I'm in a bit of a crossroads in my life right now. I've been in junior college for a while now, with the intention of transferring to a university and eventually getting a masters in history. It's my intention to become a professor at the junior college level, but I have my doubts. I know what the job market in academia is like, though it isn't quite as bleak where I live. My grandfather is also offering me an opportunity to work for him and learn from him. He's incredibly skilled in a very esoteric trade, and he pays pretty well. My uncle and brother already work for him, and they seem to enjoy it. Thing is, it's a big commitment. 80-100 hour weeks at times, sometimes out working in extreme heat, and it would keep me away from home and away from my girlfriend. All of that I can live with, but I know it would nag at me, the thought that I could've done what I'm really passionate about (i.e. teach history), which it must be said is probably an easier life than trade work.
What on earth should I do? I'm at the point in my life that I should be making some real money, though I'm not hurting for it right this moment. If I can't get the degrees without a mountain of debt, I likely just won't do it, but even if I can manage that, I'd like to know that it won't be impossible to find a job that doesn't involve treading water as an adjunct.
Edit: Wow, I did not expect this many responses. Thank you all so much for your kind words and insight. If nothing else, you've all reassured me that I'll probably be alright either way. I've at least got a fair few options to choose from, and I know many would gladly trade places with me. I'll do my best not to waste it.
learning skills is cool. learning a trade is cool. i think it can be as enriching/edifying as formal education. i dropped out of school at 20 and worked a couple of different trades for 10 years before going back to get a BS and then an MS in adjacent fields. i also managed to get the MS completely paid for by an employer.
the skills i picked up in that decade have been invaluable and the practical experience gave me critical insight into abstract concepts and were instrumental in developing the communication skills to deploy that knowledge in elegant ways.
i would slam dunk say go for the trade for a while, accepting that going to school later in life is totally underrated, however...
that sounds toxic as fuck. i used to do 60-70 hour weeks when i was full of idealism and youthful energy, and it was not good.