Why Getting a Trade First Can Be the Smartest Path to a College Degree
Students often hear that college should come first and a career will follow. My own life is proof that the opposite path can be just as powerful—if not more so.
I began my career working in the automotive industry. That trade gave me practical skills, steady employment, and a clear understanding of how education connects to real work. While working full time, I earned my associate degree, learning firsthand how valuable education becomes when it directly supports your career.
From there, my employers invested in me. Through employer-paid education, I continued my studies, ultimately earning my doctoral degree (Ed.D.). That journey—from the shop floor to the classroom—shaped how I see education today.
Now, as the principal of our adult education programs, I guide students through career pathways that combine skill, education, and opportunity. I’ve seen time and again that students who start with a trade are focused, motivated, and ready to lead. They earn while they learn, avoid unnecessary debt, and return to college with purpose and direction.
A trade doesn’t close doors—it opens them. When paired with education, it can lead to leadership, advancement, and long-term success.
I am living proof that starting with a trade can lead anywhere you’re willing to work for.
- Dr. McAlpin
Published 2/4/26
