The Outnumbered panel on Fox News, hosted by Lisa Boothe, dove into a major cultural shift happening across America’s younger generation. According to a new study cited on the show, 42% of Gen Z is now pursuing skilled trades like electrical work, plumbing, and welding – careers once dismissed in favor of college degrees. What’s driving the move? Fear of AI’s growing presence in the workplace – and the growing sense that college may no longer be worth the price tag.
Lisa Boothe Sets the Stage: The AI Wake-Up Call
Lisa Boothe introduced the segment with a powerful observation: Gen Z isn’t blind to the changes AI is bringing. Instead of clinging to outdated career promises, they’re making pragmatic decisions. Boothe summarized the findings – young people are looking for “hands-on work that is difficult to automate,” a fact that’s changing the American career pipeline. Boothe’s framing placed a spotlight on a growing concern: automation doesn’t threaten all jobs equally.
Kaylee McGhee White: The False Promise of College
Kaylee McGhee White, a journalism fellow at the Steamboat Institute, jumped in to criticize the narrative Gen Z was raised on. “They were sold one path: go to college, get a degree, and get a white-collar job,” she said. But that formula is breaking down. Many degrees, she noted, no longer lead to meaningful or relevant careers. Worse, McGhee said, colleges are increasingly focused on political indoctrination rather than offering real intellectual value. This, she argued, is why so many young adults are now “looking elsewhere” for purpose and income.
Charles Hurt: Plumbing Won’t Be Automated
Fox & Friends Weekend cohost Charles Hurt gave perhaps the most passionate defense of trade work. “You will always need electricians. You will always need plumbers,” he said firmly. While AI may streamline tasks or assist with efficiency, Hurt insisted, it won’t replace the human skills needed to repair a water heater, wire a house, or build a fence. He even added a financial angle: someone who goes into trades at age 20 can quickly start earning $60,000 or $70,000 a year – often far more than a college grad saddled with debt.
Nicole Saphier: AI Isn’t the Enemy – But It’s Changing Everything
Dr. Nicole Saphier, a physician and Fox News contributor, struck a balanced tone. She acknowledged the fear around AI but said it doesn’t have to be viewed as a threat. “AI plus humans is incredibly powerful,” she said, especially in fields like healthcare. Still, she didn’t downplay the shift – she agreed now is a “perfect time” to go into the trades, especially with former President Trump recently redirecting $3 million in grant money toward trade schools. The opportunity, she said, is wide open for anyone willing to grab it.
Leslie Marshall: Gen Z’s Fear Is Justified
Leslie Marshall, another Fox contributor and one of the few Democrats on the panel, brought a personal touch to the discussion. As a mother of teenagers, she admitted AI “terrifies” her. Marshall acknowledged that college applications are still booming, but added that many students feel uncertain about the economy. With tariffs, layoffs, and automation shaking white-collar stability, trades now offer what college no longer guarantees: job security and a living wage. She also praised strong unions, calling trade jobs a backbone of American labor.
A Career that Starts Without Debt
Another major reason Gen Z is shifting away from college is financial practicality. As Charles Hurt emphasized, trade school is often cheaper and faster than a four-year university. Instead of graduating with $100,000 in debt and a degree with limited job prospects, young workers can enter the trades with certifications, apprenticeships, and real-world skills that start paying off immediately. Hurt described it simply: “You can make a boatload of money very quickly.”
The Decline of Trust in Higher Ed
Kaylee McGhee White didn’t hold back in her criticism of universities. She described them as institutions more interested in shaping minds politically than educating students for real-world success. “They aren’t teaching you how to think for yourself,” she said. As a result, college has lost its deeper meaning for many young people. What used to be a place for discovery and knowledge has, in her view, become a place of indoctrination, and that has pushed students toward trade work that feels more honest and results-driven.
Trump’s $3M Trade School Investment
Dr. Saphier brought attention to a noteworthy political development: Donald Trump’s recent move to redirect $3 million away from programs accused of antisemitism and instead invest that money into trade education. This policy, she argued, could help thousands of young people start careers that allow them to own businesses, set their own schedules, and become financially independent. It’s a quiet but potentially game-changing shift that hasn’t received enough attention.
AI: Enhance or Replace? The Debate Continues
While some panelists like Saphier see AI as a tool to be embraced, others remain cautious. Leslie Marshall cited “computer-generated robots telling you things that aren’t true” as one of her biggest fears, particularly in customer service and healthcare settings. She urged the need for regulations, arguing that the U.S. is still behind in AI governance. Even if AI isn’t fully replacing humans yet, the fear of what it could do is real, and that fear is pushing more people into “AI-proof” jobs.
Unions, Trades, and Politics Collide
The discussion took a brief political turn as the panel debated which party truly supports union jobs. Leslie Marshall, a Democrat, claimed her party still stands with unions like the Teamsters and United Steelworkers. But Charles Hurt countered that union workers have increasingly voted Republican, especially under Trump. He said it’s not about messaging – it’s about policy. “They realized Trump was talking about the issues they care about,” he said, including job security, wages, and trade protections.
This Is More Than a Trend – It’s a Cultural Reset
This isn’t just a change in career preferences. What we’re seeing is a broader rejection of the old playbook. Gen Z isn’t naive – they’re adapting to a world where AI, economic uncertainty, and disillusionment with higher ed have turned everything upside down. And they’re responding by building something real. Something human. Whether it’s plumbing, welding, farming, or electrical work, they’re choosing careers with meaning, stability, and control. That’s not just practical – it’s revolutionary.
Gen Z Is Rewriting the Rules
The Outnumbered panel painted a clear picture – young Americans are stepping off the traditional college-to-cubicle path and choosing a new route rooted in trade skills, economic independence, and real-world purpose. AI may not be the enemy, but it’s definitely the wake-up call. And as Gen Z leans into trades, they’re not just escaping the AI wave – they’re laying the foundation for a new kind of American workforce.
Gary’s love for adventure and preparedness stems from his background as a former Army medic. Having served in remote locations around the world, he knows the importance of being ready for any situation, whether in the wilderness or urban environments. Gary’s practical medical expertise blends with his passion for outdoor survival, making him an expert in both emergency medical care and rugged, off-the-grid living. He writes to equip readers with the skills needed to stay safe and resilient in any scenario.
