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May, 2025

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The reality of working in trades ? advice?

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supremeblientele
Posts: 991 - Karma: 5,736
So im about to graduate college, and im starting to realize just how worthless my degree is in terms of making any money. As of now im not really planning on using it.

im trying to figure out work for this summer / next winter, and im not keen on ski patrolling, or guiding again, due to the very low pay, and having to always constantly be moving around to maintain work, as well as the scheduling of guiding jobs (7 days on, 4 days off sucks) also not a fan of a majority of the people in the guiding world... im kinda wanting to start settling down and looking at buying a home in the next 5/6 years, if i continue guiding/patrolling, that is completely out of the picture.

ive got a good opportunity rn to start working as an apprentice in a pretty high end wood working shop thru some good connections. ive done physical labor jobs my whole life, and have a little bit of experience in wood working as well, so im not completely oblivious as to what that kind of work looks like. but i was hoping someone whos been in the trades for a while can give their honest opinion about doing it as a longterm career path. give me the pros and cons as best as u can

starting pay would be 20$ an hour (which is already higher than any entry level position i could get w/ my degree), there is periodical raises, as well as ability to advance into journey men/ master woodworker positions thru training/time. the boss is also a big snowboarder which is a bonus. scheduling is also really chill, so i could skip early mornings to ski and work til late afternoon

im not particularly passionate about wood working, but guiding/patrolling (which in my eyes was a "passion") has become just as tedious as any other job. and at 22 years, im kinda looking into getting into a career, which i can develop into something that pays well longterm, so i can buy a house/ begin to become an adult etc etc....

anybody who's been doing this longterm wanna give me some advice / reality checks?

will i still be able to ski 60+ days a year ? is everyone in trades really as depressed as i hear ?

all advice is appreciated, thanks
2 years ago
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Jacobthesadskier
Posts: 505 - Karma: 5,019
I know this doesn't help you, but, you're asking NS on how to basically become a mature, sensible adult with a career? You've come to the wrong place mate.
2 years ago
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supremeblientele
Posts: 991 - Karma: 5,736
JacobthesadskierI know this doesn't help you, but, you're asking NS on how to basically become a mature, sensible adult with a career? You've come to the wrong place mate.


not really at all tbh, did u read my post

im asking those who have worked in the trades for a solid period of time, how they feel about their experience, and if they have any advice for someone just about to start
2 years ago
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eheath
Posts: 61955 - Karma: 126,723
JacobthesadskierI know this doesn't help you, but, you're asking NS on how to basically become a mature, sensible adult with a career? You've come to the wrong place mate.


bruh like 70% of the people on NS are college graduates and/or 21 or older, its honestly the perfect place to ask.

**This post was edited on Mar 2nd 2023 at 2:38:06pm
2 years ago
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r00kie
Posts: 5238 - Karma: 59,602
Be warned, there is a direct correlation between working in trades and liking Arby's. But seriously, trades are only going to become more valuayas time goes on so you got some security there and a path to development it sounds like. That's more than I got so good on you.
2 years ago
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profa_212
Posts: 9218 - Karma: 40,532
r00kieBe warned, there is a direct correlation between working in trades and liking Arby's. But seriously, trades are only going to become more valuayas time goes on so you got some security there and a path to development it sounds like. That's more than I got so good on you.


Yes. Lots of tradies are hitting or about to hit retirement age. Good time to be getting in and getting a few years under your belt.
2 years ago
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muffMan.
Posts: 2902 - Karma: 27,736
Only con I can think of is wear on your body, but wood working sounds chill enough.

Trades are super important, and you learn a lot more in real life scenarios. Tons of money saved and experience gained from working on my truck.

If web development doesn’t work out for me I’m going into welding.

Ain’t no shame in it either, my uncle is an electrician and now makes easily 150k a year. Of course he had to grow
2 years ago
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supremeblientele
Posts: 991 - Karma: 5,736
r00kieBe warned, there is a direct correlation between working in trades and liking Arby's. But seriously, trades are only going to become more valuayas time goes on so you got some security there and a path to development it sounds like. That's more than I got so good on you.


hahahah luckily the nearest arbys/fast food is over an hour away lol. small mountain town

i do however plan to become fully addicted to energy drinks
2 years ago
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Dani-B
Posts: 253 - Karma: 2,254
eheathbruh like 70% of the people on NS are college graduates and/or 21 or older, its honestly the perfect place to ask.

