I floundered in white-collar jobs until I found my calling as an electrician in my 40s

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The rear view of a woman construction worker in a white hard hat with a hi-vis orange jacket on and a plaid shirt facing solar panels.
Rachel Hoobing (not pictured) said she didn't realize that blue-collar work was a viable career choice when she was growing up.

Credit: Getty Images/serts

Dating a carpenter taught me my career is not my identity. He doesn't worry about getting laid off and just focuses on the next job.

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Nia Springer-Norris and her partner, Tom, standing in front of bookshelves. She is wearing a yellow printed dress and he is in a red t-shirt and jeans.
Nia Springer-Norris and her partner work in different industries and learn from each other.

Courtesy Nia Springer-Norris

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

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Diana Welsch working on a Tesla car
Diana Welsch worked as a mobile technician for Tesla in Los Angeles, which she called a 'dream job.'

Courtesy of Diana Welsch

My parents struggled in blue-collar jobs. Paying off their mortgage and retiring them is my proudest achievement.

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Simmy Dhillon with his parents and brother.
Dhillon (far right) started his own business as a college student.

Courtesy of Simmy Dhillon

She's a 27-year-old electrician — and she makes $200,000 a year off social media posts about her job

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Lexis Czumak-Abreu is an electrician and social media influencer.
Lexis Czumak-Abreu is an electrician and social media influencer.

Lexis Czumak-Abreu

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