Published by Hal Tezcan July 28, 2025, 4 min read. View on Medium
The taboo or stigma around sending kids to trade schools or two-year colleges
AI is likely to replace a significant portion — potentially 70% or more — of repetitive office-based jobs. The exact sectors are too numerous to list, and most people already know which ones are at risk. But the deeper issue isn’t just job displacement; it’s the widespread belief that a college degree, especially in fields like business, is the only path to a successful life. Over the past few decades, profit-driven private institutions have flooded the market with MBAs, churning out countless individuals trained more in bureaucracy than in innovation or practical skills.
There is a “taboo” in sending your kids to trade schools or community colleges. This taboo or stigma exists because of outdated values, societal expectations, and a misunderstanding of what success looks like. It’s less about the actual outcomes of trade or two-year programs (which are often very positive) and more about perception and social norms.
There has been a totally false overemphasis on bachelor’s degree ROI. While college grads on average earn more, this overlooks the rising cost of university education and student debt. Many trade school grads earn solid incomes without debt.
There is also the false perception of job security for college grads. People assume that a college degree guarantees better job security (not!), even though some trades (like electricians, contractors, builders or mechanics) are far more recession-proof than, say, financial, marketing, media or liberal arts jobs.
While this stigma is still strong (cultural and class prestige of an undergrad or grad school path, misconception about the need for trade works, lack of awareness or guidance, societal pressure and identity…), it is starting to shift. Skilled labor shortages (a serious problem in our country!), rising student debt, and a growing awareness of alternative pathways are leading more people to question the traditional route. But cultural attitudes are slow to change, and taboos linger.
Further deep dive into this mater:
The taboo or stigma around sending kids to trade schools or two-year colleges (like community colleges) is deeply rooted in cultural, economic, and social perceptions in many parts of the world — especially in the United States. Here’s a breakdown of why this exists:
1. Cultural Prestige of the 4-Year College Path
“College for success” narrative: For decades, society has promoted the idea that a traditional 4-year university degree is the gold standard for success and upward mobility. It’s often seen as the default path for smart or ambitious students.
Status symbol: Attending a well-known 4-year university has become a status marker, both socially and professionally. Parents often feel pressure to prove their parenting success through where their child goes to college.
2. Misconceptions About Trade Work
Undervalued labor: Trades like plumbing, welding, HVAC, and electrical work are wrongly seen as “less intellectual” or “less respectable” compared to white-collar professions, even though they often require serious skill and expertise.
Outdated image: People imagine dirty, grueling, low-paid labor, when in reality many trades are high-tech, well-compensated, and in-demand.
3. Lack of Awareness and Guidance
School counseling bias: Many high school guidance counselors and teachers are trained to push students toward 4-year universities and might not be informed about the opportunities in trades or community colleges.
Parents’ assumptions: Especially among middle- and upper-middle-class families, there’s often a lack of familiarity with trades or two-year colleges, leading to assumptions that those routes are for “underachievers.”
4. Economic Myths
Overemphasis on bachelor’s degree ROI: While college grads on average earn more, this overlooks the rising cost of university education and student debt. Many trade school grads earn solid incomes without debt.
Perception of job security: People assume that a college degree guarantees better job security, even though some trades (like electricians or mechanics) are far more recession-proof than, say, media or liberal arts jobs.
5. Social Pressure and Identity
Fear of judgment: Parents fear being judged by peers if their child “only” goes to trade school or a community college.
Personal ego: Some parents equate their child’s academic choices with their own success or failure. A non-traditional path can feel like a personal reflection on them.
6. Generational Shift (But Slow)
While the stigma is still strong, it is starting to shift. Skilled labor shortages, rising student debt, and a growing awareness of alternative pathways are leading more people to question the traditional route. But cultural attitudes are slow to change, and taboos linger.
In Short:
The taboo exists because of outdated values, societal expectations, and a misunderstanding of what success looks like. It’s less about the actual outcomes of trade or two-year programs (which are often very positive) and more about perception and social norms.