Can you really build a great life — and even real wealth — in the skilled trades?
In this episode, I sit down with Eric Truxon, a seasoned electrical contractor based in the Philadelphia area, who took a path you don’t hear about very often. Eric earned a degree in electrical engineering… then walked away from an office career to go through a full electrical apprenticeship and build a contracting business that’s lasted decades.
We talk candidly about:
• Why sitting behind a desk wasn’t the right fit
• The real earnings potential in the electrical trades
• Prevailing wage work and why most wage data is misleading
• College vs skilled trades — what parents should actually consider
• Labor shortages, apprenticeships, and the missing middle generation
• The realities of running a small contracting business
• Whether it’s still possible to become a millionaire in the trades
Eric brings a rare dual perspective — engineering education *and* hands-on field experience — and offers practical insight for:
• Young adults deciding between college and the trades
• Parents questioning the ROI of college
• Skilled trade professionals considering starting a business
• Contractors navigating labor shortages and cash-flow challenges
This conversation is honest, grounded, and based on real experience — not theory.
If you’re trying to make smart career decisions in a rapidly changing world, this one is worth your time.
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