34-year-old electrician makes $43,000 a year after leaving design school: I have ‘many ways to move up’ and earn more money

From Fashion Dreams to Electrical Work: One Woman's Unexpected Career Journey

Career paths aren't always straight lines—and that's perfectly okay.

At 34, Zen Stewart is thriving as a level-four construction wireman in Raleigh, North Carolina. It's a career she never saw coming.

The Winding Road

"I always liked fashion, design, architecture," Zen reflects. "I never for once thought I'd be in the trades."

After high school, she explored interior design, graphic design, and business. Nothing clicked. She knew something else was out there for her—she just hadn't found it yet.

The years that followed brought more exploration: deejaying gigs, retail positions, jewelry sales, and telehealth work. Then came the layoff that changed everything. The telehealth company she worked for had implemented new software, eliminating the need for workers like her who scheduled routes for healthcare professionals.

A Lightbulb Moment

"The idea of becoming an electrician didn't even hit my mind until I started getting laid off from jobs that I thought were good jobs," Zen admits.

She started researching careers that wouldn't be easily automated. Electrical work stood out for several compelling reasons:

Multiple advancement pathways with strong earning potential
Hands-on work that still allows for creativity
Physical demands that felt manageable compared to other trades

"I figured I'd be able to handle that," she says, acknowledging the practical considerations she faced as a woman entering a male-dominated field.

Breaking the News

When Zen announced her plans to become an electrician, reactions were mixed.

"It was a shock," she remembers. Friends and family had grown accustomed to her shifting interests—interior design, architecture, and DJing. This felt different. "They were kind of like, 'Oh, you know, well, here's the new thing.'"

But her mother saw her determination and made a crucial connection. Electricians were working at her mother's jewelry store, and she introduced them to Zen.

"I literally went into their office that same day, filled out my application. That next week, I was working."

The Reality of the Work

These days, Zen's alarm goes off at 4:30 or 5:00 a.m. for eight to ten-hour days, Monday through Friday, with occasional overtime on weekends or nights.

"It was a huge culture shock because I wasn't used to being up at the crack of dawn," she admits. "But after I got into the rhythm of things, I really enjoyed it."

In 2025, she earned roughly $43,000 from electrical work, supplemented by income from her social media presence. She joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in August 2025, paying about $57 monthly in union dues for benefits like health insurance, tuition assistance, and easier job placement.

Navigating Challenges

The biggest challenge? "Trying to navigate this male-dominated field as a woman."

While Zen feels safe and supported by her coworkers, she often feels the need to prove herself more than her male counterparts might. "A lot of the time, because I'm a woman, I feel like I have to prove myself more," she explains. Even when coworkers mean well, she sometimes has to remind them: "It's okay, I've got it. Like, I can do it myself."

Looking Ahead

Zen is currently preparing for her union apprentice exam—the next step toward her journeyman's license. This credential would allow her to work independently across residential, industrial, and commercial settings, and crucially, to travel and work in different states where pay can be even more lucrative.

Right now, she does commercial electrical work, but industrial work is on her radar for its higher pay. Long-term? She's considering a transition to a desk role in project management.

"I do think about the physical toll of this work," she says candidly. "I know after a certain age, I'm not going to want to be out in the field."

The AI Question

Zen doesn't believe AI will replace skilled trades workers anytime soon—if ever. Still, she sees technology creeping in, like bots that can map door placements or wall locations. "I definitely believe that AI is going to hold a place in construction," she acknowledges, while remaining confident in the irreplaceable value of human skill and judgment.

Sharing Her Story

On social media, Zen documents her daily experiences as an electrician, hoping to inspire others who might be considering the trades.

"I figured if I could shine my light through my perspective of how it is in my day-to-day, that that could get other people interested in the trade," she explains.

Her advice to those on the fence? "Don't let lack of experience stop you."

What She Loves Most

"Every day is different," Zen says with genuine enthusiasm. She gets to witness projects from start to finish—from a bare plot of dirt to a completed building. "Then, being able to flick on the lights and seeing everything come to life, I think that is so satisfying."

Her dream? Building a house from scratch.

"I still have that creative spirit," she says. "That still is very alive and well in my life."

The Bottom Line: Zen's journey proves that it's never too late to pivot, and that the "perfect" career might look nothing like what you imagined. Sometimes the best opportunities come from the most unexpected places—you just have to be willing to pick up the tools and try.