Careers in the trades

Not all successful careers begin with college. With tuitions rising fast, many high school graduates are taking advantage of opportunities with the military and trades. The manufacturing and construction industries, which are currently experiencing shortages of skilled labor, are both actively recruiting. This has meant offers of high salaries and guaranteed employment for high school grads. After completing a five-year apprenticeship, a 23-year-old electrical contractor can be earning as much as $60,000 to $70,000 a year, according to the National Electrical Contractors Association.

"Also, when you learn a trade, instead of paying money out toward college, you can be bringing money in," says A.J. Pearson, executive director of the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee. "People have a misconception that this is just common, dirty work, but there's a very technical aspect and a pride in the craftsmanship that is part of this work."

Training offered by the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) shows how sophisticated construction technology can be. Recently, the organization has been educating members in the construction of "green" buildings, which are energy efficient and often made from recycled materials. The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) also wants to dispel the notion that skilled labor is menial labor. "Manufacturing means everything from making potato chips to making computer chips, and opportunities range from tool and die work to advanced robotics," says Wade Sayer, director of business education programs for NAM. "Plus many manufacturers give tuition reimbursement to learn on the job