White Collar Workers Shouldn't Dismiss a Blue Collar Career Change

*The below excerpt taken from the Wall Street Journal article

It’s time for those struggling with a midcareer slump to consider another path

Could your pride handle working in construction, security or at an auto-body shop? The best way to get over your midcareer slump might be to get over yourself first.

Immediately, I thought of candy. Candy is a treat, sure, but it’s also a lot of sugar and calories you’ll have to work off later. The more I thought about it, though, nothing really fit. The closest thing I could think of was the tried and true blue-collar industry.

Layoffs and stagnant wages have a lot of white-collar workers feeling stuck. I hear constantly from people who have applied to a hundred or more desk jobs without luck. Meanwhile, blue-collar industries face a labor shortage. .

Pivoting to something more hands-on, or to an industry outside traditional white￾collar havens such as tech/finance/media/marketing, is an option many professionals don’t consider. That is even though the jobs and industries are generally less vulnerable to artificial intelligence, the earning potential is often comparable, and the work-life balance is frequently better. .

I know, I know. It takes years to master a trade and make good money at it. Starting in your 30s or 40s leaves a short window before your back and knees give out. A bruised ego isn’t the only obstacle to a career change.

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