**This post was edited on Mar 2nd 2023 at 2:38:06pm


Wow is it really that high you think? Part of the uniqueness of participating on this website, at least for me, is not quite knowing if I'm talking to a 30 year old man or a 13 year old boy at any given moment

And sorry, no trades help from me. But can vouch that it is possible to get good non-ski life advice here at times.
2 years ago
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7967 - Karma: 23,260
It sounds like you should give the woodworking job a shot, if you don't like it, there's no doubt something else will come up for you. Working with wood is generally less hazardous than welding and more interesting than something like HVAC.
I know lots of people with degrees who work in trades and enjoy it. The biggest complaint most of them have is working with meat heads, but that's more on large scale industrial job sites anyway. The biggest thing is to stay active outside work and rest appropriately because you can mess up your joints really fast even just from standing on hard floors for days on end.
2 years ago
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Young_patty
Posts: 3343 - Karma: 39,292
muffMan.Only con I can think of is wear on your body, but wood working sounds chill enough.

Trades are super important, and you learn a lot more in real life scenarios. Tons of money saved and experience gained from working on my truck.

If web development doesn’t work out for me I’m going into welding.

Ain’t no shame in it either, my uncle is an electrician and now makes easily 150k a year. Of course he had to grow


Bruh it’s crazy how much electricians can make, my mom works in a huge office building downtown and their master electrician makes about $2 mil a year straight up.



and honestly OP I considered going into trades but I just don’t think I have the personality for it tbh, like I hangout w my buddy and his friends that work at a mechanic/auto body shop and I am just don’t think I’d be a good fit.
2 years ago
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iFlip
Posts: 4544 - Karma: 19,146
Nothing wrong with the trades and it is not at all uncommon for those working in the trades to be earning significantly more than degree-oriented jobs. As has been mentioned, electricians, welders, plumbers, construction workers...they can all earn into the six figures.

A big thing you'll need to wrap your head around is the "culture" in the trades. Your average blue-collar worker has a wife, a few kids, and a mortgage. That's it. Nothing else. No hobbies. No interests. Puts his money into his family (rightly so), his property, and his truck. He follows football, baseball, and/or hockey, and this is what he talks about. You, having interests such as skiing, MTB, etc., will be a bit different. You'll need to learn that talking about vacations, interests, places you've been or are going, and family members doing seemingly wealthy-person stuff are things to not mention. Taking vacations is not encouraged. Taking off a month or two to travel would be significantly looked down upon.

Give the woodworking thing a go. If it's not for you, go to grad school in a subject that is employable. Graduate schools will not look down upon taking a year or more off after undergrad.
2 years ago
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drifts
Posts: 621 - Karma: 4,508
best advice I can give is exercise, eat healthy, take care of your mental health, save $ and invest in retirement early.

in any job field you'll find people who are depressed and people who love the it, it's not the job it's you.

also you should learn to market your skills and degree better. don't be afraid to apply to jobs that you aren't qualified for, lots of places put stupid ass qualifications on their job ad and then settle for way less
2 years ago
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Goretex_Vidal
Posts: 951 - Karma: 13,604
Trades will destroy your body long term but if you’re in a good union you’ll have great healthcare (though you’ll likely have to retire a few years too early to get on Medicaid).

Opiod abuse is pretty serious in the building trades too just because of how many people on a job site who’ve had severe injuries there are at a given time. So that’s a trap to avoid because you will be making good money for the first time and it is easy to get sucked into spending all that new wealth on pills. Most of my trades homies just got super focused on one hobby they could waste their money on that wasn’t drugs; you’ll be able to afford a pass without blackout dates and new gear though!

