Angela Christine posted:

In this thread I think "trades" is sort of shorthand for the jobs that don't require a degree, but do require some skills and training. The stuff that requires 1 or 2 years a trade school or career college.

For example the medical industry is booming. Baby booming. And a lot of those jobs aren't in danger of becoming automated any time soon. In a couple years you can be a licensed practical nurse, a pharmacy assistant, dental assistant, medical imaging technician (x-rays and CAT scans, etc), laboratory technician, physical therapist assistant, respiratory therapist, phlebotomist, optician, etc. You won't get the cool initials after your name like your boss who spent 7-10 years training for his job, but it is steady indoor work for decent pay, and you won't be starting trapped under a mountain of debt.