The Year of the Ukulele
The other day, I left
a comment on a blog post stating that I like learning
a new skill each year. I don't always do it but am happier when I do. Aside from encouraging healthy brain stimulation, learning a new skill gives life a richer meaning.
I think because I work in the public education world that I notice discussions regarding skilled trade versus college degreed
jobs. I'm here to say they are both needed and neither is better than the other. However, I've seen trends in past years where students were encouraged to follow the college path over a trade career. Now we're finding in the U.S. that we have a whole bunch of skilled baby boomers leaving jobs and no one to fill those jobs. Add to that dilemma the numerous college graduates with debt who cannot find employment, in their related field.
It's a real problem.
Skills are great to own. Useful. Handy.
Now
back to me. (You knew
that was coming, admit it!)
Some
years, I forget about adding a new skill to the collection. Or I work on a skill for awhile then watch the dream ride into the sunset without me. The
first skills I learned were self-taught. At 13 or 14, I taught myself how to sew a seam. At the age of 16 or 17, I taught myself to play the guitar. I still can't
read music, though.
Out of necessity or fun, I have self-taught:
- better gardening skills (currently doing this again);
- how to use power tools (i.e., saws, drill, sander);
- how to change the oil in my riding mower;
- to rewire lamps;
- to tile;
- how to build bookshelves;
- dog grooming (SO LOUSY at this one);
- and how to reupholster chairs.
This is
the year of the Ukulele. It is now May and the Ukulele is still
at the store.
T.
Is there a new skill you would you like to learn?
Comments
I would like to be able to tile.
There is always room for improvement in the skills I have some grasp of (but no expertise) as well.
Yvonne.
I like the way you list the things you're learning...all sorts of things. I should do that.
Totally agree about the need for a focus on trade jobs for some students. I remember there was a trade high school when I was growing up (auto mechanics, beauty salon, etc.) and that it ended up closing and those kids weren't being served well by the community.
At my job, there is always downtime and I used that to learn a new program or something new within a program.