When I first got into sex work, I had other options, but I didn’t like them. My first job in the sex industry was working for a phone sex company. At the time I was also enrolled in community college and working the breakfast shift in the kitchen of a retirement home.

Between my minimum wage job, financial aid, and what my family could contribute, I was still having trouble making ends meet. There were other things I could have done, like taking another service industry job, taking out more loans, or adding roommates.

I chose sex work because it appealed to me, and seemed like a better option overall. I later went to on to work for a webcam website, and eventually in strip clubs.

As both a creative and an open person, sex work seemed to play to my strengths. The schedule was flexible, and fit in well with being in college. The industry also had an element of “taboo” that I, a young, curious woman, found attractive.

While my career in the industry definitely has its ups and downs, sex work has been a net positive in my life. In addition to helping me pay my bills, sex work has helped me to become a more confident person with stronger boundaries.

I love my body more since I became a sex worker. I also put more effort into caring for it. I’ve become more confident speaking to people who intimidate me. I’m better at picking my battles when I’m irritated by something someone said. I’m more comfortable saying “no” to people than I ever have been before.

I also feel like I’ve made a positive impact on other people’s lives doing this job. I’ve helped create fun memories for people on their birthdays or before their weddings. I’ve comforted divorcees and widowers who just wanted someone friendly to talk to. I’ve had people thank me for helping them to feel less ashamed of their sexuality, or for being a support system for them when they didn’t have another one to rely on.

While I have other long term career goals, I have no plans to end my career in the sex industry at this moment. I’ll keep doing it for as long as I feel it’s contributing positively to my quality of life and the lives of others.