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Why These Gen Zers Are Ditching College Degrees for Blue-Collar Careers
Once upon a time, college was the holy grail. Get a degree, snag a job, and boom — you’ve “made it.” But for a growing number of Gen Zers? That’s just not the vibe anymore.
Welcome to the era where welding torches, power tools, and landscaping gear are replacing textbooks and dorm rooms. From skyrocketing tuition costs to unstable white-collar jobs, the traditional college path is losing its grip — and as this video shows, blue-collar careers are stepping up in a big way.
Let’s dive into why this shift is happening and meet the Gen Zers who are breaking the mold, one trade at a time.
The College Dream? Kinda Fading
Let’s get real — college ain't cheap.
Since the early 2000s, the cost of a four-year degree has exploded. Public colleges? Up 140%. Private ones? Around 110%. That’s tens of thousands in debt before you even land a job. And those jobs? Not always guaranteed. Tech giants like Google, Amazon, and PayPal have been slashing workforces, leaving even grads from top schools scrambling.
It’s no wonder freshman enrollment in U.S. colleges has dipped hard. Over 2 million fewer students are enrolled in traditional four-year universities now than in 2011.
Meanwhile, Gen Z — savvy, skeptical, and seriously done with BS — is asking, “What’s the point?”
Meet the New Faces of the Trades
🔥 Morgan Bradbury: From Scout Badges to Navy Ships
Morgan was all set for college life. Engineering, maybe physical therapy. But one welding merit badge later? Boom. She was hooked.
That spark led her to the Universal Technical Institute, where she dropped $22K (way less than college) and finished a nine-month welding program. By the time she was 19, Morgan was pulling in $57K a year. Two years later, she’s working on U.S. Navy ships in Virginia, making serious moves — and cash.
Her days are unpredictable, her hands are dirty, and her brain is always busy. “I love the science behind welding — like, the metallurgy and magnetic fields,” she says. “It’s art and engineering mashed together.”
And she's not alone.
🌱 Chase Gallagher: Landscaping His Way to $1M
Chase started mowing lawns at 12. By 18? He’d saved $120K. Instead of dropping it on tuition, he bet on himself — and launched CMG Landscaping.
Fast forward to 2024: His company’s pulling in over $1 million annually. He personally banked nearly half a mil last year. Not bad for someone who skipped the cap and gown.
“I wasn’t about to pause a profitable business to pay for school,” Chase says. “College just didn’t fit my goals — I wanted freedom, ownership, and income ASAP.”
Now he’s eyeing private equity and dreaming even bigger. “I'm building an empire,” he grins.
So Why the Shift?
1. Money Talks
A $100K college bill vs. a $20K trade school tab? That math’s easy. And with trade salaries on the rise — up 25% since 2019 — the ROI is real.
2. Job Stability
White-collar layoffs are making headlines. Meanwhile, skilled trades are booming. Plumbers, welders, electricians, mechanics — they’re in high demand. Boomers are retiring fast, and the labor gap is massive.
3. Flex & Freedom
A lot of Gen Zers are done with 9-to-5s and office culture. Trades offer hands-on work, flexible schedules, and the chance to freelance or start your own biz. It’s not just a job — it’s a lifestyle.
Vocational Schools: The Comeback Kids
Between 2019 and 2024, vocational school enrollment jumped 18%. These programs are fast, focused, and way more affordable than college. Plus, they offer real-world experience — something employers actually care about.
And with federal investments like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and CHIPS Act pouring billions into infrastructure and manufacturing, skilled trades are becoming the backbone of America’s future.
Skills Are the New Degrees
Gen Z grew up in the digital age. We watched influencers turn side hustles into six-figure gigs. We saw friends make more on Etsy than at internships. So the idea that a degree = success? That’s just outdated.
Today, it's about what you can do, not what’s printed on your diploma. Coding, welding, fixing HVACs, building things — these are real, tangible skills that pay off fast.
Not Just Boys with Tools
Morgan’s story is a reminder that trades aren’t just for dudes. More women — especially Gen Z women — are entering blue-collar fields and killing it. From welding to carpentry, the gender gap is slowly but surely closing.
Morgan dreams of starting a nonprofit to get more girls into trades. “We need more outreach,” she says. “These jobs are empowering — and people just don’t know how cool they can be.”
The Trade-Offs
Sure, there are challenges. Trades can be physically demanding. Long hours. Less glam. And policy changes — like tariffs or economic slowdowns — can impact opportunities in industries like construction.
But the upside? Huge. Independence. Financial stability. A path to entrepreneurship.
And most importantly, purpose.
A Gen Z Blueprint
This shift isn’t about hating on college — it’s about choices. Options. Doing what actually makes sense for your life.
Morgan’s building Navy ships. Chase is building an empire. Neither of them needed a degree to do it. What they needed was drive, grit, and a willingness to hustle.
And for thousands of other Gen Zers? That’s exactly the blueprint they’re following.
Stay inspired by the Gen Z revolution in work and ambition — only at Woke Waves Magazine.
#BlueCollarRevolution #GenZCareers #NoDegreeNoProblem #SkilledTradesAreHot #WokeWaves
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