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Callie1979

(1,019 posts)

23. College was simply not for me. Technical school was. And I retired at 53

Tue Nov 11, 2025, 01:41 PM

Tuesday

Because I had no debt I saved as soon as I worked. I bought small homes 1 by 1 over the years. Kept most of them. And when the layoff blade came for me, I simply didnt look for another job.
In my job as a field tech I had the freedom to do a lot more during he days too.
I did have an "inside track" on what wouldve been a good job but I was required to get a degree. And it wouldve put me inside a bldg all day. I wouldve had a decent retirement but it also wouldn't have been at 53. And I probably wouldnt have started buying homes.
Its still possible today, but a lot harder thanks to all the HGTV shows making people think they can make 400k rehabbing ONE house.

I knew damn well if I went to college I wouldve partied & ended up flunking out.

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Johnny2X2X

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Highlight:

"Learn a Trade!" response to AI fears [View all] Johnny2X2X Tuesday OP

It makes sense SO FAR TheFarseer Tuesday #1

I still think inevitable lawsuits are going to slow the "self driving semi" train down. Callie1979 Tuesday #4

even liberal arts degrees eventually pay off DBoon Tuesday #2

Even more so in an AI World JCMach1 Tuesday #18

As they always have Iris Tuesday #21

I've been saying "learn a trade" my whole life. College is a scam Callie1979 Tuesday #3

I've had the opposite experience Johnny2X2X Tuesday #5

GO GREEN.... democratsruletheday Tuesday #30

I graduated from college with zero debt. hunter Tuesday #9

True enough about the non-career years of education biophile Tuesday #10

I've recommended that to many kids. Get most of your hrs at the smaller cheaper places Callie1979 Tuesday #22

Yes, good idea. biophile Tuesday #27

Why are you parroting RW billshit? Happy Hoosier Tuesday #47

Good for you; most dont have parents pay for their school. Trade school made me financially secure. Callie1979 12 hrs ago #55

a lot of jobs now that require a degree Skittles 11 hrs ago #57

Companies requiring a bachelors degree for a job have dropped in recent yrs. Callie1979 2 hrs ago #59

"Go to college! Learn to code!" used to be our reprose to workers complaining about automation, outsourcing, and... Lancero Tuesday #6

If I were a junior engineer starting out Johnny2X2X Tuesday #7

Good luck getting a junior engineering Boo1 Tuesday #13

I'm a senior engineer in aerospace Johnny2X2X Tuesday #14

I agree Boo1 Tuesday #16

I disagree somewhat Johnny2X2X Tuesday #19

Are you an engineer? Happy Hoosier Tuesday #49

No Boo1 Yesterday #50

Using AI to code is going to create all sorts of jobs for people who can maintain that code... hunter Tuesday #15

Agree Johnny2X2X Tuesday #20

I just don't want to be run over by a driverless truck... hunter Tuesday #26

I cannot wait for the roads to be majority driverless vehicles. Johnny2X2X Tuesday #31

That sounds dystopian to me. hunter Tuesday #41

Do both. Trades and college. Don't make this a binary question. CoopersDad Tuesday #8

It never hurts to be multi-competent! biophile Tuesday #12

Exactly CD....as I said before, my kid LOVES democratsruletheday Tuesday #32

Yes, equal time should be given to technical school & college. Callie1979 12 hrs ago #56

The belief that going to college is a bad idea is at the forefront of project 2025 policy. patphil Tuesday #11

Well put Johnny2X2X Tuesday #17

College was simply not for me. Technical school was. And I retired at 53 Callie1979 Tuesday #23

Good for you Johnny2X2X Tuesday #37

This message was self-deleted by its author Stacey Grove Tuesday #24

It's not a bad idea, but not the right idea for everyone. flvegan Tuesday #25

Trade jobs are being taken by robots lame54 Tuesday #28

Glad you started this topic fujiyamasan Tuesday #29

Solid article on the subject.... democratsruletheday Tuesday #33

I support everyone going to at least a two-year college before chosing a career LogDog75 Tuesday #34

I learned a trade Jilly_in_VA Tuesday #35

BSNs aren't required to do rotations before graduating? Johnny2X2X Tuesday #39

They do, but it varies Jilly_in_VA 19 hrs ago #54

The point of education is that it teaches you how to learn and how to think. milestogo Tuesday #36

LOL Skittles 11 hrs ago #58

Those who make such suggestions as a response to A.I. don't understand current technology 0rganism Tuesday #38

Excellent post, thanks Johnny2X2X Tuesday #40

I think we're a long way from robots who can do plumbing or electrical work... hunter Tuesday #42

It's always a long way until it's not 0rganism Tuesday #43

Maybe I'll use AI to create a virus that breaks AI. hunter Tuesday #45

In the case of AI it's a matter of scale rather than structure 0rganism Yesterday #52

What I learned in trade school in 1992 still applies today Kaleva 2 min ago #60

AI gets to practice law, medicine, engineering, while humans get to fix the plumbing? tinrobot Tuesday #44

AI won't kill people with glowing red eye robots... hunter Tuesday #46

No protection there Blue Full Moon Tuesday #48

AI is much more limited than its promoters claim WSHazel Yesterday #51

That AI narrative is such bs jfz9580m Yesterday #53