Not everyone has the IQ for college study in engineering. Plumbing, electrical, HVAC, masonry, carpentry, (ugh) paint and drywall/plastering are the main construction gigs that are highly dependent on new home building trends unless you specialize in renovations (the most lucrative niche). While a few of these trades are physically demanding, if not crippling over many years, they are still the best alternative for those not capable of or interested in jobs that require university study. And not everyone unsuited to jobs that require advanced training or learning can make a higher 5-figure income, let alone 6 figures, at anything anymore without being really ingeniously creative or lucky enough to have the resources to become a contractor.
I don't know anything about the skills or knowledge needed to be a machinist or arborist or industrial safety inspector or any of the many non-university gigs out there, but these and similar trades can be and are taught/apprenticed at the community college level. Community colleges have in effect taken over the function of trade schools, and the better ones offer apprenticeships with local industries and businesses for bargain basement prices compared to university study that guarantees absolutely nothing in the way of post-degree employment.
Not everyone has the IQ for college study in engineering. Plumbing, electrical, HVAC, masonry, carpentry, (ugh) paint and drywall/plastering are the main construction gigs that are highly dependent on new home building trends unless you specialize in renovations (the most lucrative niche). While a few of these trades are physically demanding, if not crippling over many years, they are still the best alternative for those not capable of or interested in jobs that require university study. And not everyone unsuited to jobs that require advanced training or learning can make a higher 5-figure income, let alone 6 figures, at anything anymore without being really ingeniously creative or lucky enough to have the resources to become a contractor.
I don't know anything about the skills or knowledge needed to be a machinist or arborist or industrial safety inspector or any of the many non-university gigs out there, but these and similar trades can be and are taught/apprenticed at the community college level. Community colleges have in effect taken over the function of trade schools, and the better ones offer apprenticeships with local industries and businesses for bargain basement prices compared to university study that guarantees absolutely nothing in the way of post-degree employment.
Good luck with the engineering.