Let’s not sugarcoat it. Your first year, you will be poor. You’ll eat a lot of beans. You’ll drive a car held together by hope and duct tape. You’ll have to tell your friends, “Sorry, I can’t go to the concert—I’m saving for a torque wrench.” They will not understand.
But here’s the punchline: it’s the best broke you’ll ever be. Because every dollar you earn is an investment in a skill that cannot be automated or outsourced to ChatGPT. Robots can’t fix your toilet (yet). AI can’t wire a house (yet). You are becoming a human Swiss Army knife.
So, how much is an apprenticeship wage? It’s a temporary inconvenience for a lifelong income. It’s the price of a ticket to a career where you boss around the guy with the MBA. And honestly, that’s worth more than a few years of instant noodles.
Now go apply. And buy a good pair of boots. Your feet will thank you, even if your wallet won’t for a while.
