Mike Rowe on Work, Plain and Simple

[frostfire]

If I already enjoyed the show before this talk, I am now a fan. I don't see it as mere sensationalism/entertainment anymore as there's a deeper and profound lesson. Maybe there's still some left of that ol' fashioned, hard-working America that I had come to look up to and love dearly.

Mike Rowe sure is well-spoken and down-to-earth guy, I should write him a recommendation for the next dirty job episode: A recycling plant that processes waste products from beer manufacturing. Hands down, I think that was the most nauseating stench I have ever come across. Worse than PVA vapor or those meat refrigerators at New Orleans post Katrina.

Originally Posted by Bill Harsey

Students are being taught that it is sub-class to get their hands dirty.

I must confess, I was taught this way. However, spending a few years in environmental/chemical engineering in both private and government sectors changed that rather quickly. There was nothing clean about priming and repriming a sump pump to recover suspended product in the ditch.

Also, meeting and working with people all over the state in various plants and factories, I think Mike Rowe is right. I saw more sense of contentment, joy, and pride in their work than what I see in academics, offices, and labs. Like some of the comments on the page, I would highly doubt that had I not seen it myself.

Originally Posted by Bill Harsey

I've been told by high school counselors that there is no need to encourage a student to think about learning how to be a machinist because that's a dying trade.

I think that counselor needs to reread the statistics and figures. IIRC, I'd go as far as saying that expert machinist shortage matches that of registered nurses.

[Bill Harsey]

Originally Posted by frostfire

I think that counselor needs to reread the statistics and figures. IIRC, I'd go as far as saying that expert machinist shortage matches that of registered nurses.

That would be dozens of counselors. I've heard it myself on several occasions and I have a friend who's day job is programming and running machines to make commercial and military aircraft parts. His evening job is teaching CNC machine technology at a community college. He also hears many students complain of the same comments by their counselors.

In parts of Oregon there is a trend of those who have done nothing counseling others to be like them.

[aegisnavy]

Originally Posted by Bill Harsey

In parts of Oregon there is a trend of those who have done nothing counseling others to be like them.

I experienced this in high school and university. In high school (in Oregon, at least, Utah was a little different) it was "Why would you want to join the military?". In universtiy it was "Why would you waste a EE degree in the construction field?" It isn't always apparent at a young age to weigh the counselor's background against the advice given. I just count myself lucky that I was born with an integral BS meter.

[Utah Bob]

Dirty Jobs is one of the most entertaining and educational shows on TV. I've always liked Mike Rowe. His wit and insight are a delight. The show should be required viewing in most high school classrooms.

[Surf n Turf]

Mike Rowe, from DIRTY JOBS, has established a scholarship program for Hi-School Seniors that seems to be a great answer to young people finding work, and possible a career for jobs that are "available" in America. He also blasts the "Don't get your hands dirty" crowd, that pushes kids away from blue collar jobs.
I love his SWEAT pledge
SnT

http://www.video.theblaze.com/media/...nt_id=31120297

“The jobs right now that we have available, people don’t seem to want — and it makes no sense because we’re lending money we don’t have to kids who can’t pay it back to train them for jobs that no longer exist,”

Each mikeroweWORKS scholarship is worth $15,000 on average — a nice chunk of change. However, any high school senior interested in the program must first take the “S.W.E.A.T. Pledge” (Skills and Work Ethic Aren’t Taboo) and make a case as to why they are deserving of the scholarship in the form of a video.
“If your not willing to sign it, this particular pile of free money is probably not for you,” Rowe said.

Here’s the pledge via Rowe’s website, profoundlydisconnected.com:

1. I believe that I have won the greatest lottery of all time. I am alive. I walk the Earth. I live in America. Above all things, I am grateful.

2. I believe that I am entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Nothing more. I also understand that “happiness” and the “pursuit of happiness” are not the same thing.

3. I believe there is no such thing as a “bad job.” I believe that all jobs are opportunities, and it’s up to me to make the best of them.

4. I do not “follow my passion.” I bring it with me. I believe that any job can be done with passion and enthusiasm.

5. I deplore debt, and do all I can to avoid it. I would rather live in a tent and eat beans than borrow money to pay for a lifestyle I can’t afford.

6. I believe that my safety is my responsibility. I understand that being in “compliance” does not necessarily mean I’m out of danger.

7. I believe the best way to distinguish myself at work is to show up early, stay late, and cheerfully volunteer for every crappy task there is.

8. I believe the most annoying sounds in the world are whining and complaining. I will never make them. If I am unhappy in my work, I will either find a new job, or find a way to be happy.

9. I believe that my education is my responsibility, and absolutely critical to my success. I am resolved to learn as much as I can from whatever source is available to me. I will never stop learning, and understand that library cards are free.

10. I believe that I am a product of my choices – not my circumstances. I will never blame anyone for my shortcomings or the challenges I face. And I will never accept the credit for something I didn’t do.

11. I understand the world is not fair, and I’m OK with that. I do not resent the success of others.

12. I believe that all people are created equal. I also believe that all people make choices. Some choose to be lazy. Some choose to sleep in. I choose to work my butt off.

On my honor, I hereby affirm the above statements to be an accurate summation of my personal worldview. I promise to live by them.

[frostfire]

Mike Rowe for congress!!!

[twistedsquid]

I have always lived by 4 working tenets and echoed these to the young men (and women) who have worked for me.

1. Hard work is it's own reward.

2. Thank God that (this) work is hard, because if it wasn't, this would really suck.

3. I wouldn't know what to do with an easy day.

4. Reject any soft ride unless earned and necessary for recovery.

I have always liked Mike Rowe.

[echoes]

Originally Posted by ZonieDiver

In regard to Mike Rowe, I always told my daughters that there were NO "demeaning" jobs. People in your workplace or supervisours could demean you, but the work you did held the dignity that you brought with you to it - no matter what it was.

Very well said ZD!!! That can be applied to any field, anywhere, and at anytime, IMHO!

Holly--->A fan...

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by frostfire

Mike Rowe for congress!!!

Screw that, Mike Rowe should be President......

[Sohei]

I appreciate the fact that he has brought some light back to the blue collar world and away from the 10 channels of "Housewives of the rich and shameless" that we are bombarded with every day.

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by frostfire

Mike Rowe for congress!!!

I am afraid that there are some jobs, too dirty even for Mike.

TR

[mugwump]

The idea that "I'm too good" for an available job is pernicious and is destroying the nation. I've dug holes (what a satisfying job btw...my kids still point out to their friends the lights along the I-94 that I dug the footing holes for), cleaned grease traps, bagged groceries, driven a school bus, welded water treatment tanks and started three successful companies. All work is honorable. There are jobs going begging around here and the unemployment rate is sky high. Baffles me. Mike's the man.

[Dusty]

When I bought this shack over three years ago, I signed up for enough dirty jobs to last, literally, a decade. Didn't realize it at first, because my mission planning was off.

Not whining about it; just observing: the older I get, the harder it is for me to psych myself up for each task, but-when I finish one-the sense of accomplishment is just as gratifying as it was when I was a button.

I believe that's why those outdoor programs work so well for the inner-city kids.

[Mike]

I retired to my hometown in rural Illinois.

You cannot hire a fucking kid to turn over a rock, cut a blade of grass, or about any other thing.

They won't do it.

Big change since I left in 1965.