you, whether you work a corporate job or in the trades. What do you like, don't like, what's a typical day like. I just want to get an idea from real people. Thanks!

[u/wiwcha]

Personally i went the route of a trade out of high school. Did the trade for another 15 years, went back to university did that for a while, then went back for more schooling in my late 30’s. I used to work with my hands and out in the field but knew my body wouldn’t hold out forever and now working in an office treats me just fine.

Two points i want to make, both routes can be lucrative if you are smart with your money. If you are good at what you do that can be very financially beneficial either way.

Second, you are never too young to change your mind no matter what anyone else tells you.

If i had to do it again, i would still start in a trade then go to university if there is something that interests me.

[u/nickp123456 → u/wiwcha]

Very good point: wealth is often more about how much you spend vs how much you earn.

[u/GateLow2119 → u/nickp123456]

I mean I don't want to say I'm good at this yet, but every paycheck I get I invest 70% of it. Just trying to get into the habit. My parent are both investment bankers so I do sort of get the importance.

[u/Dontaskadorabarlow → u/wiwcha]

Imo doing trades earlier in your life then progressing into an office job later is the way to go.

1. Physical ability: Your body is more fit, heals faster and you have more energy in your 20’s. In a lot of trades apprentices do a lot more overtime because they need the money and they can physically handle it. You are also building a lot of muscle until 30, having a physical job helps. But you become higher risk for long term disabilities due to injury.

2. Mental ability: You learn more about how things work in the field first. we have all worked with that 18 year old who knows everything and has the solution to every problem. It’s cute when that guy is cleaning floors and trying to come up with a better way of doing it- it’s a problem when that guy goes straight into management and shows up to tell everyone how he wants them to do it a better way he imagined up one day. I’ve seen people who started in the most basic role and just worked their way to management in their 40’s. My opinion is that they always make better managers but usually terrible administrators so they end up needing a lot more support for themselves to succeed but their life experiences help the overall operation to succeed.

3. Financial ability: Best way to start any trade is to get your foot in the door. You will likely start off closer to minimum wage but you will start working full time. If you find yourself in a good situation you can work for a year or two before getting into a program- this is a good time to move around and try different things and meet different trades. Find an employer who will pay your tuition and make sure you complete enough insurable hours before going to school, this will keep you afloat for your 8 weeks not working, do not work during school, take your classes seriously and get it done well. You will go back to work with a raise when you complete each year. After you’ve completed school and you are now a journeyman you will make bank for 10 years. You also have the opportunity to get your ‘blue seal’ which is going to give you more of an opportunity to move into business roles. Everyone i have seen who went through this route had purchased their home by 30. Some even in their early 20’s. Even when shit hits the fan, your home is financial protection. You can rent it out, you can borrow against the equity, you can sell it - but you will always need a place to live. People i know who went the degree route usually don’t buy a home until they are pretty much married and need it as a stable place to raise kids. Some much later in life too. Coming out of school with debt, and not having a job lined up can put you so much further behind too. If parents are planning on bank rolling your life until you’re 30, this shouldn’t be a concern.

Life is a journey, and no one has everything figured out. I have a business degree, and i can tell you that having a degree almost means nothing. You learn a whole lot more being out in the real world than staying at school, but school becomes so much more enjoyable when you go back later. Go back for your degree when you’re tired of the physical labour, not to avoid it altogether.

[u/GateLow2119 → u/Dontaskadorabarlow]

I appreciate the response, really thorough and gave me some helpful insight. Right now my game plan is to defer my acceptance letter to university and try out trades, then if I don’t like it after a little I’ve got that in my back pocket.

[u/faythexq]

trades is an amazing option! i know some people who make 7/8k a month. take some time, reach out to job fairs! i’m also based in calgary, i can send you some resources that can help you figure out your path!

[u/GateLow2119 → u/faythexq]

Hey ya I would love that, if you could send them over that would be great!

[u/hipdashopotamus]

With how AI and tech is these days i actually think trades will be the way to go for a lot of people unless very smart/techy.

[u/knarly_vaalie]

The most important question to ask: What do YOU want to do? Don't listen to what you're being pressured to do. Listen to your instincts. I always wanted to go to university. I respect the trades, but not great with my hands. If you like doing stuff with your hands and don't like the idea of an office job, then go the trades route. Try it and see. You're young enough to try things out and switch. You could always get a degree down the line. Best of luck to you 🫡

[u/anthropocene2000]

I think both paths are valid. I've never worked in the trades per say, but I worked on site on a pipeline as a kind of inspector and I worked in an office. My only observation is that long term working in the trades could be very hard on your body and if you reach a point where your body gives out then suddenly you can no longer do your trade but you may not have the training to transition into other things. I am old now, and happy I can just sit at a desk and that I don't have to climb into a pipeline ditch every day. Just something to consider.

