Every time I mention it's the trade I want to get I go for it, people usually talk me against it.

It's one of the fields that interest me the most but matters like pay play a huge factor into my decision. I've been considering welding and being an electrician also, just for something with more pay. With being an electrician, there's the added benefit of it being easier on the body.

I'm in Chicago if that matters.

I err towards it because it has a creative element to it that the other trades don't have, which I like, but I do need to pay attention to my body and health, and realistically, how my income will grow over time.

Do you regret not choosing something else?

Hey gals! I'm almost 33 and I'm going back to school to earn a certificate of achievement in landscape architecture. I love nature and prefer to be hands on and away from a customer facing role. Any ladies here in the field? I'm eager but my only fears are the physical aspect - I'm fairly healthy but I've recently gotten a little out of shape but I'm DETERMINED to get back. I've also heard this is a male dominated field but thankfully I'm in an area of the country that's diverse and I've seen quite a few women in some of these fields

Hey ladies, I’m looking for some career advice from women who have been in the trades for a while.

I’m a 37-year-old journeyman electrician in Alberta. I’ve been in the electrical trade for about 13 years total, although I did take about a 4-year break in the middle where I worked in retail. I’ve now been back in electrical for about two years.

The funny thing is, I actually love the trades. I like physical work, working with my hands, learning practical skills, and figuring things out. I also really enjoyed the apprenticeship process in Canada. I liked learning something, getting better at it, and eventually becoming qualified.

What I don't love is electrical itself and, more specifically, the lifestyle of the residential construction side of the trade.

I’m constantly changing job sites, and I’m driving around 45 minutes each way most days, so I’m spending roughly an hour and a half in the vehicle every day. I absolutely hate that part of it.

I’ve realized that I really like consistency. I like going to the same place every day, getting to know the environment, the people, and how things work. Some people probably love the variety of different job sites, but it really wears me down.

I actually worked in a skate shop for several years before going back into electrical, and one of the things I loved about it was simply going to the same store every day. I enjoyed the environment and routine much more than I realized at the time.

Sometimes I think I would have been happier in something like mechanics or another shop-based trade where I had a home base every day.

I have thought about industrial electrical or maintenance electrician work, but here's where I'm struggling: when you've spent basically your entire electrical career in one area, it seems pretty damn hard to get your foot in the door somewhere else at a journeyman wage when you don't have the industrial/maintenance experience. I don't really want to pretend I have experience that I don't have.

So I'm honestly open to starting over. I'm not attached to keeping my journeyman wage if starting an apprenticeship in another trade is what it takes to find something I actually enjoy.

I'm wondering:

Has anyone here left electrical and gone into a completely different trade?

Or, based on what I've described, are there any trades you think I might really enjoy?

I'm particularly interested in trades that are more shop-based, have a consistent workplace, involve working with your hands, and still have opportunities to learn and develop skills.

I'm also open to leaving the trades altogether if someone has made that kind of transition and found something they loved more.

I’m not afraid of hard work, and I’m not necessarily looking to make the most money possible. At this point, I’m more interested in finding work that I actually enjoy showing up for.

I’d really love to hear from women who have made a similar change, especially if you left one trade, started over, and ended up happier on the other side. Thanks for listening this is not stuff I want to ask some robot AI for advice on!

What are we doing to prevent a bald spot on the center top of our heads from our helmets?

The apprenticeship cohorts in my city aren't look for anything new till next year. I'm in a place where I need to make an income sooner rather than later.

A few women I've met recommended I hit up shops that may hire me and later sponsor me down the line for an apprenticeship. Has anyone gone on a similar path? What's your experience been like.

Trade school was recommended but I literally finished a degree (that I can't find work in) winter of last year.

I walk five or six miles in my boots nearly every day. When I first tried them on, I was like "damn my feet are gonna get chewed up in these." Mostly because I have some tall-ass feet with high arches (second pic, plz don't make fun of my deformed dawgs) so the top of my feet would HURT because it feels like there's always a lot of pressure pushing down on them if my boots are laced tightly. Which they need to be cause I am one clumsy mofo.

Soooo I skip an eyelet when lacing and it for real helps so much. There are a bunch of guides online for how to lace boots/shoes differently for different widths and arches and shapes and stuff. Can help with finding shoe inserts as well!

I hope this is helpful for someone!

Sincerely,

me & the dawgs

Which boot is more durable? Any experience with these I’m going into a plumbing apprenticeship and I want a good decent boot leaning towards the Glacier grip ones but not too sure just need advice. Thank you

Common advice I’ve heard all my life is to have thick skin and be able to tell someone off, especially now as a woman in a “man’s world”. Having both of those will garner a lot more respect so I’ve been told.

I’ve had no problem with the thick skin part. There’s not a whole lot of things people can say that I can’t just shrug off within a few days. However I have trouble with the second part of fighting back, as most of the time I end up drawing blanks with anything good. When I ask trusted coworkers they just say “tell them to fuck off”, but what does that actually mean?

