High school student wants to pursue trade school

DEAR HARRIETTE: I want to go to trade school, but my parents don’t approve. They want me to enroll full-time at a traditional four-year college, but that’s not what I want to do. My parents worry that I’ll limit my future or miss out on opportunities if I don’t follow the path they envision. I know they want what’s best for me, but I feel frustrated and unheard. I don’t want to disappoint them, but I also don’t want to pursue a degree that doesn’t align with who I am or how I learn best. I feel drawn to the idea of hands-on work. I have a knack for car engines, and I think trade school will get me into the workforce without overwhelming student loan debt. How do I get them to see my side while still honoring their concerns? — Less Beaten Path DEAR LESS BEATEN PATH: Do some research on the potential earnings for the path you are interested in pursuing. What does working with your hands mean in this economy when so many things are run by computers and soon by AI? Find out what roles are out there that appeal to you and what the trajectory is for earnings and opportunities. This is good for you to know as you choose a field of interest. It will also help your parents see that you are serious and that you are thinking about the future strategically.