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Building Your Career in Skilled Trades: Exploring Trade Career Pathways

  • Writer: David Bierwirth
    David Bierwirth
  • 7 hours ago
  • 3 min read

There’s More Than One Way to Build a Good Life

Choosing a career can feel like standing at a four-way stop with no signs. Everyone’s yelling, “Go to college!”And you’re left wondering if that’s really the only road to a solid future.

It’s not.

For a lot of people, skilled trades offer something college never did : real work, real pay, and a clear path forward—without a mountain of debt.

If you like working with your hands, solving problems, and seeing the results of your effort at the end of the day, you’re in the right place.

Let’s talk about why skilled trades matter—and how you can get started.

Why Skilled Trades Matter (Right Now)

Here’s the truth most people won’t say out loud: We don’t have enough skilled workers.

Construction. Manufacturing. Electrical. Plumbing. HVAC. Welding .These jobs keep the lights on, the water running, and the world moving.

And demand is only growing.

While everyone’s been told success only comes with a four-year degree, entire industries have been quietly running short on trained people. That’s created opportunity—good-paying, stable opportunity—for folks willing to learn a trade.

You don’t need to sit in a lecture hall for four years to build a solid life.You need skills that matter.

Apprentice getting "real world" training at job site.
Apprentice getting "real world" training at job site.

Trade Career Pathways: Real Options, Real Futures

Skilled trades aren’t one-size-fits-all. There’s a lane for almost everyone.

Some common paths include:

  • Electrician – Power homes, businesses, and job sites

  • Plumber – Build and maintain water, drainage, and heating systems

  • Carpenter – Create structures you can point to with pride

  • HVAC Technician – Keep people comfortable year-round

  • Welder – Join metal, build infrastructure, create strength

  • Machinist – Make precision parts that keep industries running

  • Automotive Technician – Keep vehicles safe and on the road

Most of these careers start with apprenticeships—which means you earn while you learn. You’re getting paid, gaining experience, and building skills from day one.

Not sure which trade fits?Job shadow. Ask questions. Try an intro class.You don’t have to have it all figured out to take the first step.

How to Get Started (Without Overthinking It)

Getting into the trades is more straightforward than people think.

Start here:

  1. Look around – Learn what different trades actually do day to day

  2. Find training – Trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeships

  3. Apply – Apprenticeships usually last 3–5 years and pay as you go

  4. Get certified – Licenses and credentials open more doors

  5. Meet people – Trades run on relationships as much as skills

  6. Keep learning – The best tradespeople never stop improving

This isn’t a race. It’s a build.

Let’s Clear Up a Few Myths

Some bad advice has stuck around way too long.

“Trades don’t pay well.”Wrong. Many trades match—or beat—college-degree salaries, without student loans.

“Trades are for people who didn’t do well in school.”Also wrong. Trades require math, problem-solving, planning, and precision.

“There’s no advancement.”Not true. Supervisors, specialists, business owners—those paths are wide open.

“It’s unsafe or backbreaking.”Safety standards are strict, and technology has changed how the work gets done.

Don’t let old stories block new opportunities.

Our friend David Obie is on the work site. (IG @david_dynamic_industries)
Our friend David Obie is on the work site. (IG @david_dynamic_industries)

Building a Career You Can Stick With

Once you’re in, success comes down to how you show up.

  • Set clear goals

  • Take care of your tools—and yourself

  • Stay connected through unions or trade groups

  • Find a specialty that fits you

  • Protect your time outside of work

A good trade career isn’t just about making a living. It’s about building a life that works.

Your Next Step Starts Now

There’s no single “right” path to success. But skilled trades are a proven one.

They offer stability. Pride. Purpose.And a future you can actually see taking shape.

If you’re ready to explore what’s possible, start asking questions. Talk to people in the trades. Check out training programs. Take one small step forward.

That’s how real careers get built.


My Work My Future is here to help you figure it out—no pressure, no fluff, just real options. Email David@secondstorymg.com or (505)379-1569


Because this isn’t just about finding a job. It’s about building something you’re proud of.

And that kind of future? It’s still wide open.

 
 
 

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