Victoria Madsen, 25, had intended to become a lawyer before a seasonal position changed her career plans. While studying English at Utah Valley University, she joined Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah and was subsequently offered off-season work as a lift mechanic. Despite having no mechanical experience, she accepted after being assured that training would be provided. About five years later, she remains proud of her profession.
The role initially paid $3 more per hour than her previous position, and Madsen eventually withdrew from college when her earnings exceeded what she had expected to make after graduation. The work enabled her to rent her own apartment and purchase a new car. She says she now earns more than most of her friends, although homeownership and the prospect of having children remain financial concerns. Her initially all-male crew encouraged her and taught her; since then, she has seen more women join both her team and industry conferences.
Her experience coincides with broader interest in skilled trades. Thumbtack's survey of 1,000 Americans ages 16 to 30 found that nearly half were pursuing a trade or seriously considering one. Thirty percent said artificial intelligence had increased their interest in such careers, while four in five believed it would eliminate many traditional entry-level positions. In a separate survey of nearly 1,500 trade professionals on Thumbtack's platform, almost eight in 10 said they would recommend the trades to young people. Madsen recently shared her own experience at a university career fair.
