Skilled Trades Offer Financial Security Amidst Gendered Industry Challenges

Key Quotes

"I do think that there's like at least big portions of our culture that doesn't encourage trade work in the way that we encourage white collar work why do you think that is why don't we encourage people to go into the trades I think there's two reasons I think one reason is that there is not widespread knowledge that trades people make money like a lot of money and make good money and that it's a good job and you can get paid well like you can make just as much as people who go to college."

Alden argues that a significant cultural gap exists in promoting trade work compared to white-collar professions. She identifies two primary reasons for this: a lack of awareness regarding the substantial earning potential in trades, and a general underestimation of these jobs as viable, well-compensated career paths. Alden highlights that trade professions can offer financial rewards comparable to or even exceeding those from a college education.

"I'm making more going to trade school than I ever made going to college and then I think it's just like it's hard and dirty I'm like girl I have swamp ass all day like I am sweaty I am dirty I am tired I am fighting for my life but I do feel that most days it's worth it."

Alden directly contrasts her trade school earnings with her college experience, stating she earns more now. She candidly describes the physically demanding and often uncomfortable nature of the work, including being sweaty and dirty. Despite these challenges, Alden asserts that the effort is generally worthwhile, indicating a strong sense of personal fulfillment and value derived from her chosen career path.

"A lot of people are encouraged to go to college and pay thousands of dollars for a degree whereas an apprenticeship is not something you pay for it's something that you get paid for so you do an apprenticeship and you learn by working and you get paid to do it until you finish your apprenticeship and become a journeyman."

Alden explains a key advantage of the apprenticeship system by contrasting it with traditional college education. She points out that apprenticeships are paid opportunities where individuals learn through hands-on work, rather than incurring significant debt for a degree. Alden emphasizes that this model allows participants to earn income while acquiring skills and progressing towards becoming a journeyman.

"I have a safety net now of my own you know like the only way to heal an insecure attachment is to build security with it and so I feel like by choosing a life where I was no longer afraid of money and afraid of making money and having money I've been able to start I mean I still struggle so much and I always will I think but I think I've really been able to create that secure attachment with money by knowing that it's there and it's not going anywhere and you're going to be okay."

Alden reflects on how her current financial situation has positively impacted her relationship with money. She believes that by actively choosing a career that provides financial security and stability, she has begun to overcome her previous money anxiety. Alden suggests that building this security has been instrumental in developing a more stable and less fearful attachment to her finances.

"I feel that what I want financially now in my life is not excess and not extreme wealth because that is totally fundamentally opposed to all that I believe in but I want security and enough to feel like I can really experience the joy of my life without the anxiety about money and I feel like I'm getting there I feel like I'm pretty close actually."

Alden articulates her current financial aspirations, which are centered on security rather than excessive wealth. She states that her desire for financial stability is rooted in her personal beliefs and aims to enable her to enjoy life without constant money-related anxiety. Alden expresses optimism that she is nearing this goal, indicating a sense of progress and contentment with her financial outlook.

"I feel both isolated in my work life because I'm surrounded by 98 men and that's really lonely and then I can feel really isolated in my personal life around the people who are supposed to be my peers because we just experience really different things every day like I think a lot of my friends they work with other young people other queer people they work with other women they are kind of in a different culture and I go to work and I hang out with conservative men all day."

Alden describes a dual sense of isolation stemming from both her professional and personal environments. She feels lonely at work due to being in a male-dominated field and also experiences isolation within her peer groups because her daily life and experiences differ significantly from theirs. Alden highlights the cultural divide between her work environment and her social circles, noting the contrast between interacting with conservative men at work and her peers in other cultural contexts.