So, the year was 2021, and I just got my green card. I didn’t know what job to apply for. I had worked as a teaching assistant before, but the pay wasn’t enough. Then I saw that most of the well-paying jobs around me were in factories. Factories? Me? I barely knew anything about building or tools. I even remembered when I helped my uncle and grandfather build a shed and they asked if the wood was “flush.” I said, “Flush? The only flush I know is flushing the toilet!” Yeah, I was that clueless.

My car wasn’t reliable, and the factory was a 30-minute walk away, so I decided to take the plunge anyway. At first, it was obvious I had no idea what I was doing. When someone asked me to hand over a Phillips screwdriver, I was like, “Wait… what’s that?” My boss taught me lots of parts and words I’d never heard before, but the good thing about factory work is you don’t really need to know all the names — just how to put things together. After a lot of watching, asking questions, and making mistakes, I finally got the hang of it. Maybe “pro” takes a few months, but if you’re scared or feel like an idiot like I did, don’t worry — you’ll get it in time! 

And hey, if you feel nervous or clueless, just remember—if I can figure it out without knowing what a Phillips screwdriver is, you’re already halfway there!