Published in the San Diego Union-Tribune, November 24, 2025
by Neil Senturia
I recently went to a fancy dinner party blah blah with some elites, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, technology, Wall Street, etc. One thing leads to another, and we end up on the subject of grandchildren and what should they study at the Ivy colleges they are going to.
One wag at the end of the table says that computer science is no longer the ticket to riches, too much vibe coding and artificial intelligence, then another says that management consulting is over, the AI grunts will do the basic MBA work.
Teachers are intellectually valued and needed, but they are paid like baristas. No hope there. The only possible career (channeling George Costanza) is marine biologist. Finally, a woman stands up and explains reality — she says that what she needs and the world needs is more plumbers. Average annual salary is over $80,000.
Nota bene: They teach plumbing skills in prison.
As many of you know, a few friends and I brought Defy Ventures, an entrepreneurship program, to the Donovan state prison in 2016. It has flourished, and below I will share (with his permission) a story from one of my “favorite felons.”
Hello Neil, my name is Steven Webb. I was part of the first cohort of Defy Ventures at Donovan State prison in 2017.
I am just reaching out to thank you for your good heart to bring hope to a lot of those who have lost hope. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Just to bring you up to date a little bit I was released in 2018. I procured a job within three weeks of my release as a plumbing apprentice.
Since then, I graduated to a full-fledged plumber in service and repair. I worked for one company for five years. Then I moved onto another company increasing my knowledge and skills in the plumbing trade. I finally quit working for that company in June 2024.
When I quit, I left the apartment I was living in Lemon Grove and moved to Mexico for a few months to study for my C36 plumbing license.
In July 2024, I started a business in transitional housing for recovering drug addicts. This business grew and in October of that same year we were able to procure a house, which brought me and my wife back to San Diego from Mexico.
To get started, we lived in an RV in the back of the transitional house as a business crew, and I continued to study for my C36 plumbing license. I am happy to say at the end of November 2024 I took the business law and trade test and passed, thereby securing my C36 plumbing license.
As I started to get more involved in growing my plumbing business, I stepped away from the transitional housing and fully opened All Care Plumbing SD. My wife is my marketing specialist and has been getting me some social media and name recognition.
I feel grateful for everything that Defy has offered me and can now say after 10 months of opening my doors, my business has started to become very successful.
I’m living very comfortably and have plans of growing this business and creating a business structure that will see me backing away while the business takes a life of its own ,and I owe it all to Defy Ventures, and for you to help giving spirit and bringing this program in the prison.
Thank you for everything. I appreciate you.
Sincerely,
Steven Webb
All Care Plumbing San Diego
I do not have any advice for young people going to college. But I am certain of a few things, namely standing in someone else’s shoes for a while, spending a little time paying it forward, worrying less about where to vacation and more about how to improve the world we live in every day — those seem like worthy aspirations, whatever college you go to or even if you don’t go at all.
It is nice that Steven appreciates what the program did for him. But here is the truth. I have been to Donovan more than a few times. And I am the one who benefits more.
You know the deal — the giver always gets more than the recipient.
Have a nice Thanksgiving.
Rule No. 806: At some point everyone needs a plumber.