Pros & Cons of a Blue Collar Career

Blue collar careers have their pros and cons, but it is usually up to the individual. To help you decide if a blue collar career is for you, here are a few of the ups and downs.

CONS

Lack of Mental Stimulation. The largest complaint that many people have about blue collar careers is that they don't stimulate the brain as much as a desk job or management position. Most of your days will be filled with the same repetitive tasks until and unless you manage to transcend the "assembly-line" status and become an owner or manager.

Physical Stress. While your brain might not sustain a workout, blue collar careers are hard on the body. Many blue collar careers involve strenuous physical labor day-in and day-out. They can also involve potential hazards that might leave you injured and unable to work at all, which is certainly a con.

Social Prejudice. Unfortunately, the boys in the plush corner offices often look down on blue collar workers, which can put a strain on your ego and self esteem. If you don't like the idea of being judged by your career choice, you might not want to pursue a career as a blue collar worker. Even if you make more than those corner-office people and even if you drive a better car, your profession can work against you when it comes to social interaction.

Automation. Many of the blue collar careers that have long been in-demand are being cut out due to automation. If a company can purchase a machine to do the job that a man used to take care of, they're going to buy the machine rather than fork over a salary and benefits. This is causing the loss of thousands of jobs all over the country, so beware.

Hazardous Conditions. As mentioned above, one of the largest cons to a blue collar career is the hazardous physical conditions. When you're working construction or maintenance or repair, you run the risk of hurting yourself, which might take you out of the work force entirely. Even worse, many employers of blue collar workers try to cut corners in order to save money, which could put your life (or at least your limbs) in serious jeopardy.

PROS