About Blue Collar and Proud of It!

I run a million dollar landscaping business outside Boston in a suburb called Newton. For years I've been listening as my kids and other youngsters are told by their teachers and their guidance counselors that if they don't go to college they will fail. I didn't go to college. In my family, it was expected that I would go, that's for sure. I wouldn't have made it to graduation though, and I know I would have hated it. I respect college and the people who go but for some reason our society has a hard time accepting that it simply isn't for everyone. I love learning and I haven't stopped learning, but college isn't the only way to learn. I've worked my way up the ladder, have five children, a beautiful house, a loving wife and I enjoy taking vacations with my kids. I read the Wall Street Journal religiously and as many books as I can and mostly enjoy watching TV because of National Geographic and business shows.

In July 2003 I started BlueCollarandProudOfIt.com because I was tired of watching guidance counselors, teachers, parents, and yes, society, push thousands of kids out of high school and into college, even while they went kicking and screaming. I watched as they went off to schools with no direction, no interest, and started feeling worse about themselves. All this while accumulating huge amounts of debt from the loans they took out to pay for their schooling. I just want more people to think about the alternatives and realize that you can be proud about going into a trade. This is a choice and you can feel good about yourself for deciding to pursue a career in one of the blue-collar sectors. This is why I started my site; to provide some wisdom, some encouragement and to add a different voice to the chorus of people who will tell you what to do with your life.

I'm also writing a book, Blue Collar and Proud of it: The All-in-One-Resource for Finding Freedom, Financial Success, and Security Outside of the Cubicle. It's due out in bookstores in May 2009. I just want to help kids feel normal if they choose not to go to college. College isn't for everyone. But my site and book aren't about pushing a lawn mower for your whole life. We blue collar workers own homes, run businesses, and have families. We too are looking to be challenged and to exceed our own expectations. We want to excel professionally. But we love working with our hands or in trades that aren't in traditional offices. How many people are sitting behind a desk right now, tucked away in the cubicle, feeling boxed in and miserable, wishing they could be working with their hands, doing something physical instead?

But, working a blue collar job isn't just about being grubby, dirt bags. On the contrary, blue collar workers are everywhere and they are working so incredibly hard to build the country, rebuild their communities and more. We've got factory workers operating equipment worth more than my house and technical skills that surpass the level of expertise that many people have in white collar jobs. But we're still not ready to take these tradesmen and tradeswomen seriously? It's about time we respect the skills they've acquired and the trades they are in and the work they do. We've treated many of these industries as if they are invisible, but it's time to start paying attention to the construction industry, to the automotive technicians and to the electricians.

My Concern:
Lately I see a big problem, and this is the problem that I want to address. I don't like how the high schools in our country all push our kids to go off to 4-year schools. Not only do I hear this from my friends and family, I have seen it first hand with my own children at their schools.

The Reality:
Stop and think about two things.

• How many people have you heard about who go off to college and then drop out?
  One-third in their first year.
• How many parents get equity loans on their homes to finance this venture and end up getting disappointed?
• How many parents and guidance counselors force kids that are not interested to enroll in 4 year colleges?
• How many finally complete college and can't find a job?
  One half.

Have you called a contractor lately, an electrician or a plumber? If so, did they call you back? Probably not, They're usually too busy. They're the ones in the driver's seats when it comes to job negotiation!

Yes, we're in a housing slow down, but as always, it will turn around. Blue Collar positions are rewarding and profitable. College isn't for everyone! If you're blue collar material, be proud of it! And then, benefit from the opportunities available!!!