A huge positive is that you can easily fix up any shithole you buy with excess stock from worksites and friends in other trades. It’s a pretty good way to start making passive income through renting and that’ll help you get out of the trades before your body breaks down and stay an income source after you retire because my dad’s pension checks for $147.73 a month were a joke.
2 years ago
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Goretex_Vidal
Posts: 951 - Karma: 13,604
driftsbest advice I can give is exercise, eat healthy, take care of your mental health, save $ and invest in retirement early.

in any job field you'll find people who are depressed and people who love the it, it's not the job it's you.

also you should learn to market your skills and degree better. don't be afraid to apply to jobs that you aren't qualified for, lots of places put stupid ass qualifications on their job ad and then settle for way less

You can also just lie on your resume and use a friend as the reference if you know you can handle a job but there’s some foolish 3 years experience requirement.
2 years ago
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Icant_kfed
Posts: 1279 - Karma: 11,596
As the young or new guy everything that goes wrong will be your fault, there will be plenty of shit days, but overall it’s worth it, plus you don’t have to worry about hitting a midlife crisis at 30 and being 50lbs overweight because you sit at a desk all day
2 years ago
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profa_212
Posts: 9218 - Karma: 40,532
Icant_kfedAs the young or new guy everything that goes wrong will be your fault, there will be plenty of shit days, but overall it’s worth it, plus you don’t have to worry about hitting a midlife crisis at 30 and being 50lbs overweight because you sit at a desk all day


Idk most tradies I know are big boys. All them after work/during work bud heavies
2 years ago
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eheath
Posts: 61955 - Karma: 126,723
Profahoben_212Idk most tradies I know are big boys. All them after work/during work bud heavies


and not everyone who sits at a desk is overweight, that dude is like 17 lol
2 years ago
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eheath
Posts: 61955 - Karma: 126,723
Dani-BWow is it really that high you think?

I dont think, I know. Last NS media kit i saw said like 15-20% of users were under 18 and that a majority users were 22 or older or something like that. NS has young members and it can be dominated by the trolls in the forums, but most people who visit this site are millennials that grew up in the golden age of skiing.
2 years ago
5 1
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Icant_kfed
Posts: 1279 - Karma: 11,596
eheathand not everyone who sits at a desk is overweight, that dude is like 17 lol


18*, working construction related fields for 4 years
2 years ago
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eheath
Posts: 61955 - Karma: 126,723
Icant_kfed18*, working construction related fields for 4 years


i mean my comment is still the same, I was 18 before too. Doing a trade job does not mean you're just going to be in shape your entire life, same goes for a desk job, as you get older it doesnt really matter, you still have to eat healthy and be active.
2 years ago
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Icant_kfed
Posts: 1279 - Karma: 11,596
That was a pretty stupid and typical “teenage blue collar worker” type comment, but the reality of it is no tradesman is living a sedentary life
2 years ago
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Dani-B
Posts: 253 - Karma: 2,254
eheathmost people who visit this site are millennials that grew up in the golden age of skiing.


Thanks for the insight. Sorry to go off topic again, but for my own interest what skiing golden age are you referring to? Park/freestyle specifically? Only asking because my previous understanding was that the golden age for skiing in general predated us millennials.
2 years ago
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eheath
Posts: 61955 - Karma: 126,723
Dani-BThanks for the insight. Sorry to go off topic again, but for my own interest what skiing golden age are you referring to? Park/freestyle specifically? Only asking because my previous understanding was that the golden age for skiing in general predated us millennials.


2004-2012 I would say was the golden age of "newschool" skiing
2 years ago
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profa_212
Posts: 9218 - Karma: 40,532
eheathand not everyone who sits at a desk is overweight, that dude is like 17 lol


Yeah, many white collar jobs have more time, money, and energy for hobbies, gym, eating healthy, etc.


it also depends on the trade you are in. Residential plumbing doesn't take much energy. Supervisor on a drill rig doesn't take much energy. Hauling concrete and rebar all day takes a ton of energy. A lot of the fat tradies are fat because they are promoted to supervisor and continue to eat and drink like they did when they were hauling weight all day. Recipe for disaster. Or they are in a less physically demanding trade.
2 years ago
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Dani-B
Posts: 253 - Karma: 2,254
Profahoben_212A lot of the fat tradies are fat because they are promoted to supervisor and continue to eat and drink like they did when they were hauling weight all day. Recipe for disaster. Or they are in a less physically demanding trade.


