While many high school students have an idea of what they want their career path to be upon graduation, this pandemic could be shifting their thoughts of where they best fit into today’s world. Prior to COVID-19 changing life as we knew it, it’s likely there wasn’t much thought given to what we all now recognize as “the essential workforce”. The year 2020 has given our youth first-hand exposure to life-changing stories of unexpected job loss, highlighting the importance of having a career that can continue to maintain employment—and a paycheck—during uncertain times like these. While many industries are still trying to figure out how to rebuild and rebound, there is a growing demand for technical skilled labor across the Midwest. The diesel industry, specifically, is expected to be among the largest in terms of career opportunity for today’s youth. The impact of the diesel industry is evident in our everyday lives, now more than ever. From supporting agriculture and our nation’s food supply, to on-highway trucking and our country’s transportation infrastructure, to the emergency electrical power generation needs of hospital, clinics, government buildings and other essential businesses, a career as a diesel technician is a critical role in today’s world. The stigma of a career as a diesel technician assumes that the work environment is dirty and greasy, and lacks structure, growth and good pay. But that facts are quite the opposite. Diesel technicians are equipped with tools to make their jobs less labor-intensive. They are paid premium wages. Safety is a topmost priority. And continued career development through training and on-going education is foundational to keeping technicians mechanically inclined and technologically savvy. As a mentor for today’s youth, encourage these future graduates to consider the life-long rewards that come with a career path as a diesel technician, or elsewhere in the skilled trades, putting their passion and talents toward something with peace of mind and a consistent paycheck—even during a pandemic.