I've been working in hospitality and retail for most my life. I have an associates degree in ecology that isn't worth a hill of beans, and I can't say I'm interested in going into debt to finish a BS with such little earning potential.

I don't have a dream job. I don't have any passions that someone could get paid for. I've looked into SO many programs and have come up with dead ends more than I could begin to tell you. Whatever Reddit says is a good idea, is shown to be under paid/over saturated with little exception. I also do not want to work in any medical fields, I just don't have the aptitude for it.

I'm also 31 so, not particularly young. I just need SOMETHING.

I've always wanted to try welding, but the wages in my area have prevented me from bothering. There is a good welding program at the community college near me, but local wages at $18hr have been less than temping (for context, I live in California so that's basically minimum wage).

However, again, no career field looks particularly promising. So I'm about ready to say fuck it and try it in case maybe something comes out of it. Any thoughts?

I’m going to be going to trade school soon and I’m torn between the two. The first job I considered was mechanic since I think cars are pretty interesting and it seems more accessible to practice. I’ve recently just considered being an electrician however. It’s pretty difficult to decide since I really have no experience for either and am not 100 percent sure I’ll even enjoy doing either of them. What do yall recommend?

I’ve worked in oil & gas for quite some time now and would like to transition to possibly ArcGIS

Hi everyone I’m currently an electrical helper and for the past six months my daily’s have been a pair of high top chelsea blundstone boots. They are SUPER comfortable and light and i have never come home with sore feet. The problem is that i didn’t waterproof them so they’re slowing falling apart and I don’t believe they’re EH resistant. it also took me awhile to break them in before I even took this job.

I’ve been looking at red back boots because they are a similar style, look light, and are EH resistant. Or I could try out Blundstones work series to stick with the same brand. But i guess i’m worried about spending $200+ on boots that I might hate. Are there other brands that make a chelsea style boot that fit these requirements?? Are red backs the way to go??

Hey everyone I work for a city utility and sometimes need to do wiring for water meter radios outside. Any suggestions on gloves to keep my fingers from freezing in MN winter, but thin enough to still do wiring? My regular winter gloves are too thick to handle itty bitty wires.

Looking for gift ideas for my GF who works outdoors.

My girlfriend has complained to me about how lots of blue-collar oriented items are geared towards men and how when there's something designed for women out in the field, it's generally more expensive. She doesn't get paid a whole lot and is super resilient, so I feel like she puts up with more than she should because she doesn't want to spend the money on some not-so-cheap items. With the holidays coming up, I'm looking to splurge a bit on her.

Some additional context:

• she is works on a conservation crew doing habitat restoration which involves lots of staking, watering, digging, and more
• we live in the PNW so it's quite rainy, dark, and cold for a large chunk of the year
• she's a leftie, so on top of using things designed for men, she also ends up using a lot of tools designed for righties

Clothing brands I was thinking of (but looking for more ideas):

• Smartwool
• Duluth Trading
• Patagonia
• Carhartt
• Kuhl
• Dovetail Workwear
• Red Wing Shoes

Also looking for non-clothing ideas, but for that I'm even more lost on what's good to get.

I'm in need of some advice. I work on a small crew, on which there are three men, myself and another woman, who started roughly around the same time as me. I've always thought of myself as a supportive woman in the trades. In my mind, the more of us there are, the less we'll all have to deal with people who aren't used to working with women. In other words, I believe we should keep making space for ourselves in these non-traditional fields. Unfortunately, a few months after we started working together, I started to notice that the other woman I work with is toxic. She's highly competitive, incredibly negative and before I stopped engaging, was dumping all of her emotional baggage on me. After a while, I just started keeping to myself and focusing on my work, so she wouldn't come to me to complain. Only that didn't work either. She started complaining about me behind my back to my bosses and actually went as far as filing a bullying complaint against me for some very innocuous interactions. The results of an investigation into her complaint came back with no evidence of bullying on mg part. But now, working with her is the absolute worst. She acts like she's above any labor intensive work and always asks for help when myself and our male coworkers are able to do the same tasks independently. She is getting increasingly paranoid and thinks people are following her, causing our company to make big changes to appease her. I'm at a loss of what to do. Although I love my job and my work, the workplace feels so toxic, I don't know how much longer I can stand it. It feels especially bad because I want to support other women and encourage them in the trades, but I feel this particular one is making us all look bad. Have any of you had to deal with such a person? How did you cope?

