What is Blue Collar?

I have spent over 27 years in what most would consider a blue-collar career of some type. I am proud of my accomplishments and am fortunate enough to have met many great people I have learned from along the way. The questions are sometimes asked “What is Blue Collar?” and “Why would you try and convince people to get into something like that?”

First, what IS blue collar really? It is my belief any service type profession that doesn’t require 4 minimum years and up to or over 10 years in an educational institution. What it does require is practical applications with literally thousands of hours of experience before one is classified as an “expert” with some schooling/training. What do I mean? Trades people, truck drivers, heavy equipment operators, hair stylists, pilots, massage therapists, yoga instructors, personal trainers, chefs, servers, bartenders, graphic designers, driving instructors, farmers, ranchers and even stay at home parents. Yes, they too fall under that category. And it’s a category to be proud of! Coaches, sales people, store clerks, attendants, custodians, sanitation removal and recycling, factory workers, loggers, mail delivery drivers, taxi/Uber driver’s and so, so many more! I want you to think of the small amount I have just mentioned and think where we’d be without them. Then add up everyone else you can think of who works in a service business and tell me if the world as you know it would function at all? It wouldn’t!!

Second, I try and convince people to take these types of jobs because for the most part, you can make a good living doing them and the job satisfaction rate is statistically higher across the board than white-collar jobs. Don’t believe me, look it up – the stats are all there. Here’s an article regarding job satisfaction rate in 2018 https://www.oklahoman.com/story/business/columns/2018/09/01/survey-reveals-high-job-satisfaction-among-blue-collar-workers/60504303007/ Time and time again you’ll hear motivational speakers talk about how giving to others will help you grow into a better person. Here is another source backing up what I mean https://www.trackinghappiness.com/why-giving-makes-you-happy/ What better way to do that than working at a job you enjoy while helping other people’s day get a little better. There will be anomalies in everything but in general, who do you think enjoys their day more? A person who works for a faceless corporation filing reports day after day that not another soul will see except 4 other people in that business. Or a person working also possibly for a faceless corporation but whose job it is to help people find what they’re looking for or get the services they need? Our lives are stressful enough. Don’t you think helping to make a small difference in someone’s day is a better alternative than just money?

You can answer that any way you like, but the numbers don’t lie. The job satisfaction rate is much higher in blue collar careers overall. The world we live in changes every day it seems but what doesn’t change is the need for blue collar workers. Our entire society depends on it! Do we need white collar jobs too? Of course! What I am trying to say is for many, and I do mean MANY people out there, they don’t want to be white collar. They want to build or repair with their hands. To help someone whose day might be so bad they’re thinking of giving up. Along comes a person who loves what they do, in a blue-collar career and sees them struggling. They offer advice on a purchase but know full well being friendly and helping this person is changing their day for the better. How amazing is that? This is why job satisfaction is much higher in blue collar areas of jobs. What about the cashier who knows the single parent is struggling to keep their sanity and children under control, while searching for their coupons? With the cashier’s patience and banter, they can diffuse that whole situation. That single parent leaves there a little less frustrated – their day got a little better and the cashiers day got a little better too. Win/win as far as I’m concerned. https://standbypersonnel.com/why-you-should-consider-a-blue-collar-job/

You want to know why blue-collar careers are so important? They’re our lifelines when things go off the rails! Car breaks down, toilet overflows, need to get to the doctor’s office but don’t have wheels, raise children and spend time with them, deliver our food or orders from online stores you name it, they do it! Never forget where everything in your life comes from. Why do I promote people to work in blue collar careers? Because I like to see people happy that’s why! When people are accomplishing something, building something or actively involved in something where they can see changes almost immediately, it’s much more rewarding. Instead of trying to get your children into school because you think you don’t want them in a blue-collar career, why not ask them what they like? Chances are they are proud of you and proud of what you do! Being in any of these types of careers is a great choice if you enjoy what you do. Isn’t that what we tell people all the time – find a job you love and you’ll never “work” a day in your life! Well I know a lot more people in blue collar careers who like their choices. They wouldn’t have it any other way. This article from Forbes magazine is proving my point. More Millennials are heading into blue-collar careers and there’s a reason for it. They want more meaning in their lives without so much school debt. https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahlandrum/2016/12/14/why-more-millennials-are-choosing-blue-collar-jobs/?sh=4cf872b977f7

I hope I have at least inspired some of you to recheck what is important to you and see how important blue-collar careers really are. If your child or children don’t want to go to college or university, there’s plenty of other great career choices out there. If you’re tired of the white-collar lifestyle, there’s no shame in going blue collar. You’ll find the more you give of yourself, the more you’ll receive in return.