I interviewed with 7 medical schools before developing the clarity that I had no desire to take on the debt load, and even less desire to live the lifestyle of a healthcare professional.

It's funny that you bring up plumbing as I was having a "heated debate" with someone the other day about the actual utility and "value" that most jobs carry. Water sanitation and plumbing services were some of the few that I could truly think of as "vital."

And yes, the trades have carried a negative connotation for quite some time unfortunately. The snootiness that you mentioned of others is so bizarre to me as most jobs are simply routine skill sets and knowledge bases that are learned through repetition and time. I just don't see many as having inherently more "value" than the next; then again, I've done a fair amount of work to get my ego in check.