I skipped grad school and became a mechanic instead. I ended up getting a dream job at Tesla.

• Diana Welsch went to art school before deciding to train as a car mechanic at 25.
• When she landed a job as a trainee at Tesla, she moved from Arizona to Los Angeles.
• She said it was the best job she ever had, but she left in 2023 because of the pressure at work.

This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Diana Welsch about training to be a car mechanic instead of going to grad school. Business Insider has verified her income and employment. The following has been edited for length and clarity.