10 Great Roll-Up-Your-Sleeves Trades for Smart People
John O. Andersen
***NOTE***
You can find this article on my website under the "Work" section:
http://www.unconventionalideas.com/work.html
JOA
10 Great Roll-Up-Your-Sleeves Trades for Smart People
Over the years, I've observed there are some trades which are both always in
demand, and enable a person to earn a comfortable living by North American
standards. These are excellent livelihoods for people who aren't natural
team players, and who revel in seeing the results of their labor.
I wish more young people would seriously consider learning such a trade
rather than following the crowd to the university. This particularly
applies to those (some of whom may be at the top of their class
academically) who aren't troubled by real or imagined blue collar stigmas,
love to work with their hands, and aren't afraid to admit they prefer
learning by doing rather than by listening to lectures, reading textbooks,
cramming, and taking multiple choice tests.
While in most cases, you can learn these trades on the job, some people find
a certificate course at a local low-cost community college a good jumping
off point. Ideally, all those wanting to become self-employed should not
only learn their chosen trade, but also acquire a working knowledge of
computers, and basic accounting.
My top 10 (in no specific order):
1. Plumber:
The need for this will never disappear. Few tradespeople are more
appreciated than an honest plumber who fixes a broken pipe or clogged line.
2. Professional Cleaner:
As long as there are people, there will be dirt. This is a fact, not a
criticism. Believe it or not, there are many specialized cleaning services
which allow contractors to earn $50 or more per hour. Some of these include
carpet, chimney, sewer, and duct cleaning.
3. House Painter:
A good, conscientious house painter is always in demand. Do excellent work
and your customers will do all of your advertising for you.
4. Arborist:
Trees don't stop growing until they die; dead trees need to be removed,
growing trees need pruning.
5. Appliance Repair:
This one ranks up there with plumbing. Be a hero on a daily basis. Talk
about job satisfaction!
6. HVAC Contractor:
This is a sure bet. People need to stay warm in the winter and cool in the
summer.
7. Landscape Gardener:
Lawns always grow. So do weeds. A lot of people don't have the time to
tend their gardens. That's where you come in.
8. Locksmith:
People in a hurry tend to lose their keys or lock them in the car more
often. Our society is overflowing with frantically busy people. Also, with
so many people changing their residence each year, there is an ongoing need
for re-keying locks.
9. Barber:
Hair just keeps on growing. No advertising necessary if you have enough
loyal customers. Also, it's a great way to meet and learn from a wide
variety of people. Over the years, I've quite possibly learned more while
talking to people in barbershops than I ever did in a college classroom.
10. Ditch Digger:
You'd be surprised at how many ditches need to be dug. General contractors
send ditch diggers lots of work. Government agencies, property owners,
small businesses--all require ditches from time to time. A skilled digger
will have more than enough business
John Andersen
Uncoventional Ideas: A Collection of Short Essays Which Question Mainstream
Values
http://www.unconventionalideas.com
You can find this article on my website under the "Work" section:
http://www.unconventionalideas.com/work.html
JOA
10 Great Roll-Up-Your-Sleeves Trades for Smart People
Over the years, I've observed there are some trades which are both always in
demand, and enable a person to earn a comfortable living by North American
standards. These are excellent livelihoods for people who aren't natural
team players, and who revel in seeing the results of their labor.
I wish more young people would seriously consider learning such a trade
rather than following the crowd to the university. This particularly
applies to those (some of whom may be at the top of their class
academically) who aren't troubled by real or imagined blue collar stigmas,
love to work with their hands, and aren't afraid to admit they prefer
learning by doing rather than by listening to lectures, reading textbooks,
cramming, and taking multiple choice tests.
While in most cases, you can learn these trades on the job, some people find
a certificate course at a local low-cost community college a good jumping
off point. Ideally, all those wanting to become self-employed should not
only learn their chosen trade, but also acquire a working knowledge of
computers, and basic accounting.
My top 10 (in no specific order):
1. Plumber:
The need for this will never disappear. Few tradespeople are more
appreciated than an honest plumber who fixes a broken pipe or clogged line.
2. Professional Cleaner:
As long as there are people, there will be dirt. This is a fact, not a
criticism. Believe it or not, there are many specialized cleaning services
which allow contractors to earn $50 or more per hour. Some of these include
carpet, chimney, sewer, and duct cleaning.
3. House Painter:
A good, conscientious house painter is always in demand. Do excellent work
and your customers will do all of your advertising for you.
4. Arborist:
Trees don't stop growing until they die; dead trees need to be removed,
growing trees need pruning.
5. Appliance Repair:
This one ranks up there with plumbing. Be a hero on a daily basis. Talk
about job satisfaction!
6. HVAC Contractor:
This is a sure bet. People need to stay warm in the winter and cool in the
summer.
7. Landscape Gardener:
Lawns always grow. So do weeds. A lot of people don't have the time to
tend their gardens. That's where you come in.
8. Locksmith:
People in a hurry tend to lose their keys or lock them in the car more
often. Our society is overflowing with frantically busy people. Also, with
so many people changing their residence each year, there is an ongoing need
for re-keying locks.
9. Barber:
Hair just keeps on growing. No advertising necessary if you have enough
loyal customers. Also, it's a great way to meet and learn from a wide
variety of people. Over the years, I've quite possibly learned more while
talking to people in barbershops than I ever did in a college classroom.
10. Ditch Digger:
You'd be surprised at how many ditches need to be dug. General contractors
send ditch diggers lots of work. Government agencies, property owners,
small businesses--all require ditches from time to time. A skilled digger
will have more than enough business
John Andersen
Uncoventional Ideas: A Collection of Short Essays Which Question Mainstream
Values
http://www.unconventionalideas.com