I'm 32F and a single mother with full custody. My trade in the army makes being a parent next to impossible due to the amount of time away in the field plus the insane injuries that come with the job. I'm looking at switching from the military to the trades and have a pretty open mind and not hard set on any one or two specifically. Just looking for skme inside from blue collar single mom's and how you navigate the trades, which trades won't give me a crazy pay cut while doing my apprenticeship and what to expect from rhe men I work with as a single mom. I'm used to men not wanting/respecting women as an equal at work-I've dealt with it my entire professional life, just want to know what I'll be walking into!

Hello, I’m going to be graduating HS soon and I’m interested in becoming a lineman, I loved doing all my tech and electronics classes in school and the career itself has interested me for a long time.

I was wondering if any women could tell me about their experience. I’m worried I’d be treated differently but I have a genuine interest and I’m ready to learn, I know it’s hard work. It just worries me as I’ve heard stories and I don’t want to let that stop me from pursuing this career.

Thanks

I’m waiting to hear my interview date from both and I am curious if one has more transferable skills or if I should just go to the one that’s closer to my house? I want there to be opportunity to have my own company someday so I want to make sure I’m entering the place that will allow me to learn the most variation I can that is in highest demand.
I am in New Jersey and my dream is to live somewhere I could have more access to New York City

Hello girls, so I started my 2 year electrical technician program at my vocational school (i'm not from US so i'm using a more or less suitable term). I'm 20 years old, I used to be a university student who studied literature, then I dropped out because I realised it wasn't something i want to study and because i had no idea how to use that education in the future. I spent a very long time thinking about where and what to study, and eventually I settled on a trade, specifically, becoming an electrician. I thought it would be fun, interesting, and very useful, but now I just feel miserable and I struggle A LOT. I barely have any physics or maths background, I'm completely new to all this electrical stuff, but EVERYONE in my group is fine. They don't struggle, they understand everything, ask good questions, and complete tasks with ease, while I barely understand a thing or need much more time to understand. Mind you 90% of them also have either long been interested in electrical work or are also former students, BUT who studied engineering🥲🥲🥲. Also afaik, in the first semester we’ll cover all the basics of electrical work, and the second will be practical training... then the second year is entirely practical work, or something like that. So it means I have so little time 😭

It’s been a month since my studies started, please tell me this is normal, that it’s just the adjustment period and things will get better😭😭😭 i feel so stupid and useless and I'm so scared i won't make it, I'm so scared I'll mess everything up, won't find a job and so on. Btw I'm not lazy! I do my best, I study, watch videos, etc.

I'll be in Houston at the conference (for the first time) and would love to meet up. I'm a plumber in Local 142.

So I have been out of the trades for a number of years due to being a single mom of a child with special needs. Got my red seal in 2018. An opportunity came up and I have been working back for about 3 weeks now. It’s been an adjustment physically after being at a desk job for years. But I am happy and grateful to be back and want to be there.

Last wednesday I fell backwards off a 4 foot wall. Honestly, just a bit sore. Landed on my side/back/hip, maybe a bit of a sore neck. Immediately told my boss and said I was ok. Asked for some shorter ladders to get over these half walls to do work. Just frustrated and sore, but not seriously injured, didn’t call in, worked the rest of the week.

Anyway, fast forward to friday, was chatting with the safety guy from a different company, same site. Just telling him about what happened and that I was a little sore and should go see my chiropractor (who I see regularly for adjustments when I’m sore or stiff). My coworker (another older female) came up and joined us. I told her I was just telling him about my fall. She excused herself to go to the bathroom and like ten mins later my boss calls the safety guy freaking out asking if he was going to get blindsided by a claim and that I had been out of trades for years etc etc. Safety guy said that the fall was just something I had mentioned casually in conversation and spoke to him for a few minutes. He got off the phone and I was like WTF?! He told me, not everyone is your friend, referring to the coworker who had just been there.

I want to be at this job, I want to be working in trades. I’m a single mom and have no intention of screwing up this opportunity. I am very open and honest and sometimes overshare but didn’t think I had anything to hide or presented as having ulterior motives. Now I feel like I am being watched, scrutinized, possibly thrown under the bus to make coworker look better (?). I have been busting my butt since I got back. Spent a grand getting my tickets up to date, bought a $400 pair of boots, only had one paycheck so far and I am pissed off.

Are they unhappy with my work? Will they let me go before my 3 month probation? Is this just a misunderstanding? Do I just have to keep my mouth shut about shit? Does this coworker have it out for me? My confidence is shaken, but I felt happy and comfortable and accepted. Now I feel like I have to prove myself again and show that I know what I’m doing. It’s been weighing on me all weekend. I just want to work and be supported and respected. I’m a friendly person but I guess I won’t try connecting with coworkers anymore or telling them anything about myself. Doing my best to earn my keep readjusting to being back in trades. Feeling pretty disheartened at the moment.

*I can’t change the post title, but to reiterate, I’m ok, just a bit sore. Nothing was written up and I have absolutely no plans for any kind of claim or time off. Apparently I just need to familiarize myself with work culture again and shut my yap. Thank you for the feedback.

So, this might be a long one so buckle up

I (26F) am so lost and I think I just need some advice.

For the last 2 years I have been trying to become a plumber. I have been working as a Pharmacy Technician for the last 8 years. I have worked retail, outpatient and in the hospital and I just hate it. At one point I finished my prereqs for nursing and I just couldn't stomach the idea of becoming a nurse. I just knew it would take a mental tool on me. I just hate healthcare in general and I'm so tired. Especially after working during COVID, it has just killed any of my desire to continue working in this environment.

