Take Terrence Lurry, for example. At just 21, this chemistry student at Emory University had his sights set on becoming an electrician. But now, he’s gearing up for medical school in hopes of becoming a doctor.
Despite the fact that electricians can pull in over $70,000 a year and only require a high school diploma, Lurry opted for a white-collar path instead of sticking with a blue-collar trade.
Even with the extra schooling and potential student loans, this trend is being noted among Gen Z, according to new research.
Recent findings from a Jobber study suggest that Gen Z is becoming less interested in blue-collar jobs, with Hollywood influencing these perceptions more than we might think.
Although society is becoming more critical of the traditional college route and seems to be leaning towards vocational training, Gen Z, known for its skepticism, isn’t fully jumping on that train.
As “digital natives,” this generation has spent their formative years online, leading to media-driven notions of success that might differ significantly from those of their predecessors.
In fact, the Jobber survey found that over one-third of Gen Z—around 35%—indicated that movies and TV influenced their career aspirations.
Lurry points out, “Hollywood is definitely pushing a narrative that favors post-secondary education. You rarely see high school characters aspiring to blue-collar jobs in films and shows.”
This has important implications for the skilled trades, as 47% of Gen Z feels that portrayals of trade professionals in entertainment often skew negative, while the media tends to depict white-collar workers as more successful.
Growing up, Lurry saw many relatives in hands-on jobs, like construction and mechanics. “I thought I’d follow in their footsteps since those were the professions I was most familiar with,” he recalls.
However, various factors led him to choose a four-year chemistry program with hopes of eventually heading to medical school for pharmacology and anesthesia.
“If I pursued being an electrician, I think I would have enjoyed it, but I also felt that I’d be missing out on other career opportunities,” he said.
Lurry believes there’s a consistent push from Hollywood, schools, and parents toward higher education and traditional career paths. “There’s a popular notion out there that college is the ‘safer’ choice,” he added.
The stigma around trade jobs might be an obstacle for many in Gen Z, even if those paths can offer substantial benefits. The Jobber report points out that about 83% of Gen Z thinks that trade professionals lack the same sense of accomplishment as their white-collar counterparts, and 76% believe there’s a stigma associated with these jobs.
Still, some argue that Hollywood’s representations might not be the main reason Gen Z is bypassing vocational careers, especially when we consider the growing number of young men and women opting for higher education.
Data shows that women are enrolling in colleges at much higher rates than men, which suggests a significant number of young men may actually be gravitating towards trade work.
Although the stigma surrounding vocational education persists, expert Thompson views the issue more as a “class” dilemma, acknowledging that Hollywood’s influence is undeniable when it comes to shaping youth career outlooks.
Thompson elaborates, “The media plays a massive role in this. Every Saturday, you see hordes of kids at football games, dominating our TV screens. It can make others feel left out of what seems to be a grand race.”
Real-world impacts
The trend of Gen Z drifting away from trades could have significant consequences, particularly as the job market looks for alternatives to traditional college skills in a landscape increasingly dominated by automation and tech.
“Sometimes, I wonder what my life would be like had I started a heating and AC business in Texas,” says Thompson. “The skills taught in college are frequently made redundant by automation, but trades often complement technology rather than face elimination.”
Plumbers and HVAC technicians still need to physically show up at your home, and many key aspects of their work can’t be taken over by AI.
Thompson believes this could be detrimental in the long run. “With a four-year college degree, many people end up in careers unrelated to what they studied, which feels like a waste of valuable time,” he says.
Echoing this thought, Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin, points out that blue-collar jobs now tend to offer higher pay initially than traditional office jobs right out of school.
Obtaining a vocational degree often comes with far less financial burden, sometimes saving tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars, with hourly pay that can be double or triple that of white-collar roles. Moreover, these blue-collar jobs often allow for flexible schedules, something that Gen Z values.
“If we want to see a change in perception, we need to reframe the conversation around these topics,” Beene suggested.
Bryan Driscoll, an HR consultant, has seen firsthand how schools and parents often instill the belief that white-collar jobs are superior to blue-collar ones.
He points out, “When was the last time you watched a blockbuster where the main character was a skilled tradesperson? Instead, we’re inundated with images of tech wizards and corporate leaders.”