Why Picking Up a Hammer Might Be Smarter Than Picking a Major.

For decades, we’ve told young adults the same story:Pick the right major, get a degree, and everything else will fall into place. But in today’s economy, that advice deserves a hard second look. Student loan debt is crushing flexibility. Many degree-holders are under-employed. Entire white-collar industries are being reshaped by artificial intelligence. At the same time, the U.S. housing market is facing a massive shortage — not just of homes, but of people who know how to build them. That’s why picking up a hammer, a wrench, or a set of tools might actually be one of the smartest career moves available today.

1. Skilled Trades Offer Something College Often Doesn’t: Guaranteed Demand

One of the biggest advantages of a career in construction or the skilled trades is job demand — and that demand is especially strong in the Boise and Treasure Valley housing market.

Idaho continues to face a housing supply shortage, and Boise remains one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the region. New construction, remodels, infill projects, and infrastructure upgrades all rely on skilled labor — and there simply aren’t enough workers to meet demand.

Electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, framers, and finish carpenters are consistently needed across the Boise area. Builders aren’t waiting for work — they’re waiting for people.

That’s a major difference from many four-year degree paths, where graduates often compete for limited openings in crowded fields.

2. Earn While You Learn — Without Student Loan Debt

The cost of a traditional four-year degree continues to rise, while student loan debt limits flexibility for years after graduation.

The skilled trades offer a very different path.

Many construction careers provide:

• Paid apprenticeships

• On-the-job training

• Trade schools with significantly lower costs

• Immediate income while learning

In Boise and across Idaho, many tradespeople are earning solid wages early in their careers — without taking on tens of thousands of dollars in student debt. By the time many college graduates are entering the workforce, tradespeople already have experience, income, and upward mobility.

3. Housing Demand in Boise Isn’t Going Away

Housing cycles change, but people always need homes — and homes always need work.

Even when new construction slows, existing homes still require:

• Electrical upgrades

• Plumbing repairs

• HVAC replacement

• Energy-efficiency improvements

• Remodels and additions

  
  

Boise’s housing stock includes everything from older North End homes to newer subdivisions across Meridian, Kuna, and Nampa. That mix creates consistent, long-term demand for skilled labor.

The reality is simple: Boise cannot solve housing affordability or inventory challenges without people who know how to build and maintain homes.

4. AI Can’t Replace Electricians, Plumbers, or HVAC Techs

Artificial intelligence is already reshaping many white-collar careers — including entry-level roles in accounting, bookkeeping, and even web development.

But AI has clear limits.

AI can’t:

• Wire a home to Idaho building codes

• Install an HVAC system and pass inspection

• Diagnose plumbing issues inside walls

• Frame a house on a Boise jobsite in winter

• Adapt to real-world conditions in real time

  
  

Skilled trades are highly resistant to automation because they require physical presence, technical skill, and on-site problem solving. While many desk jobs face uncertainty, construction careers remain grounded in real-world demand.

5. Construction Careers Create Long-Term Options

Another misconception is that construction is a dead-end job.

In reality, many tradespeople in Boise and the Treasure Valley move into:

• Project management

• Estimating

• Site supervision

• Inspection roles

• Business ownership and contracting

  
  

Skilled trades also offer geographic flexibility. These skills are needed everywhere — from growing Idaho cities to rural communities.

Whether someone wants steady employment or the ability to build their own company, the trades provide multiple paths forward.

6. Boise Still Needs Builders

   Boise’s growth didn’t happen by accident — it was built by people with real skills.

As automation increases and student debt continues to weigh people down, careers that rely on hands-on expertise are becoming more valuable, not less. AI can automate spreadsheets.AI can generate reports. But it still takes skilled workers to build homes, install systems, and keep Boise growing.

In a world focused on picking the right major, picking up a hammer might be one of the smartest career decisions available today — especially here in the Treasure Valley.