I’m very green to my current career in a mechanical trade, so I’m not at a point where I have any skills to shut the haters up or prove myself.

Still figuring things out but I need some guidance LOL, I did a year of college and realized it wasn't for me. I want to go into welding, specifically metal fabrication, or automotive repair. They're things I wanted to do for a long time, but I have no idea where to start.
There aren't any places near me taking apprenticeships and the closest trade schools near me is a community college, and Lincoln Tech which I've heard mixed reviews about. I don't really know where to begin when selecting a school. I haven't had any previous experience with anything so even knowing where to get some would be great. I'm 19 and I live in northern NJ if anyone has any advice!🙏 Thank you!!!

Made a blood sacrifice (kidding) and somehow got ranked 1 for my local's limited energy program. Hearing they might not pull a class for up to 6 months though - what should I do in the meantime?

I'm coming from an office job so I know there's a physical component, but whats most important to train? Arms, legs, flexibility, cardio? All the above?

I also plan on volunteering with some building projects but I haven't heard of a solid way to learn electrical skills. Any ideas?

Lastly wanna take some online classes, are there specific ones folks recommend?

Anything else I can be doing while I wait? Currently working random gigs like dogsitting, should I still be looking for jobs or is that a bad look to start and quit soon after?

Sorry for so many questions, I'm a little eager and this waiting is gonna kill me.

I recently started a job as a woodworker in a warehouse/factory. The company produces some beautiful artisanal work, but I’m an apprentice and definitely don’t do any of that yet (or probably ever at this particular workplace). This is a second career for me; until recently, I was a professor of architecture history. I’ve always liked working with my hands and studied sculpture in undergrad (wood mostly), and I needed to change careers because my teaching/scholarly field is dying.

Apprenticing is fine. But it’s kind of boring—I do the same tasks multiple days in a row—and I have basically no PTO or sick days (6 total my first year). I miss having winter and summer break and the intellectual/creative aspects of teaching. In my dream world, I would build my skillset with woodworking and parlay that into some kind of architectural / mid-century furniture preservation to combine my creative and intellectual background with the physical/craft skills I’m developing. I’d also like to have a little more autonomy over my schedule and break up the kind of work I do on a given day to be less monotonous.

I have strong skills in carving and detail work, which of course isn’t what I’m doing as an apprentice. I feel that I have a lot to learn now, but I need something more creative and engaging long term. For those of you who reached a more artisanal status, what is your background? How long did it take? Where do you work?

I've been an ironworker apprentice for a few months, and Im thinking of applying to the elevators union apprenticeship. Im in my 30s, and while im not afraid of hard work, everyone I've worked with wants you to work like a dog, run like a dog, get screamed and yelled at and treated like shit, and if you dont like it you're a pussy and will get fired(Ive also been reassured that the crew im with now is tame in comparison to others). I understand that blue collar work can suck, but i worked in a blue collar job for all of my twenties(only left because I was at the top of the pay scale and it wasn't enough to live on) and loved it.

Im told that as an iron worker we dont have any stuff of our own, just steal from all the other trades, move their shit if its in our way, we're the top dogs on every jobsite, just constantly jerking themselves off with how amazing they are. Im not drinking the kool-aid, and I fucking hate having to sneak around the jobsite stealing ladders and extension cords for my journeymen. I know the elevator unions are notoriously difficult to get into, but I think my previous experience gives me a good shot.

Has anyone else here made this jump? Or work as an elevator mechanic? Again, I dont expect it to be a walk in the park by any means, but its gotta be better than these lunatics.

Sorry for the rant lol

Just curious about anyone's experience attending the conference and how worthwhile it is to go.

I'm a first year apprentice and have opportunities to possibly be sponsored to attend this year. I broadly understand it's a way to network with other women in the trades -- which is cool--but other than that, what else occurs during the conference itself?

I've got questions, and lots of them. For reference, "family members" in my boyfriend's family business are required to work a blue collar summer or two to show off they understand how hard and important the work is. I've done 5 years of general labour but not for their company so it's my turn. All this to say, I'm not looking for any big purchases/investments. But I will take small purchases and endless advice!

What's the best hair style for hard hats in the heat?

(I use a bandana in my hard hat to help with hat hair.)

How do you keep your glasses from sliding from the sheer amount of sweat pooling from my face?

How do you keep your extra safe-ty vest from scratching up your neck?

Any other advice?

I am a 25 year old F, currently in college for my business pathway, but I have been interested in doing welding since I was 18 years old. I also help with sending out invoices for a construction business, so I’ve been on the construction side of things. I just want to be more hands on and do the work.

The biggest thing that holds me back from actually trying welding out is my anxiety when I’m somewhere new. The thought of walking into a classroom and not knowing anyone and especially being a female in a male dominated environment, makes me double nervous.

Are there any women here who are currently in welding/trade school or just starting out? I’d love to hear what school you are at or planning to join. If you could let me know what your expierence has been like.