I finished my apprenticeship today, and my coworker decided to go on a sexist rant. On today of all days. He held his tongue this whole time, but today he decided to impart his "wisdom" on me.

On top of that, I am worried that now that I'm no longer a student, I'll be held to the standard of perfection. That everyone will turn on me.

I'm also exhausted from just being in survival mode for this apprenticeship. I have so many doubts and worries going through my mind. Any calming words to share, anyone?

Hello, are there any female sprinkler fitters in here? I’m F23 living in Toronto, Canada. - and ready to change career.

I would love to hear about your experience and how your day usually goes in site. Would you recommend this field ? What’s the scariest part about this job? Heaviest pipe you carried? Is there a lot of Math involved? and what kind ? (cuz thats prolly my weakest ability and yes i am overthinking so much 😭) What are your work hours?

Something about this field interests me but I don’t want to regret changing careers and Ill end up not enjoying it. I am currently in Customer Service Field and I am just DONE dealing with people that I am so ready to leave ($28/hr no room for growth - and i just really want to be in a career where theres less talking and dealing with ppl. I want to be left alone while I work basically lol)

Please please let me know! Even if you know someone whos in this field, do you think they would recommend this to a woman?.

Thank you so much im advance. I am so eager to start a new chapter in this life.

I'm ~10 credits or so away from graduating with an associates in general engineering, and then my plan is to transfer to a four year university and... i'm struggling with second year courses which sucks.

Hi, was going for a bachelors but i'm currently stuck in community college kinda feeling like a failure due to failing a bunch of classes. Assuming I could complete my associates, (I have 1-2 semesters left), could I just try to get into trades with that? Trying to figure out what i'd need to know as well and if i can just get a good chance at finding a job once i complete my associates.

At this point, i'm not sure if i'm even cut out for a four year degree. Saw some people suggest getting some higher ed to help in the field, and i already have some, so thats good but no actual degree. (I realize this post sounds alot like i'm looking down on trades and I didn't mean it that way, I had an interest in research and honestly that idea wasnt finalized at all).

Possibly apply for engineering technician jobs? Its hands on too which sounds good? Honestly went into engineering partially at first cause i thought it was alot more hands on.

Is it possible to become HVAC help/labourer without having a gas technician 3 or 2 license? I am seeing a lot people looking for a helpers but I dont have any experience in that field. I’m honestly trying to get into welding but that’s looking too good for me right now. I could use the experience and money from being their labourer but would they hire me ?Finding a trade job in general is so tough these days, it’s crazy. Is there any medium to high paying trades out there would hire someone with no experience anymore?

Im currently on night shift in northern Alberta, I packed for the weather (wool socks, thermal underwear and such) but didnt take in count night shift/wind lol. Is there any good heated jacket or sweater that holds charge for near 12 hours or has cheap battery packs I could buy. I really dont want to go on my next job (prob in January) without something to warm up. Other tips to keep warm would be appreciated as well. Thanks you for any input.

Finally finished my certification and I’m on my way to work at a refinery as a helper but I keep overthinking if I’ll even be able to make it as a female welder it’s just crazy and kinda scary to think about. Any advice or stories from any fellow blue collars ?

I’m in between jobs and thinking of a career change. For the women that live in Ontario, what trade do you do and how did you get started?! Thanks guys!