They feed you really good at some mine camps too. I got to experience it for a week on an ecology job, and could see how the fatigue of two weeks of 12 hour days combined with sitting in a haul truck all day and a social smoking culture could make someone a big boy/girl pretty fast if they weren't careful.
2 years ago
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Biffbarf
Posts: 7448 - Karma: 79,895
One thing to keep in mind is the path to being genuinely successful is often entrepreneurship. You can make a great career as a tradesman but a vast majority of the labor spots are filled with low skill labor that is abundant and inexpensive. What was your degree in?
2 years ago
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GrapeHunter
Posts: 2406 - Karma: 8,779
lol what's ur degree
2 years ago
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PeppermillReno
Posts: 4884 - Karma: -719
Most trades are way easier than electrician to get experience and work your way to the top you can get where you need to be in 6 months vs 6 years.
2 years ago
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iH8pow
Posts: 1891 - Karma: 8,512
Absolutely do it. But only if you’re passionate about specifically woodworking, but its a great age to start and if you dont love it you can move on.

the end goal of the trade is perfecting it and starting your own business. I have way too many friends who are broke from their useless degree, and know so many degree-less people who run their own business and make way more than a degree holder. So if you do well and start getting ideas how you’d do business, do it
eheathbruh like 70% of the people on NS are college graduates and/or 21 or older, its honestly the perfect place to ask.

**This post was edited on Mar 2nd 2023 at 2:38:06pm


I was thinking more along the lines—the ones here in their late 20s and 30s are independent yet can still afford skiing, even afford bringing their family into skiing. It’s a much tougher feat than people realize so the people on an affluent skiing site probably arent the worse group to ask.
2 years ago
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Poikenz
Posts: 1538 - Karma: 4,370
Money is not the best reason to move into a different field of work. I work in the trades (specifically woodworking), you will meet a good amount of unhappy people with serious substance abuse problems. You might also meet a lot of conspiracy theory nuts and overly vocal right wingers (moreso if the place is anti union) but that can vary depending on the shop or the town/ city you work in.
For me, I enjoy it because I can see a project start to finish and something about finishing a job that looks good is very self rewarding for me. Depending on the specifics of the position it might be very repetitive which is why it's better for you if you like it. Eg: can you spend 4 hours sanding something? Multiple time a week? If you don't even semi enjoy it or at least enjoy zoning out for that amount of time you might have some extremely depressing thoughts.

It can be hard on your body but if you take care of yourself and don't do stupid shit you'll be fine.

I'd say you sound excited for the opportunity, so go for it. If it doesn't work out there are plenty of other options out there to try next.
2 years ago
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Casey
Posts: 8018 - Karma: 26,936
I typed out a long ass thing but basically if it’s the wrong path for you, you’ll know before too long. In the meantime you’ll make the most money of all your prospects and you might learn some useful skills while you’re at it.
2 years ago
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TOAST.
Posts: 7762 - Karma: 39,840
if you have a lot if risky hobbies the biggest downside I see is that if you get hurt you will not be able to work. This goes for a lot of jobs, not just trades. Office or at least partial office work can be done with broken limbs. However, I wouldn't let this solely push you to an office job. if you have some passion for carpentry I'd say go for it.
2 years ago
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HypeBeast
Posts: 10082 - Karma: 76,467
What's your degree op? Curious to see what you wasted 4 years of your life on
2 years ago
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Non_State_Actor
Posts: 5098 - Karma: 18,669
My only advice...HVAC.
2 years ago
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Skibumsmith
Posts: 5469 - Karma: 12,386
eheathbruh like 70% of the people on NS are college graduates and/or 21 or older, its honestly the perfect place to ask.