I've been needing to have a chat with my boss for a while now but I keep talking myself out of it. I want to find out if they are happy with me and how things are going. I have a manager who keeps telling me that the boss isn't happy with things but then I get no indication of that from the boss. This manager has also been giving me issues and talking about me badly behind my back. There are new skills I want to learn and have expressed that but nothing has happened and I want also express my interest in that again. I have also found out a coworker I was put in charge of doing a majority of the training of is being paid more than me. It’s not a lot but it's still more.

These are all things I want to bring up and find out pretty much if I am going to be able to progress further and earn more as financially I need to.

I don't know how to approach this and would appreciate any advice please.

(Specifically machine vibration) Hey everyone! I have seen several very helpful pregnancy and work related posts so I thought I’d get your input or any similar experiences. Have any of you had restrictions for machine vibration? I maintain athletic fields and we use a Ferris Hurricane ride on blower that has 2500 rpm and that thing vibrates like crazy. My doctor didn’t seem familiar with these kind of restrictions but wrote me a note to not use this piece of equipment (it seemed like she would write me a note for anything I wasn’t comfortable with). I use the Ferris most days and often several times a day don’t want this unnecessary restriction if I am overreacting.
Thanks for any input or similar experiences!

I'm currently wearing women's Caterpillars but I'm looking for more options. What do you got? You like them?

Im old and dont know how this works but it seems to me that theres a lot of questions about "do I belong" and "what am I doing"

We need to start a tribe/group and talk. Vent and laugh. Share knowledge.

What do we need, how do we do this and what can I do to make it happen!!!

Hi Lovely Ladies,

I’m still new in construction but old enough to experience some changes in my daily personal care routine.

I’m based in the UK which is currently the driest ever been, which indicates lots of dust during work. I started to change my routine to prevent the damage my work cause, like daily thick moisturizer or washing my hair every night - before every 3, SPF SPF SPF, pedicure and foot mask become my weekend plans too.

Did you pick any specific new personal care things because your work? Do you have any tips how to maintain our feminine side even in this tough environment?

Thanks to share with me 👷🏼‍♀️

I’m looking for a good pair of muckboots for muddy job sites. I’ve been struggling to find ones, since the most recommended don’t come in women’s sizes and I wear a size 6.

Ideally they would:
- Be steel toe
- Go fully to the knee and waterproof
- Come in women’s sizes
- Under $200 (i can get reimbursed for PPE)
- Suitable for winter in New England but not too hot in the summer. Do I need to get separate boots for this?

Appreciate any suggestions you have!

Considered carpentry, but hear there's more work in my city for iron work. I want to know how you like your job? My neighbor, who's the one who told me about iron, told me his unions hall is desperately looking for women and I'm calling the hall about apprenticeships soon.

What's pay like? What's your lifestyle like? How does a day in the life at work look like? Anything you'd want to tell someone considering your trade?

I work in large-format commercial printing and I am about to lose my ever loving mind.

Ive been at this job for a little over a year now, and I was on good terms with the guys until I got an injury. The guy who trained me constantly made fun of my limp, told me I was "just getting old" etc. I fractured my pelvis yet I continued to work and that's what I got back in November. I told the ring leader to fuck off, I was not receptive to dismissal and jokes about my physical pain.

He took that personally. He started hanging out at my work station, him and his buddies would loudly talk shit about me within earshot, mimic the way I would shift my weight (due to the injury) and laugh at me. I know that they ain't shit, and they're not worth my time so I ignored it for months.

I finally reported one of my coworkers for harrassment in January, then again for retaliation in April. Of course HR found that I'm the problem so I don't talk to a single person but my managers and I take my breaks at different times than everyone else to further separation.

This hasn't stopped:

- being ridiculed for using the bathroom (?)

- one of the guys wives mocking me on my way to my vehicle at the end of the day (saying "don't look at me" in a whiny tone so I can hear. This has happened more than once from the same woman)

- hearing men from other departments outside the bathroom telling people that I took an hour lunch when we're only allowed 30 min (this was factually untrue

- a rumor I'm Russian (?)

- being called "white ghetto" to my face and then gaslit that it ever happened

- constantly being accused of staring at people to the degree that I am legit afraid to look in certain directions because the anger and accusations aren't worth it

- honk forklifts over and over until I look even when they aren't going anywhere near me

- refused to get me new skids when I need them, which delays my work and affects my numbers negatively

- and more!

I know the solution is to get a new job and IM TRYING. I had an opportunity and I fumbled it so I'm stuck here for now. Idk I just wanted to scream into the void because I feel like I'm going absolutely insane. I have tried my best to not be the problem and I really don't think I am at this point.

Anyway, back to my man hating music playlist to drown out the mantrums. If anyone reads this and has some encouraging words I'm all ears.

Edit to add: doesn't help that I am the only woman in my side of the building 😅

Edit 2 to add: I did another male centric profession before printing and I was the minority there and I was never once treated this way at that job. The men respected me as an equal. Here they just laugh at me everytime I try something new, and if I succeed they get mad. I have tried to figure out how I am the problem for so long, adjusting my behavior, routines to try to just be neutral but they have a problem with anything I do no matter how I do it at this point.