I have been working as a HS educator for 10 years. I have seen some fads come and go, but the two that are prevalent now are (1) get a STEM degree, and (2) go into the trades. I personally am working on an MSCS (not to be a software engineer, though), so I have a bit of experience with those "in the field." I also have a few family members in the trades. I am by no means an expert, but I have a bit more nuance than the blanket statements of go do (1) or (2).

And I feel like we are lying to our students.

First, we continually tell them these outrageous "starting salaries." No, you most likely won't be making $100k right out of the gate at 22 as a software engineer/data scientists/etc. More importantly, the average or median salary is NOT the same thing as a starting salary for an entry-level job. Typically, not even close. Take the trades for instance, in many trades, you have years of shitty pay as an apprentice before you even sniff a good salary. Can you/will you make good money in these fields? No doubt. But you need to get some experience to do so.

Second, they undersell the skills needed for the jobs. There is this implication that you don't need to be smart to be a tradesperson. Totally false. People who are good in the trades have unbelievable problem solving skills. That is why you pay someone hundreds of dollars to come out and fix your plumbing, your electrical, etc. It is not just "watch a YouTube video and turn the wrench in this way." Sure, sometimes it is, but when you have legit issues, a layperson cannot even diagnose the problem, let alone fix it.

Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, simply BECOMING is hard, and yet becoming the thing is also not enough. Not everyone can finish these programs. Moreover, just obtaining the degree or certification does not mean you are hirable. Just like in school today, simply checking off the box does not mean that you have mastery. School personnel act like, once you get X, you will be swimming in job offers with tons of money and enjoying your yacht on the weekends. They also forget that obtaining a STEM degree or trades certification is some kind of cakewalk. Like anyone can do it "if you just try." Some of our students don't put in any effort now; what makes us believe that they will turn it all around and become a data scientist tomorrow?

This was all prompted by a conversation I had with a student yesterday. He said he is going to "drop out of school, become an electrician, make $90k a year, save all that money, buy a house after saving all that $90k, then house hack." I had to explain getting certified, making shit money for a few years as an apprentice, taxes (he didn't realize he didn't keep all the money), and all that jazz.

Thoughts?