Kia ora, I’m a 22 year old in Aotearoa New Zealand who has just completed my pre-trade and am about to get a job as a second year apprentice. This company has had one woman electrician before but she left due to “not being able to handle the environment” aka was probably mistreated by her coworkers etc. Any advice for how to deal with that? I normally would punch men who speak badly but I need to become qualified. Thank you!

Idek what to say. I'm openly a butch lesbian, I'm also closeted nonbinary but I've had top surgery and it's probably clear if you know what you're looking at. Knew he was a Trumper but he's been completely normal when I've mentioned my girl in the past. Happy Thanksgiving I guess!

I am currently a 45 year old mom, making a major career shift into the wastewater/water industry. I have been nervous and uncertain at times in the last few months but every time I read y’all’s posts and conversations, I know I’ll be alright. Thank you for being here and sharing. I promise to give back to the women that come in after me too.

Did you do schooling, or got started working somewhere entry-level?

I have some interest in HVAC, Electrical, and welding, but wondering if its worth trying to pay for any schooling, or just to gamble applying for somewhere in hopes I learn the ropes and hopefully make more money about a year+ in.

Im currently a forklift operator and warehouse lead. Theyd probably like me to be supervisor but I dont want to do higher management - I like operating. But I cant earn any more than I am at my job so at a loss. Id like to eventually work up to earning 60k a year, I figure since I like blue collar work, maybe I should learn something more specialized.

Its hard for me to quit - since I actually love my job, they love me and its close by - but I wonder for long time goals if I need to start shifting gears.

Contacted a manufacturer about a heater. I've got both the original part and the replacement in hand and I ohm them out. One's 50 ohms, the other is 76 ohms. Called to check if the difference would cause any adverse effects in my machine. There's no breakdown of the "preferred" value.

Question:

Why are they asking me if I have continuity if I'm giving them an ohm value? Doesn't the reading indicate continuity? It'd be OL otherwise? Am I describing this wrong? Am I missing something?

Howdy! I am currently picking between two trades: Heat and frost insulator and sheet metal worker. Locally my heat and frost insulator union only has 100 people and 4 of which are women. I spoke with the union manager and he was ecstatic to speak with me. I sent in my application for that and then I also learned about the sheet metal worker union so I applied for that as well. The process for sheet metal worker is more extensive in my area. My question to you ladies are the following:

1. If you’re in either of these trades why do you like it and dislike it?

2. If you’re in either of these trades or were previously would you suggest it to another woman and if so, why?

3. If you were me which would you pick?

Hey everyone, I am looking for information from Canadian Locals about their mat leave policy. It can be any trade, and can be non-union, but preferably union answers.

Specifically looking to see if any locals offer top ups or any other form of payment while you receive mat leave EI benefits.

Aloha Chicas! Anyone here an underwater welder can answer some career questions??

I hate everything about this. My union boss is pulling a power play on an adjacent boss who wanted to use me for a specific task. But because it wasn't big boss's idea, I haven't been assigned any of the adjacent tasks I had done, for months. I can't do anything about it because #1 it wasn't my fault/not my conversation to have, and #2 I've been "benched" before for taking a call and not informing him in the proper way beforehand. I don't know if I'm asking for advice or just venting right now, but the boss holds his cards so tightly one never knows what is happening until days/hours before it does.

I am a leaf on the wind right now - bringing up the adjacent boss's opinion is only going to bring me grief. I am "only" [my current job] so I couldn't possibly be added to the [different job] roster. Nevermind the time I've spent teaching myself that job and ingratiating myself via skill to the adjacent boss.

Because it wasn't His idea, I'm back at square one. I am union, and I know he doesn't have any interest in firing me, but I like to think I've more than earned my keep, and to be unofficially demoted because someone else took an interest to my wanting to explore new skills is just wild.

Looking to start a workshop but it's just me at this stage 🙃 probably get a mig then get a tig when the time calls for it can you post pictures as well please

Hey ladies. I want to get into welding & have zero experience. Where do I begin!? Going to school? Does the union have welding apprentice? Any help would be appreciated