Switched to trade school after 2 years of college and my uncle laughed at me until I made $60k my first year

I was at a community college in Tucson studying business and hated every second of it. My uncle kept saying I was throwing away my potential by dropping out to learn welding at a local tech center. Three months into the program I got a job working on pipeline fittings near the Gila River and brought home $60k that first year, which was more than he made doing office work. He stopped laughing when I paid cash for a used truck and now he asks me for advice on fixing his trailer. Has anyone else dealt with family thinking dropping out means you gave up?

2 comments

2 Comments

aaronf407d ago

Honestly I used to be one of those people who thought dropping out was just giving up, I really did. My dad always pushed the college route hard and I bought into it for a while. But seeing stories like yours where someone actually makes real money and builds a skill that's in demand, it totally flipped my view. You're out here earning more than most people with degrees and you have a trade that can't be outsourced or automated. That's not giving up, that's just being smart about what works for you.

jakeperry6d ago

60 grand a year and zero student debt beats that diploma every time.