I'm a Licensed Professional Geologist, know a slew of engineers, also registered professionals, doctors, lawyers, dentists, CPAs--there is no shortage of professional jobs in the Dakotas, either, and they pay well.
Some here will do the blue collar jobs out in the patch, gain a skill, and be able to put themselves through college, sans debt, and comfortably, if they so choose. Others are going to be on the blue-collar track for life, but that does not always mean grunt labor--many will go on to supervisory positions, some will start their own companies, and so forth.
IF a young person has the ability and the sense of direction to know what course of study they wish to undertake, fine, maybe they'll get those student loans paid off after all. College isn't for everyone, but working a grunt job is fine motivation to renew academic pursuits.
Frankly, though, from what I have seen, the real scam is before 13th grade, where those who can't work simple math problems or communicate effectively in writing are handed a High School Diploma.
Actually, like any government program, public education is a employment program, design to transfer money from useful people with jobs to others in return for votes.
If students pick up a little education along the way, that’s all the better. Quality is irrelevant. What counts is maintaining paychecks to individuals who might become malcontents otherwise.
/remember, I teach college
//I’m paid from a private foundation—not a drop of your money
Many drivers make more than I do with an M.D.
People laugh when I tell them that I seriously considered becoming a truck driver.
Why laugh? Decent bucks, get to see the country, meet interesting people, and hardly anyone sues truck drivers.