In this book, “Chadwick’s Cultivated Circumstances: Experience is Sometimes Priceless,” Charles Chadwick emphasizes the importance of diversifying one’s skill set, especially during chaotic times like today’s job market. One way to do this is through getting experience, which can increase employment opportunities and make a person a better professional.
Chadwick encourages people to not be afraid of learning a trade or learning some new skills. Trade schools have a dropout rate of less than two percent, and the longest period of education is only two years, although some industries require two to three years of paid apprenticeships following schooling. In contrast, college has a much higher dropout rate, and of those who do graduate, 64 percent take over four years to complete their degree, resulting in more debt.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports skilled trades are among the top ten most difficult positions to fill, and 75 percent of contractors are having trouble finding qualified workers. However, young people are not entering these professions, while older tradespeople are retiring. Instead, high schoolers are being pushed to attend college, despite the decreasing value of a bachelor’s degree and rising college debt. As a result, the trades are often overlooked and under funded. Learning a trade can lead to a bright future for minorities and women, as well as anyone seeking a secure and well-paying career.
