Victoria Madsen, 25, once intended to become a lawyer, but has instead spent about five years maintaining ski lifts at Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah. While studying English at Utah Valley University, she accepted a seasonal position at the resort during her third year. When the ski season ended, an offer to remain as a mechanic opened an unexpected career path.
Despite having no mechanical experience, Madsen accepted after being assured that she would receive on-the-job training. The role paid $3 more an hour than her previous position, and she eventually left university: her earnings already exceeded what she had anticipated making after graduation. Her predominantly male colleagues encouraged her and willingly shared their knowledge. Since then, she has seen more women join the team. The income enabled her to rent her own flat and buy a new car. Proud of her occupation, she says she now earns more than most of her friends, although buying a house and having children remain financially uncertain prospects.
Her experience coincides with wider interest in skilled trades among young Americans. A Thumbtack survey of 1,000 people aged 16 to 30 found that nearly half were either training for a trade or seriously considering one. Some 30% said the rise of artificial intelligence had increased their interest in such work. For Madsen, the decision has already brought greater independence. She remains satisfied with her career choice and considers mechanic jobs plentiful, even while worrying about her longer-term finances.
