Blue collar careers have their pros and cons, but it is usually up to the individual. To help you decide if a blue collar career is for you, here are a few of the ups and downs.
CONS
Lack of Mental Stimulation. The largest complaint that many people have about blue collar careers is that they don’t stimulate the brain as much as a desk job or management position. Most of your days will be filled with the same repetitive tasks until and unless you manage to transcend the “assembly-line” status and become an owner or manager.
Physical Stress. While your brain might not sustain a workout, blue collar careers are hard on the body. Many blue collar careers involve strenuous physical labor day-in and day-out. They can also involve potential hazards that might leave you injured and unable to work at all, which is certainly a con.
Social Prejudice. Unfortunately, the boys in the plush corner offices often look down on blue collar workers, which can put a strain on your ego and self esteem. If you don’t like the idea of being judged by your career choice, you might not want to pursue a career as a blue collar worker. Even if you make more than those corner-office people and even if you drive a better car, your profession can work against you when it comes to social interaction.
Automation. Many of the blue collar careers that have long been in-demand are being cut out due to automation. If a company can purchase a machine to do the job that a man used to take care of, they’re going to buy the machine rather than fork over a salary and benefits. This is causing the loss of thousands of jobs all over the country, so beware.
Hazardous Conditions. As mentioned above, one of the largest cons to a blue collar career is the hazardous physical conditions. When you’re working construction or maintenance or repair, you run the risk of hurting yourself, which might take you out of the work force entirely. Even worse, many employers of blue collar workers try to cut corners in order to save money, which could put your life (or at least your limbs) in serious jeopardy.
PROS
Paid to Learn. Many blue collar careers allow you to enter the work force without a college degree (and in some cases without even a high school diploma). This means that you can get paid to learn a trade as an apprentice or an intern without having to spend money on school. If you need to make money right away and you don’t have time to go to college, a blue collar career can be beneficial.
Potential for Freelance. Many blue collar workers stop working for an employer as soon as they learn the trade and go into business for themselves. If you know how to work with customers and handle the books, you can start a plumbing business or a lawn service or even a construction company on your own. This is a great pro for blue collar careers because it opens the possibilities.
Working Outside. In some cases, blue collar careers lead to jobs that involve working outside, which might be something you’d enjoy. You won’t be cooped up in a stuffy office with piles of paperwork on your desk. Instead, you can enjoy the sunshine and get a tan while you earn a decent living.
Payment. Blue collar workers often suffer from social prejudice, but this doesn’t always make sense. Many of these careers often a better-than-average salary, particularly when you first start. For example, an accountant might start out making only $20,000 per year — even though the salary will go up eventually — while a construction worker might start out at $40,000. That’s a big incentive.