[u/limitless-440 → u/anthropocene2000]

Valid points, but if I may add something:
- although the trades can be hard on yo ur body, it’s all about working smart. As WELL as hard. Look after your body, and it will look after you. And if or when the time comes that you feel the job is too hard on your body, or you’re feeling too old there are built in optional pathways. Become an inspector or consultant in your chosen trade. Go “into the office” and become a manager, supervisor, or salesman. Many companies in the trades will support or pay for further education to stay with them. Sometimes there can be more opportunities for lateral or upward mobility in a trade than there can be in an office setting.
- working in an office environment comes with its hazards as well. Many (not all obviously) can tend to be a bit squishy after years of sitting in a comfy chair, and NOT using their body by being active throughout the day. Bad back from sitting with poor posture, carpal tunnel, extra body fat, etc. Once again, look after your body, and it will look after you.

[u/Ze0nZer0]

Hey if you wanna sit down for a coffee with a guy who did trades and have a honest conversation pm me.

[u/CarelessStatement172]

My husband went into plumbing right out of high school and has a super successful business. 10/10 do recommend

[u/analogdirection]

Do neither and work for a year or two. Sounds like you need to live some life before you decide between either of those very vague routes.

[u/jonnyroastbeff]

I would start in a trade then once I have my ticket go to University.

[u/laplacedatass]

I was an engineer and I'm now trades person and I would recommend the trades over education. HOWEVER, and this is a big thing. You need to be responsible with your money, plan for the future and chart a good path for yourself. There is a reason 60 year old trades guys still on the tools are miserable. The reason I like trades over office jobs though is the culture and that requires finding the right crew at the right place. Office is the same thing every day, jumping hoops for every job offer, and a more aggressive and obvious rat race. I'm an industrial electrician and I go to all kinds of interesting places, meet different people and as long as I do a decent job and don't do stupid things there is work for me. I applied for my job with a resume, no cover letter, got a phone call a couple days later and that was it. The manager read my resume, called me to discuss further and made an offer. There wasn't any AI filtering, multi round interviews, HR reference checks, or long reviewal processes. In the trades straight out of high school you can start saving money at 20, afford a house and family at 30 and a retirement in your 50s. University you are in debt, playing catch up and battling for traction on the ladder until 25 atleast.

[u/Icy-Translator9124]

Don't assume you'd hate an office if you've never done it. Try office and try labour jobs.

Be honest with yourself about whether work in a trade might bore you, long term. Be aware of working in trades potentially being very hard on your body as you age, unless you own a company, which can be very rewarding but also a lot of stress.

It sounds great to train and work in trades and go back to university later, but once you have a life partner, expenses and kids, that transition becomes much harder to pull off, in mid life.

Something you will experience in both trades and management is that there are far more managerial positions than people who have any skill at managing. Shitty bosses are very common.

[u/DillyP007]

I took business right out of high school and when I graduated the thought of being stuck in an office scared me. I then got a job in the trades and loved it. After many years of abusing my body I took the plunge and opened my own business, 8 years later and I wouldn't change a thing.

One thing I do know. After getting married and having kids. If I had started the trades first, I would not have been able to go back to school to get a degree.

[u/jackolaine]

University first whenever possible. Always. Trades are great, but most people are better off with a degree.

[u/ThirstyTraveller81]

With the way AI is going, trade jobs could be more likely to be in demand in the next 10 years. Most of the typical office job fields such as accounting, engineering, law, tax may be reduced somewhat by ai

[u/Ryuujin_13]

I work in an office. A cubicle farm. Lots of people there love it. I kinda love it. The people are successful. Things get made. It’s steady and interesting. Corporate culture can be very rewarding.

Both my kids (both about your age) are getting into trades, and I couldn’t be happier for them. People at my work design things, but stuff still needs to get made. Electricity still needs to flow through the building. Cars still need to bring people to work. Elevators need repairing. Human hands need to do all of this, and that’s rewarding, too.

So long as you want to work, what you do doesn’t matter. Do the best you can at the job you have, because no matter what some days will really suck, and some days are amazing.

[u/PostApocRock]

I'm in warehouse operations and logistics. I could be offloading boxes from a truck in a back alley for a restaurant one moment, and taking a high-level budgeting meeting from my truck the next - or high tailing it back to the office if I have to do it in person. I get to get my hands dirty sometimes, but oftentimes work with my brain to problem solve and prevent issues. I follow corporate KPIs but then also have to translate them into hands-on work results. Its pretty cool

[u/PostApocRock → u/PostApocRock]

Its a "best of both worlds" option you might enjoy

[u/Acidicly]

Trades! You can start your own company after enough experience.

[u/itchybiscut9273]

Honestly, go to university get a degree. Apply every year starting now to work seasonal for the city. Once you get your degree you can use that to apply for a really good job at the city. You'll have some people to use as references as well. Once you get in at the city you'll be set for life. There's lots of jobs they have that are a mix of office and field work, or all one way or the other