Wood shop 1st hour, my mother still has the cherry coffee table I made her. I’m 70+. Learning about the trades is a very valuable knowledge set. Even if you never work any as your primary job. I feel sorry for the younger set. Ignorance is not bliss.
My husband was never more excited to buy me a Christmas gift than when I told him I wanted a table saw for woodworking.
He also got me wood files, a sander, a chisel, and wood screws. My first few creations were rudimentary, but my bookcase turned out beautifully. At that point, I had a solid understanding of measuring, fitting pieces together to hide tap nails and wood screws, and the multiple steps necessary to get a high sheen on the stain.
When we moved, it was too big for the new house. I put it out and within the hour, a pickup truck came by, the man asked if I was getting rid of it, I told him I was, and his wife jumped with delight. They were back in 10 minutes with a blanket in the bed and straps to hold it down.
Made me happy to make them happy.
One of my boys is an aerospace engineer.
He worked two summers for a friend of mine who is a remodeling contractor gaining real hands on skills.
Other son is a trucker.
The front air dam on my daughters car came loose on the highway last week. She fixed it with a paper clip she found on the ground. The fix lasted long enough to get to the store and buy some cable ties.