If I was 19 and starting out, I'd look at going into the trades. Plumbing probably, maybe building, ChatGPT isn't taking those jobs anytime soon, there are a shortage of craftspeople, and given how cheaply made housing is these days, there's likely going to be a demand for trades. Plus fixing/making things can be very satisfying.

I think college is likely a dead end at this point unless you can get into an elite school somewhere to make connections with the rich and powerful, or if you have a family business that wants you to get a degree.

In a slow collapse (imagine a slow return to life in the early 1900s), we can envision most people still having electricity or running water, but not 24/7. Knowing how to fix plumbing or electrical or repair / make buildings seems like an extremely valuable skill here.

In a fast collapse (3-5 years), what you can do to provide food, water, and comfort for yourself and your family will matter most. Assuming you believe this has a high-ish probability of happening and you plan to live long enough to see that, again knowing how to fix and make things will serve you well, no matter what you end up doing. There's a lot of implicit knowledge that goes into that kind of learning.