I got accepted to the industrial mechanical course at my local community college about 3 months ago, I want to become a millwright after I attended a women in trades program, and this is the only way to do it in my area. When I told my mom I got accepted, she cried. Ever since I've told her she tells me almost everyday that it's a terrible choice, I'm too small, I wouldn't work well with "those" men, it's gonna ruin my body, it's not feminine. If it helps, for some context, my mom is Portuguese and she has a more old school way of thinkin. For example she believes the only "trades" women should do are firefighting and nursing.

My mum has always been like this so it doesn't get into my head too much but recently, I spoke to a union rep and he mentioned to me that I would be the second female millwright in the province when I graduate and soon to be the only one as she might be going back to school to be just a welder. He was great and was super pumped I was getting into the trade but I'm not sure why it made me nervewracked. What made this worse is that I met my course instructor yesterday and he told me that I'm the only girl in the course this year, and the first one who has taken the course in a long time. I'm getting anxious because of this and now my mums words are getting to me. Any words of wisdom/advice are appreciated.

When I have a moment where my anxiety is chilled out, I see this as an huge opportunity to become a good example and a leader. I'm a hard worker and when I enjoy what I do, I'm passionate about it. But my nerves are getting to me for the first time in awhile and its been tough. Ive always wanted to be in the trades, my grandfather, great uncles and other prominent male figures in my family were hardworking tradespeople and I want to follow in those footsteps.

Also, please recommend pants. I can't seem to find work pants to fit me. I got a bigger butt so everytime i bend with the pants ive tried in store, im showing too much ass lol. Please recommend high waisted work pants if you know of any brands.

hi everyone! :) I was hoping to get some advice on how to start welding? i was thinking of applying to a trade school near me but its about 19k per year (before financial aid) but theres a community college near me offering welding courses (about 2k) any advice on which route i should go? I heard going cheaper isn’t best but im not too sure. (ps: if anyone knows any good welding schools in nyc please let me know! thanks!😊)

Hello all I’m not great at posting things. But just wanted to see if you all had any pointers for me or things you wish someone would have told you before joining a trade.

I'm a welder , I don't go crazy on my makeup but I like doing my eyebrows and wearing eyeliner on my waterline, by the end of the day I usually sweat these off what's a good brand of makeup that can last through a 12+ hour shift ?

I’m 20 years old and an electrical apprentice going through my first year of schooling. Recently I’ve had some really discouraging behavior from male workers. Most of them are 30+ years old. I’ve been feeling uncomfortable with the way they communicate with me. It’s often reductionist, and blunt. It feels like they are saying things just to say something to see a reaction out of me. My response is often a nod of acknowledgment and I try to just brush it off. It’s gotten to the point where it makes me dread going to work, people who seemed trust worthy and cool have proven to be immature as a group but fine when separated from their “pack”. I don’t know how I should manage my emotions or reactions so that it’s easier to just move on. I don’t want to overreact in fear of being labeled of over reacting or over sensitive. I had another interaction where at a company meeting one of the guys poked me and went back to their group and chuckled. I felt really uncomfortable and violated of my personal space and I didn’t understand the purpose of that.

I don’t know who to talk to in my company in fear of not being validated or my coworkers hearing about it and knowing it was me.

Any advice as to how to handle these situations? I really want to be an electrician but I’m worried about this just being the norm.

So I made a post a few months back about getting accepted into my inside wireman apprenticeship and getting called into my first job before school or boot camp even started.

If you’re wondering if you can even do it; you can. I do have physical limitations, I am a small woman. On my job it seems to be understood. I’ve rarely felt that there was work I straight up couldn’t do.

It’s more difficult to feel useful as an apprentice than any of the work actually is. The people are mostly friendly if you’re friendly. I have experienced only typical run of the mill sexism.

So if you’re a small woman and wondering if it’s for you or if it can be, yes it can. Do the thing.

I applied to local 326 in Connecticut for Mill/cabinet and was wondering if any of you knew if this area is a tough place to get hired as an apprentice. Along with maybe suggestions of contractors I can contact that are looking for apprentices. Thank you for your help.

Couple questions today!

So first, do you discuss your wages with your coworkers? Why or why not?

I’m very open with my coworkers about what I make. I am a firm believer that open conversations about pay help protect workers against discrimination, or just generally being taken advantage of. I’m also very open about the fact that I feel so passionately about it because I’ve had previous jobs pay me less than my male counterparts. For example, at my first ever construction company I was hired at $17 an hour with no experience. Then they hired a man, my age, also no experience, at $20 an hour.

On that note, do you get paid more, the same as, or less than your male counterparts? Why?

I make $27 an hour at my current company as a lead hand. I just revised a raise from $25 at the beginning of this month. I’ve been my company for just under a year. My understanding is that I make more than both the male lead hands at my company. One of them is hourly at $23 but he was hired very recently. The other man is salary at a rate of roughly 26/hr for 2100 hours for the year. He has been at my company for about 2.5 years.

