#8 interview

I interviewed Joanne Zucconi a graduate of the Beauty School of Bergen County and certified Cosmetologist.  I chose to interview her because she has been working in her field of study for about 35 years and has advised her two children on decisions of college or trade school.  Both of her children went received College degrees.  She chose to go to trade school because she was not happy with the secretarial job she received out of high school and was suggested by a friend that she go to beauty school.  In 9 months her training changed her life.  She was placed in a job right out of school but was not happy with her placement and changed jobs very quickly.  Employment has never been an issue for her even when the economy crashed and she has been able to sustain middle class wages simply by accepting more or less hours.   She was never pushed into college and never even considered it as a young adult.  When asked if she would encourage people today to consider vocations or education she said that she would consider it best for people to have a little of both.  "Having some classes in business is good so you are more informed owning your own business, maybe just basic accounting , I learned through colleagues  but it never hurts to take a class at a community college." She believes people today should try to get a degree but they should not be forced.  she says "People should go to college for at least one semester and try it out.  If you don't know what you want to do then go to community college it doesn't break the bank and its a trial thing but always give it a shot."  she concluded by saying, "I knew some one who complained that her husband who had no degree and worked for the telephone company and made more money than her.  When she finally got her masters she made more money than him and that was her goal but his telephone company job wasn't that bad but it irritated her but today these people can make fortunes. In general people should not look down on people who went to technical school because we fix your cars, your hair and your houses.  Without us where would you be? We need to get rid of this taboo surrounding skilled workers.  We are still educated people and we deserve to be treated that way."  This is helpful because it is not based on numbers or statistics or even expert's predictions of what will happen with the job market, it is the experiences of someone who has been there and seen her own experiences and those of her husband, whose outcome was not so good.