If you’re trying to figure out what career to pursue in 2026, or you’re wondering whether college is still the right path in the age of AI, this video is for you.
This week I take you behind the scenes of my life as a Construction Superintendent while explaining the five biggest reasons I believe the skilled trades are one of the best career choices you can make over the next decade.
1. Demand Artificial intelligence isn’t replacing the trades. It’s creating even more work for them. The data centres, power infrastructure, fibre networks, substations, factories and manufacturing facilities that will power the AI revolution all have to be designed, built and maintained by skilled tradespeople. The demand for qualified workers is only growing, and this boom is expected to continue for many years.
2. Freedom One moment I’m brushing my teeth at a gas station beside the Hoover Dam. The next I’m driving across the American Southwest to another job site. My office changes every week, and that’s something I’ve always loved about construction. If the thought of spending your life behind the same desk every day doesn’t excite you, the trades offer a completely different lifestyle.
3. Money As demand continues to outpace the supply of skilled workers, wages are rising across the industry. Many qualified tradespeople earn well over six figures while getting paid to learn, gaining valuable experience instead of accumulating student debt. Skilled labour is becoming increasingly valuable, and that trend shows no sign of slowing down.
4. Purpose Few careers allow you to stand back at the end of a project and say, “I built that.” Whether it’s a bridge, a hospital, a data centre or critical infrastructure, construction leaves a lasting mark on the world. That sense of ownership and accomplishment is difficult to find anywhere else.
5. Growth I wasn’t always a superintendent. I started as an 18 year old who made plenty of mistakes, learned the hard way and gradually worked my way through the industry. Construction doesn’t just build projects. It builds people. If you’re willing to work hard, take responsibility and keep learning, the opportunities are endless.
If you’re interested in construction, entrepreneurship, self improvement and building a life worth documenting, consider subscribing. Every week I share what it’s really like working as a Construction Superintendent while building a future in America.
