Mike Rowe - My Hero

Mike, I have watched you climb into wet, nasty, deplorable conditions to show us what people have chosen to do for work. Whether, you are working on a farm or in a car factory, you have shown us how important every job is. Without people willing to do these necessary jobs, our society would not be what it is today.

Digging for night crawler worms when the tide is out is a thankless job. Who would have ever known about this activity without you bringing attention to it? Cleaning trash out of sewage systems is definitely needed, otherwise, our streets would be flooded with all manor or nastiness. Repairing a floating barrier in Louisiana to control flooding is never more appreciated than when a hurricane is bearing down on the Louisiana coast. I'm still not sure how you dealt with those slimy eels and the mess that was left behind. 

I applaud you for doing what you do. I also totally respect you for showing us that we don't all have to be lawyers, doctors, and investment bankers. There are so many necessary skills that are in short supply, yet, young people are being pushed into rolls that require excessive, and time consuming college training. When people are told they can work and learn at the same time and earn a living from the very beginning, I don't understand why people aren't flocking to those positions in droves. Apprenticeship programs are great for keeping young folks out of debt. 

I am always so proud to hear of young people who choose a life of service. Our first responders don't get enough credit. I have a friend who chose to be a firefighter straight out of high school. He has completed his on-the-job training and has been hired on full time with a great career ahead of him. The choice he made has kept him out of debt and allowed him to start a family without worrying about how he will provide for them.

Thank you for encouraging our youth to consider careers they would not have normally looked into. Each one is necessary. Who can help when our air conditioner is on the fritz? Only an HVAC trained individual can keep my home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. When the hot-water heater pipe breaks and leaks in to the basement, a banker can't fix it. I want to hire someone who is an expert at fixing plumbing problems. Electrical problems are an emergency in my opinion. A trained electrician can do what is needed to prevent possible fires that could destroy homes.

I hope you don't mind, and I ask forgiveness in advance, but I am tagging you and your foundation to help bring attention to the options available to our upcoming youth. I believe you are sincere in your efforts, and I fully support what you do. As I have noted many times on Facebook, I would support your efforts toward a run for the presidency. You might just be one of the most important and likable public figures. There are very few public figures that I openly support, and you are at the top of the list.

For those of you reading this, encourage young folks to consider choosing skilled careers that are quickly going away, yet essential. I encourage you to visit the mikeroweWORKS Foundation page (@mikeroweworks) to discover the possibilities. You might also enjoy reading Mike's articles and listening to his podcasts.

Thank you, Mike, for serving our community and helping our youth discover and learn what it takes to get the work done. What you do helps to solve the problems of skilled labor shortages. Please continue to do what you do best. In the meantime, good luck with your ventures of serving, solving, and learning.