Why do I make this wage? Well first of all I asked for it lol. I had alternate job offers and wasn’t going to be paid under market value (I said it nicer though don’t do this please). But also I can operate every machine we have at an average or above capacity. I can lead a job if the foreman isn’t there, and I can drive truck and trailer. The other lead hands can do some of these things but not all.

Edit: also having done the math, I went from 17-27 in four years, which puts me at an average increase of 14.75 % every year.

Anyways, if you’re comfortable please share!!

Hiii im looking for undershirt/ tank top recommendations for work please and thank you! I’m a restoration technician, which often involves labor, working in hot, humid and wet environments and I am dying over here!

Hi all, as the title says, I’m considering entering trades. I’m 28F in MA, have worked office jobs since graduating college, but I’ve found myself at a fork in the road with my career and I’ve always wanted to work with my hands. The idea of being a welder, electrician, carpenter, has always appealed to me.

But I do have a couple reservations: 1.) I’m a cis woman but I’m queer and I look very androgynous, to the point where I get mistaken for a man essentially everywhere I go. I know that women have a hard enough time dealing with sexism in trades - I was wondering if anyone had any experience with homophobia.

2.) How do you guys handle drug testing? In MA weed is legal but I’ve read that testing positive for weed will get you fired from trades. Is it that severe?

3.) Are there any specific women-friendly industries/trade work you guys would recommend a beginner to look into?

Thanks so much in advance.

I’m wondering what ya’ll wear for facial sunscreen. I’m in the sun 8-12 hrs per day. I reapply once at break time, but every facial sunscreen I find is either a) flaking off my face within 2 hours (matte ones) or b) makes EVERY dirt particle stick to my face and I sweat through it.

Any recommendations? I just want one that will stay on and not cause me skin issues!

I need some words of advice. The site I’m currently working is moving along fairly well and our team will be cut in half soon….. obviously I am concerned with layoffs looming. How do you deal with anxiety about that while at work? And how do you accept/ deal with if you did end up being laid off?

I personally have never been spoken to re performance at work. I show up on time, ready to work and get along with my coworkers.

I'm getting hired on at a plant as a helper painter and I'm not sure what to expect. Can anyone fill me in ?

Recently started a job in a manufacturing/packaging facility and my hands are killing me. 10 hour shifts + ibuprofen + arthritis gloves but my hands are crying. Everyone keeps telling me my hands will get stronger and the pain will go away, but any advice for managing the pain in the meantime? Thank you!

Hey all,

I plan on calling my boss today to inform him that I am sending a resignation email (boss is in office and I am on site, hence calling instead of meeting) I am giving my two weeks notice today. I am not pursuing working in Construction anymore and am not sure what sort of job I will go for. I hate the job and I hate the company I work for alike. The last 7 months have not been enjoyable for me whatsoever.

I'm just so nervous and anxious to do so, truthfully I haven't found another job yet. Ny boyfriend and I have discussed financials and we should be fine if I am out of work for a few weeks, logistically I think the best course of action is to properly look and start applying once I know for sure that I am leaving on said date.

What do I say if he asks why I am leaving, or asks where I am going?

Any advice would be very appreciated!

See Title. This might not be the best subreddit to post this on, but f**k it. I'm Canadian, Cis-Female, White, 26, Conventionally Attractive, and have no skills to my name or any idea what to do as a career. Everyone that I've spoken to about career options has told me "go into the trades" and they've been very aggressive about getting that point across.

I'm not completely averse to the idea, but I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't apprehensive. I've heard that you need to have one hell of a thick skin to survive this industry, that reporting unsafe behaviour (racism, sexism, or other kinds of masculine nimrodery) is considered a cardinal sin, and I heard from two former classmates (who might have been joking) that in order to get into the union they had to >!suck off!< the higher ups. As an SA survivor this is extremely concerning.

I can't get a straight answer from anyone, so I've turned to reddit of all places. Sisters! You have been in the trenches, you have knowledge that I lack, I want to hear your stories. What the Eff is it like in the trades? Should I consider it a viable option or run for my life?! If I do enter the trades, will I be kissing the possibility of ever having female friends goodbye? I'm here waiting to absorb every bit of knowledge that you're willing to share.

Thanks in advance,

- An Apprehensive College Redditor.

UPDATE: Well, I'm definitely more comfortable from reading about the experiences from everyone here. Thanks for sharing! I printed out all the apprenticeship application materials from my areas IBWE site. Now to try and relearn algebra I guess xD

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So for background I took industrial tech way back in high school in the early 2000s and was in essentially boat building club in middle school. I really enjoyed my electrical shop classes, but didn't think trades were for me and felt the go to college push.

Turning 35 this July, I work as a Dietitian, its a great job for some people, definitely not for me and Healthcare has beyond burned me out to want to pursue other fields. I've been working on transitioniong to cyber security, but had a conversation recently with my dad who was in HVAC and Plumbing before becoming a PM. He mentioned the trades are hurting, people are retiring faster than people are starting apprenticeships. And so the trade conversation came out again after almost 20 years.

I'm seriously considering this path. But I only know old men who have worked in it and no women, let alone people in their 30s or 40s.

