Is prestige enough of a reason to get a white-collar job? Actually, no. There are several more important reasons that a white-collar job is better than a blue-collar job. A white-collar job accomplishes greater things for people, it generally provides a better living for the worker and his family, and it is far more likely to result in better jobs for others as well as for the worker.
A white-collar job accomplishes greater things for people because white-collar jobs influence economic factors and employment as well as creating technical innovations. As Gloria Steinem points out, "In addition to personal satisfaction, there is also society's need for all its members' talents" (196). The white-collar employee that invents a new computer system that can save patients' lives in the hospital emergency room or the employee that develops new technology that permits a manufacturer to view stock levels at all of its distributors across the nation are promoting life and prosperity, respectively. Although blue-collar workers do the work that moves the nation, white-collar workers in general do the work that improves the nation. It is the white-collar worker who makes medical breakthroughs, who develops solutions to common problems, and who gains insights into the nation's issues. Moreover, even where blue-collar workers may have good ideas, the white-collar worker is better positioned to effect change.
A white-collar job provides a better living for the worker and his family, as well. The salary of a corporate employee is well above that of a road worker, so the corporate employee can afford better food, a better home, better healthcare, and better education for himself/herself and his/her family. Opportunities for white-collar workers are also better. Largely college graduates, white-collar workers have connections among fellow collegians, business organizations, and other individuals and groups, whereas...