The Color-collar industry terms have been coined in the United States for over a century! Since the roaring 1920s, work industries have been classified into various groups whether more technical, tactical (hands-on) or theoretical, and everything in between. It has certainly evolved over the last few decades.
Gold-Collar – These are highly-skilled multidisciplinarians in high demand. These are our professional workers such as surgeons, engineers, anesthesiologists, lawyers, and airline pilots. They perform very complex and nonrepetitive work that is rather difficult to evaluate. Gold-collar workers used to be classified as white-collar but are now much more distinguished.
White-Collar – These are professionals that work in an office who perform non-manual work such as physicians, administrators, managers, accountants, customer service representatives, finance, and IT. They are usually knowledge-intensive workers.
Blue-Collar – These are for tactile workers that don’t mind getting their hands dirty (literally). Some examples of careers of this technical/trade labor profession include factory/construction, plumbing, roofing, retail, manufacturing, and food services. You don’t need a college degree to work in the Blue Collar industry.
Green-Collar – These are for the environmentally conscious folks who work to make the world a ‘better place’ (renewable energy/energy efficiency). Backed by global support these jobs encompass eco-friendly careers to include environmental lawyers, waste management, recycling jobs, organic farmers, green vehicle engineers, and building architects.
Pink-Collar – I saved the best for last, my favorite, the care-oriented industry.? This working-class career field is traditionally dominated by women. Jobs include those in the beauty industry, teachers, secretaries, nurses, social workers, and babysitters.
There is truly a career out there for everyone. I find that in general, you should try your best to do what you love. And if what you love to do doesn’t pay enough, do both! I consider myself both a white-collar and a pink-collar worker. Which industry do you find most/least appealing and why? Which industry are you in and why?