**This post was edited on Mar 2nd 2023 at 2:38:06pm


Lol truth. The stereotype of us being 15 yr old shitheads was true in '08. But now we're 30 and have jobs. The new batch of shitheads are too addicted to instagram and tiktok. Posting on forums is for old people the same way that debating vaccine mandates on facebook is something only your aunt martha does.
2 years ago
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270on420out
Posts: 7524 - Karma: 51,325
Stay off your fucking phone. Thats the fastest way to piss off your boss as a young apprentice. Work efficiently, pay attention, and learn as much as you can. Youre going to have to deal with some assholes at some point, but the great part about working in the trades is that 9 times out of 10 you can tell them to go fuck themselves.
2 years ago
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Calculator
Posts: 125 - Karma: 795
If you can find an actual good company to work for I’d say go for it. I’m kind of in the same situation where I’m not sure if I want to work in my degree field and have done some carpentry work and really enjoyed it. The thing you gotta look out for is the places full of crusty guys who make blue collar work their entire identity. Like someone said beifre they’re the ones who are gonna give you shit for wanting to get out and actually enjoy life outside of work. If you can get in somewhere with some other young people who do nice work it can be pretty rewarding. From what I’ve seen woodworking is a pretty good place to find that. My degree is gonna be in precision manufacturing but there’s something about the less strict avenues of making things (for example woodwork) that is a lot more relaxed and allows more room for adding your own touches.
2 years ago
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snowmosexual
Posts: 1941 - Karma: 10,085
Do yoga. Take care of your body. Don’t get addicted to nicotine
2 years ago
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SteezyKegs
Posts: 106 - Karma: -1,192
snowmosexualDo yoga. Take care of your body. Don’t get addicted to nicotine


Trade and doing some form of nicotine are directly related. Can’t be in a trade w/o being a nic fiend
2 years ago
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tri_photo
Posts: 1530 - Karma: 7,195
I’m a Local 66 Sheetmetal Worker. If you don’t know what we do in the sheetmetal trade, here is a brief (but not complete) overview:


HVAC

-Fabrication of ductwork
-Install of ductwork and other equipment
-Detailing, designing


Architectural Sheetmetal

-Exterior paneling
-Sheetmetal roofing
-Siding, copings


Welding (Nonstructural)

-Grease duct welding
-Specialty projects
-Etc…



Working in the trades is hard work, but overall, it is rewarding. Be prepared for work being slow for brief periods of time, but we’re not talking months on end of not working (as long as you apply yourself). No, we’re not all depressed and angry. We just want to make our living and then go home.

I’ll be a journeyman this year. 5 year apprenticeship. Wage rates vary by state and Union(s), but I highly encourage you to look in to any of the MEP trades (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing/Pipefitting). Get in to a Union apprenticeship. Typically the best wages, or close to it, and good healthcare.

**This post was edited on Mar 12th 2023 at 6:46:14pm
2 years ago
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littleman34
Posts: 1405 - Karma: 4,256
As far as trades go woodworking is probably the easiest on your body and the most interesting. Nice woods are just better than pipes or shingles you know. I'd go for it man! Seems like a great opportunity.

An old man once told me don't make your hobby your career. I think it's wise to keep your hobbies as hobbies, that way they always stay exciting and feel like free time fun.

Hope you find the lifestyle you're looking for man!
supremeblienteleSo im about to graduate college, and im starting to realize just how worthless my degree is in terms of making any money. As of now im not really planning on using it.

im trying to figure out work for this summer / next winter, and im not keen on ski patrolling, or guiding again, due to the very low pay, and having to always constantly be moving around to maintain work, as well as the scheduling of guiding jobs (7 days on, 4 days off sucks) also not a fan of a majority of the people in the guiding world... im kinda wanting to start settling down and looking at buying a home in the next 5/6 years, if i continue guiding/patrolling, that is completely out of the picture.

ive got a good opportunity rn to start working as an apprentice in a pretty high end wood working shop thru some good connections. ive done physical labor jobs my whole life, and have a little bit of experience in wood working as well, so im not completely oblivious as to what that kind of work looks like. but i was hoping someone whos been in the trades for a while can give their honest opinion about doing it as a longterm career path. give me the pros and cons as best as u can

starting pay would be 20$ an hour (which is already higher than any entry level position i could get w/ my degree), there is periodical raises, as well as ability to advance into journey men/ master woodworker positions thru training/time. the boss is also a big snowboarder which is a bonus. scheduling is also really chill, so i could skip early mornings to ski and work til late afternoon

im not particularly passionate about wood working, but guiding/patrolling (which in my eyes was a "passion") has become just as tedious as any other job. and at 22 years, im kinda looking into getting into a career, which i can develop into something that pays well longterm, so i can buy a house/ begin to become an adult etc etc....

anybody who's been doing this longterm wanna give me some advice / reality checks?

will i still be able to ski 60+ days a year ? is everyone in trades really as depressed as i hear ?

all advice is appreciated, thanks
2 years ago
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tri_photo
Posts: 1530 - Karma: 7,195
Non_State_ActorMy only advice...HVAC.


Amen
2 years ago
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