Are you thinking about taking the plunge and choosing a career in one of the trade professions? Smart move – trade professions offer rewarding careers that span a wide range of opportunities, tracks, and advancement. However, before you choose your trade career path, you have to do your research. Which of the many trade professions available is going to be best suited to both your skills and your goals? Check out this quick guide – it’ll help you wade through the many different trade profession options out there and choose the one that’s going to guarantee your long-term success and fulfillment.
What are Trade Professions?
Let’s start with the basics. What are trade professions? Basically, a trade profession – or trade job – is one that requires advanced training and skills. Here are a few more characteristics that help better define trade professions:
- You go to a trade or technical school to prepare for them instead of pursuing a traditional bachelor’s degree.
- The education is often a mix of classroom learning with on-the-job training.
- You may have to complete an apprenticeship with an employer.
- It’s true that trade professions have different hazards than a standard office job, but there are strict standards designed to keep tradespeople safe at work.
Trade professions span everything from plumbing, automotive, electric, and HVAC careers, just to name a few. This means the options are pretty much endless when it comes to choosing the path best suited to you.
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How Can I Choose the Right Trade Profession?
Before you choose one of the many trade professions available to you, ask yourself these questions.
- Which trade interests me?
- What specific job do I want in that specific trade career? For example, do I want to learn a plumbing trade and become a commercial plumber?
- What type of work environment do I want? Do I want to choose a path like an HVAC career and work in the field, or do I want to choose another role and work in the same factory or office every day?
- What salary goals am I trying to achieve, and which roles match them?
- What job growth and advancement is available to me?
If you’re still not sure which trade profession is for you, you can always talk to a career counselor. They can point you in the right direction, help you choose the right school, and help you look for pre-apprenticeship programs that give you an idea of what the trade is like before you actually commit to a program.
What Education is Required for Trade Professions?
Once you’ve chosen a trade and decided which job in particular you’d like to pursue, it’s time to think about education. Your options will likely include vocational or technical schools, community colleges, or even military technical training. Decide which education path is going to fit your timeline and also the goals you want to achieve when you graduate from the program. Once you’ve chosen a career path and decided on the route you’ll go with your education, you’re well on your way.
Ready to start your HVAC or plumbing trade career? Contact Superior HVAC today to discuss joining our team.