Custodial services programs prepare people to clean and care for buildings. Students learn to empty garbage cans, clean floors and restrooms, and dust. Some programs also teach basic maintenance skills, such as caring for furnishings and light fixtures.

The third law of thermodynamics can be roughly paraphrased as: The entropy of the universe is always increasing. Entropy is a chemist's fancy way of describing a state of disorder. In other words, unless you're Mary Poppins, your room won't clean itself.

You don't need to be a scientist to know that this is true. And if you think your room gets messy, just imagine the awful state buildings would be in if nobody put in any work to keep them clean. Thankfully, we have custodians and janitors.

Often working in the evenings and behind the scenes, custodians and janitors clean and help repair buildings to keep them in operating order. As a custodian, you can work in a variety of places, from schools to office buildings, hospitals to private residences. You could also start your own business and work as a custodial services contractor.

In a custodial services program, you learn cleaning procedures for different parts and kinds of buildings. And with the growth of technology, cleaning materials and equipment continue to change and improve. For this reason, you might learn to operate machines or use environmentally safe cleaning materials. You could also learn to do simple maintenance procedures such as checking the plumbing or heating systems.

Many vocational schools and community colleges offer certificates in custodial services. Earning one of these certificates typically takes between a few months to a year of full-time study after high school.