The instructor from the training hall pitched a nice deal about benefits, insurance, over time, etc once the apprenticeship is done. I'm too old to fall for the pretty stuff only. Whats QoL really like, how does it feel to be an electrician in your 40s or 50s. Do people actually take time off.

I'm not scared of working a manual job, holidays, weekends, I've done it all before. But after working in the hospital for almost 8 years I have also seen my fair share of tradesmen who are in their 50s but look 70 and have the body of an 80 year old. Outside of residential/commercial, what other avenues are their to purse and how likely are those jobs?

I'm looking at cyber because it has the growth potential that being a Dietitian does not and never will have (both financially and intellectually). But becoming an electrician was always my, if I could go back and do it again career.

I have an interview for a plumbing apprenticeship with a local union coming up and I don't know what to wear. Also any advice on the interview in general would be much appreciated.

I initially posted in here about a month ago, about quitting my corporate IT job and looking at getting into painting. Not even 2 weeks after resigning from my job I’ve secured a 10 month contract construction gig with Habitat for Humanity as an Americorp Construction Site Leader. I’ll be leading the volunteers on the construction site as we build homes. I’m so excited. This job comes with so many great benefits. I thought I just wanted to do painting but now I’m open to whatever comes of this opportunity. 🎉

Hello all! Thank you in advance for your help.

I’ll be spending a lot of time this summer inspecting bridges, and I am not super keen on the heat. We have to wear hip waders to walk under the bridge, and my pants feel soaking wet at the end of the day from sweat. We are given cotton t-shirts to wear, but I find them really uncomfortable and don’t protect my arms from the sun, bugs, brush, etc. The guys normally wear jeans or shorts with the tshirts, but I’m curvy enough that jeans cling to my legs and don’t dry when I sweat.

Does anyone have recommendations for long sleeve or regular wicking shirts and pants? Thanks!

I’m a general carpenter but in my two years of experience so far I’ve been framing 90% of the time. The crew I work with are awesome dudes and fun to work with. But while crossing paths with other trades one the job site I always hate feeling all the extra eyes watching me do my work.

For example today one of the window guys from another company came in and said “You were the talk of the shop this morning! You put the other guys to shame bringing all the lumber upstairs yesterday”. I said “thanks. Just doing my job”. Realistically I definitely know I wasn’t going faster or carrying more than the guys.

I mean I always appreciate a compliment cause most days I try to work my ass off but shit like that is too much. Does anyone else deal with stuff like that? I’ve have a few nasty encounters on job sites so being over-complimented is the better side of things.

On the bright side of things I once worked with another carpenter on a job site who came in and said he told his daughters he was working with a lady. His daughters thought it was the coolest thing and were amazed.

Just had an interview for an HVAC job that requires extensive travel. They offer $33/hr for full-time and they’d pay for travel expenses, but didn’t mention anything extra for being away from home. Does that sound normal or do I sound spoiled? Just wondering if it’s industry standard to not give any incentive for being away from home for days at a time. The guys that don’t have to travel get paid the same for 40 hours of work and go home every day. Just Sounds weird to me.

Edit: Thanks for clearing it up, everyone! I don’t know why I thought there’d be extra incentive for travel. Maybe I saw it in a movie? Idk but I’m glad to know it’s not standard.

28F in IL. Recently got a job as a tig welder. Been here 1 month. I've been doing mig/fluxcore for 5 years prior to this job. They said they're fine with my lack of professional tig experience. I made it extremely clear that I only did a crash course on tig several years ago in welding school.

I can tig weld fairly well for the job, but I have not been trained much on most aspects of the job, despite me repeatedly asking for additional training from my boss and 4 other high ranking coworkers.

My job is constantly in jeopardy. I'm told I need to work faster, make better production numbers. I tell them I'm doing my best and would like more training. Never get the training.

They hired a new guy a week ago. He's being trained on everything I've asked for.

If I lose this job idk what to do. There's no more decent paying welding jobs within 30 miles of me. Decent being $25/hr. Anyone else deal with this? What to do? Any advice or input is greatly appreciated.

I have been having alot of family issues lately and it got too much at work. One of the guys was giving me some shit and then i just cried. I explained that it wasnt him but my family but i feel so embarassed. Everyone heard and the entire work shop acted weird for the whole day after. Some of the guys were nice one said stop being emotional. Has it happened to anyone else in this situation? I don't want to feel alone in this haha. I also want tips on how to make things normal again

I started my job last week and was assigned 2nd shift after working 1st shift for the first few orientation days. Tonight was my second night on this new shift. Hours are 3:30pm-11:30pm. I’ve always been a night owl, so I really like this schedule MUCH more than 1st shift. The only thing I’m adjusting to is coming home at 12/12:30 and eating dinner between around 2am. At the moment I’m not at all hungry, and might skip dinner I guess idk…..I don’t wanna wake up starving at 4/5am.

Who here also works 2nd shift and how long did it take you to adjust?

This might be a dumb question in the end but I’m looking to find ways to mark my tools from theft, and I’m likening the Dremel idea since it’s permanent. Just want to find a way to make it look nice (I’m not sloppy like the guys). However can I dremel on the battery packs? Any other permanent recommendations that also look nice is appreciated.