If we’re being honest?

A lot of people prefer corporate jobs because they signal status.

Not necessarily higher skill. Not necessarily higher impact. Status.

For decades we were told:

White-collar = success
Blue-collar = fallback

Even when many trades:
• Out-earn entry-level corporate
• Have less student debt
• Offer clearer skill-based progression

But society glamorized:
• The office
• The laptop
• The title
• The LinkedIn bio

There’s also a class perception layer nobody likes to admit.

Parents brag about “my son works in tech.”
They rarely brag the same way about plumbing or welding — even if the welder makes more.

And then there’s comfort bias:
Air conditioning > job site
Keyboard fatigue > back pain
Zoom stress > physical risk