My dad wants me to learn a trade or skill to prepare for getting a job. Ideas?
I’m 14, and we don’t have much money, so whatever I want to study has to be available for free.
My dad doesn’t want me or my older siblings to be dependent on our parents in the future, because they won’t be able to support us financially.
So he’s made it an everyday chore for me and my siblings to study something to fall back on if we’re ever in financial trouble, or something to make money while building our careers.
The problem is, I have no idea what I want to do. I think I have a fear of thinking that far ahead, because I’m scared of making mistakes.
I appreciate what my dad’s doing for us, because I know we’re going to need this kind of knowledge to last in the real world, but I don’t know what to study.
Moreover, I can’t think of many options.
Does anyone have any ideas, or maybe a list of trades to study?
Also, thank you smiling_freds_biz_info, my dad actually bought a copy of Rich Kid Smart Kid for me and my siblings a year or two ago, it’s one of my favorites because I can read it over and over and still pick up something new each time.
I’ll be sure to look into How to Win Friends and Influence People.
Thanks everyone for your answers so far. 
i would say plumbing. a lot of people are stereotypical and think a plumber has to be a guy but it doesnt. you can go to any local plumbing company and ask them if you could be an ‘apprentice’. which means you help them out with work, and they help you out with teaching you the trade. if you’re lucky, they might even pay you. you could also do an apprenticeship in being an electrician.
Comments
It’s a good idea to learn a trade that will always be in demand. Even if it’s not really what you want to do with your life, you’ll always have it to fall back on if you need it. That’s a good thing. The best way to learn a trade is to become somebody’s apprentice. Unfortunately, you may have a tough time doing that since you’re only fourteen, but you never know. Here are just some trades you could consider (remember, just because you learn how to do something, it doesn’t mean you HAVE to spend your life doing that!): hairstylist (maybe you could get a part-time job as a shampoo person at a salon?); nurse (you might be able to volunteer as a candy striper or something); veterinarian (you could volunteer at a local animal rescue). Other trades that will probably always be in demand are plumber, court reporter, electrician, accountant, bartender, teacher, and physical therapist.
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First and foremost you should finish High School with good grades. If you get an opportunity to study mechanical drawing or drafting in high school you should definitely give it a try. If you like it, then you should try to save enough money for a copy of AutoCAD lite for your family’s computer. There are a variety of directions that you can go with some high school education in drafting and a little personal initiative at learning AutoCAD. I am an engineer and I work with many smart hardworking draftsmen who earn a very good living, but who simply did not have the money for college. All types of construction companies need draftsmen, from the builders of homes to roads and bridges to those that build oil refineries (which incidently pay the most if you can get a job with one.)
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I like to recommend a best selling book:"Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki. Check your Library.
It’s written so that a 9 year old can understand it – because that is when he learned life’s lessons from his ‘Rich Dad’.
Your parents will enjoy it too. Unfortunately this information is not taught in schools….because the teachers never learned it either….
Also: enjoy your quest…but don’t take life so seriously. It’s OK to be a kid too.
On mistakes: If you aren’t making any mistakes, you aren’t learning anything.
Another book that will help you…is a Classic…and again it’s not part of any school curriculum: ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’ by Dale Carnegie.
You’ll do very well in Life.
Stay Positive and be sure to…
Keep Smiling!
from me to you and you Family.
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A trade or skill is always a good idea but a good education is even better. Excellent marks and attitudes can lead to student bursaries and scholarships which would (could) give you both an excellent education & better paying jobs. That should be your first priority.
Now, a back up plan is also a good idea however it depends upon your inclinations and skills. At age 14, unless you have a certain plan in life (ex. my cousin wished to be a notary since age 10, she is one) find out what you are good at first. Do you have eye hand coordination? Fast hands? You can figure the answer to …(whatever) just by eye sight (can be using tools, cutting cloth, cutting wood, etc..). The only way you are going to be good at this is to try things out. At age 14, this is NOT, repeat NOT a commitment for life, but trial and error to find out what you are good at. This is what your father wished you to work upon. Find out and develop what YOU are good at.
If your father needs a hand in the washroom, aid him (maybe a plumber). Try making meals for the family at home on occasion (maybe a chief), renovations at home (roofer, construction crew, planter, gardener, etc…). When the occasion allows itself, try a part time job at.. say McDonald’s (customer service, possibly management.. besides you get paid). Try joining up in school organizations (management, organization and logistics which are both secretarial and managerial skills).
Finally, although this should be first when I think of it, TALK to your parents about this. I believe your dad wishes you to improve yourself in order to make yourself not dependent upon others in order to do what YOU can do yourself. I believe he does wish you the best but wants YOU to seek out what your skills and talents are and develop them. You know what, this is good fun to try doing what you are good at. As you progress, you get better, it builds more confidence and the cycle repeats itself (although setbacks are useful too if you accept them as things that occur and will allow you to continue).
Good luck.
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March 31st, 2010 at 4:19 am
i would say plumbing. a lot of people are stereotypical and think a plumber has to be a guy but it doesnt. you can go to any local plumbing company and ask them if you could be an ‘apprentice’. which means you help them out with work, and they help you out with teaching you the trade. if you’re lucky, they might even pay you. you could also do an apprenticeship in being an electrician.
References :