Author: Shari

Education Affords the Choices ~ Honorable Jobs ARE the Good Jobs

Shari

From the MRW Water Cooler: Q: Mike, I’m a public school teacher in Texas, one of the lowest ranking states in education. I’m doing what I can one 8th grader at a time. Would it be offensive to the people who go out and work these dirty jobs every day (yes I know I need them to keep my cozy little world running!) to reference some of the ones I’ve seen as a “stay in school” message? It’s my job to use what kids like to try and motivate them, and they love this show. I’m not all about political Read More

San Francisco Chronicle – Q&A: "Dirty Jobs" star Mike Rowe

Shari

Mike dishes the dirt and answers the questions in this column that sounds right up his alley ~ “The Poop”. Q&A: “Dirty Jobs” star Mike Rowe By Peter Hartlaub My 5-year-old son is a huge “Dirty Jobs” fan. He’s polite about it, but it’s pretty clear that star Mike Rowe is the father he wishes he had. I’ve heard a lot of Mike Rowe love in the comments over the years. Add the fact that this blog is called “The Poop,” and it seems like an obvious place for a Q&A with the star. Rowe is exactly like he is Read More

Mike Rowe Works Hard for Unemployed Vets

Shari

Bruce Watson from AOL’s Daily Finance talked to Mike about the issues returning military face when trying to enter the work force again and how a “Reverse Boot Camp” could be beneficial. DOWNLOAD PDF [document url=”http://profoundlydisconnected.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/DJ-Mike-Rowe-Works-Hard-for-Unemployed-Vets-Reverse-Boot-Camp.pdf” width=”700″ height=”906″ responsive=”no”]

Good Magazine: America’s Dirtiest Interview (Yet)

Shari

Mike Rowe, the host of Dirty Jobs, is building a resource for skilled trades, sounding off about the false dichotomy of blue versus white collars, and extolling the virtue of good old-fashioned filth. As the creator and host of Discovery Channel’s Dirty Jobs, Mike Rowe has wisecracked his way through almost 300 apprenticeships at some of the country’s hardest jobs, poking fun at himself whenever possible, and demonstrating that hard work and good humor go hand in hand. In 2008, Rowe launched his website an online resource center for anyone looking to explore a career in the skilled trades, which Read More

Mr. Rowe Goes to Washington (and Peoria, etc.)

Shari

October 10, 2010 Finally home, and man am I tired. Frankly, I don’t remember the last time I felt this whipped. Then again, I don’t remember the last time I’ve been this old. Coincidence? Probably not. Looking back, I can see now that each of the last ten days required a separate part of my brain. Which is probably why nothing got my undivided attention. Started in Peoria, where I got to know the big shots over at Caterpillar, and some of the smaller shots as well. Really an amazing company and a very nice bunch of regular folks. They Read More

The Future of Farming

Shari

The last time I was in Indianapolis was the summer of 2003. I remember it pretty well because I was still sulking about The Colts being moved there without my permission and not quite over their inglorious departure from my hometown of Baltimore twenty years earlier. My bitterness melted away however in nearby Plainfield at The National Chimney Sweep Training School, the site of my very first Dirty Job. There, I was instructed in the fine art of “flue maintenance,” and engulfed inflames while attempting to extinguish a raging creosote fire from the top of a rickety demonstration platform. Things went downhill Read More

Building Symmetry

Shari

Funny thing about symmetry – you never know it’s going to happen until the moment it actually does, and then all of a sudden, you say things like “Well, how about that? That was very symmetrical.” Which is pretty much what happened when I heard from “Go Build Alabama.” “Go Build Alabama” is a website built to champion Skilled Labor. It’s funded by the construction industry and the state of Alabama, and similar in many ways to mikeroweWORKS. I know this because the organizers told me as much when they first called a few months ago to tell me they Read More

John Adams ~ Independent, Politically Incorrect and Would Look Great on a $50 Bill

Shari

From Mike’s forum on Discovery: Q: As we celebrate our nation’s birthday ~ the 4th of July, have you ever considered which president you would have liked to have met? — Pen   John Adams My reasons why are between the covers of McCullough’s biography on the man and his presidency, and too numerous to mention here. But for starters, he was a true patriot who almost single-handedly got the second Continental Congress to declare our independence. He wrote amazing love letters to his wife everyday. And he was the only founding father to never own a slave. In spite Read More

Mike Replies To A Slightly Offended, Not Very Enthusiastic Scout

Shari

Dear Mike Rowe, Hello, I am a boy scout in Iowa, and I read the letter you sent to a boy who was contemplating whether or not to become an eagle scout. I am sorry to say this, but I am slightly offended by the meaning I interpreted when you brought up taking the path to become an eagle scout, or living a life of predictability and mediocrity. I honestly am not a very enthusiastic scout, I know that, others have told me that, and I doubt I will go for my eagle. But, I am one of the top Read More

To What Degree Do You Think A College Degree Matters?

Shari

From Mike’s Forum on Discovery: Q: Mike I’m curious how you, who attended 6 years of college, came to appreciate and respect the people who do the less glamorous jobs. Did your parents raise you to appreciate every one’s struggle? Seems like a simple point these days, but it’s shocking how many people still think that schooling has anything to do with wisdom, knowledge or value to society. What’s your opinion? — M My opinion is that, in general, a college experience will make you a much richer person. A college degree however, will not. As you suggest, the pursuit Read More

Can We Help But Be Defined And Sometimes Hardened By Our Work?

Shari

There comes a time in life when you know deep down, that you have become HARDENED and for me it is a fringe benefit of the working class. I feel it is earned and not just handed out. When I look at my Father and uncles, who are in the same career field as I am you can just tell that they are hardened and it is something that you can’t put a price tag on – to me it is one of those things that are passed down from generation to generation. Have you reached this sweetness, in your Read More