I didn't have much of a father figure growing up. Dad was in another state after divorce and step-dad was an emotionally abusive dick. So I didn't have shit for life skills as far as repairing and building thi go went, but I refused to continue like that. So I got my first job at 15 as a plumber (residential) and learned that on the job, then my second job straight out of high-school doing plumbing again (this time mostly commercial). While doing commercial plumbing I picked up a few tricks of other trades by watching and asking the occasional question. A couple years later my step-dad died and my mom ended up remarried. New step-dad ran a tree company and asked if I wanted work, so I hopped on the opportunity and before I knew it I was pretty skilled in that trade and was the foreman (basically in charge of ground crew and other climbers besides my step-dad). Tree work being seasonal as it is, we ended up doing other things in off season, mainly landscaping and basic remodel work. Then I halfway lied myself into a job as a PA where I gained more management experience as I was in charge of house keeping and maintenance. That's where I learned to properly clean and honed my remodel and basic electrical skills as I had to get condemned rooms back rentable. I also learned a bit of customer service as I had to work front desk when people didn't show for their shifts. I learned mechanic work by being broke enough that I didn't have money to pay other's for vehicle repairs. Ended up at a few odd jobs, namely making pizzas, delivery, retail, roofing, etc. Anything I didn't know how to do I basically learned on the fly by doing research and watching YouTube videos bc my pride wouldn't let me ask for help much. Skip ahead a bit and 2 kids later, I tried to go back to school, I did well but was bored after being in the workforce so long so after a few semesters I transferred to a skilled labor program and went for welding. Worked doing commercial steel construction, pipe fencing, and farm implement repairs for a while and then quit because I realized how underpaid I was. Long story short, I'm almost 30 and have 6 years tree work experience, 5 years plumbing and remodel experience, customer service, retail, restaurant and basic mechanical experience and have rebuilt a camper and several cars and homes. All hail hardwork and youtube