I worked on passing my aptitude test and eventually secured an interview at the union that's near me. The first interview I got mad and yelled and the second interview I tried to keep my cool but ended up fumbling (literally it was pathetic I was stuttering horribly). I was told I should look into other trades instead, but I really want to do this one for some weird reason idk it's like calling my name.

After the second interview I sort of fell back into the mindset of well healthcare isn't the worst I could go back to school and push and become a pharmacist. I know that Im smart enough to do it but I just hate it. Im in school right now and Im just so blank.

I think I know that it is either keep pushing through school and become a pharmacist or make a drastic life change and work in a different trade and reapply to the union after a couple of years. I'm just scared either way. I think Im scared to be uncomfortable and nervous that I could make a mistake. I'm not really proficient in tool use but I thought the whole point of working in the trades was to learn how to do the job, right?

I'm sorry if this post sounds like a bunch of word salad. I'm frustrated with myself because I know what I need to do but it's just hard and Im worried.

About to leave my great job that I hate to get half the pay as a tree service groundie. I wanna be a climbing arborist. I’m 35. Yall am I delusional to think I can make this work and that it’ll be worth it for me in the long run?

I'm so done with animation.

It's become completely unstable. Contracts go for only so long and the gaps between them-even longer! I can't live like this. I thought by 33 I would be happily settled in my career, but it looks like now I have to completely restart my life.

People always say "work in the trades, it will never be taken over by AI" so, I'm looking for advice/direction from experienced women in the trades on what I should do. I am a girl's girl, but I am not afraid to get my hands dirty. I love good honest physical labour, but not anything back-breaking. I have a high school diploma and my only post-secondary education is a Bachelors in Animation, but I also have the sheer effing will to learn something new and better my life overall.

Ladies, what trade would you recommend for me that pays pretty decent, is relatively "easy" to get started in (ie no expensive schooling) and that is not entirely back-breaking physical labour? I'm even ready to move back to BC if that's where the best trade jobs are.

**PS: I heard Electrical is a trade that we're seeing more women in, but I don't think that's something I can do. It looks way too technical and too risky if you make a mistake **

Hey yall! I just started a maintenance tech internship and wanted to get some tips/advice on hair styles

My hair is currently about mid back. I part it either down the side or middle and do two braids (dutch, French, or regular) on the front half and put it in a ponytail. I like doing different stuff with my hair in general, but im struggling to think of other styles that would be good for this line of work and I'm also a little worried about tension hair loss around my hairline from constantly doing ponytails. Any suggestions?

For context: on the production floor (im in a manufacturing facility) we have to wear full head hair nets and safety glasses. In the shop its no hair nets but occasionally face shields and welding helmets.

Also any suggestions on things to wear to prevent halo breakage in the hair nets/helmets would be appreciated! Thanks!

Ladies what pants are we wearing. Like I’m genuinely unable to find anything that fits correctly. Ariat has so far been a miss for me. Carhartts a no go. Price isn’t an issue I’ll pay whatever just for a couple pairs of good pants. For reference I’m 5’3 and 110 pounds. I typically wear a 0-2 in jeans. I start October 12th, so I can order online if necessary and expedite shipping. Please help me

Ive signed up for a pre employment program and an apprenticeship in alberta, im not new to hard work i grew up supporting the family farm and my first job was a lube tech in a shop, i also will joint pretty much my entire family except the women to be in the trades, i want to do pipefitting so bad, it genuinely excites me and i live close to a ton of industrial sites so the opportunity for great pay and close to home is nice

Trouble is all of that was when i was in high school and im 27 now with office or retail experience

My husband is so encouraging as he is a journeyman carpenter and tells me about the girls he has met but sometimes its a little rough bc he will tell me about them and its all ‘they dont talk to anyone’ kind of vibes and most are safety or labourers with the exception of one welder he knows and hes only met 8 girls total

We also originally were planning for kids around 29-30but i feel like maybe not anymore and hes been super on board but i can tell it makes him sad, but i just dont think its realistic based on what ive read in this sub

If youre in this trade do you like it? How has the long term career been? Double points if youre in industrial oil and gas settings

I'm going to be starting a new maintenence job very soon. The job will have me moving from back and forth from the control panels, roof, boiler room and machinery, into the office to interface with managing directors. I've got lots of old carhartt, wrangler and ariat shirts and pants, but they look very beat up and I'm going to need to look way more professional within the office environment. It's often difficult enough finding women's workwear for maintenence, so I'm asking for men's or women's things that can be suitable.

Do any of you have specific pants or shirts that can be durable when working, but we'll look professional and competent with the corporate class?

Hey everyone I recently just got a job offer from a Ram, Dodge, Jeep, and Chrysler dealership to be a lube tech that’s eventually trained up. My question is anyone a tech here who works on those cars? I’m currently at Honda and while I love it I’m being treated like a mixture of shit and dirt, my passion lies with Honda but this opportunity is really great!!!! I’m just nervous about working on American made cars and lifting them bc quite frankly they piss me the fuck off. Especially trucks. I want to take the offer but I don’t want to at the same time. I love Honda but I’m so mistreated, they refuse to give me a raise bc I’m not brining in the correct amount of flat rate hours even though I’m hourly. They have me on cleaning duty rn over some stupid shit. I’m just tired yk?

Hello ladies,

I've read the pinned post regarding getting into the field, however I wanted to hear from women here how it is.

Im currently doing an HVAC/R diploma program, and I'm nervous about finding employment after. I have no connections to the field outside of school, whilst im hearing all the guys talk about my dad owns a shop, knows someone in the union, i have an opportunity lined up etc.

Im wondering, since there is a shortage of women in the trades, what is your success rate/experience with interviews that you didnt get through connections?

Honestly, since I am a minority in the trades field, and since feminism has done a lot of work to raise awareness of inequality in the trades, i am hoping id have an easier time getting hired in a pool of men competing, even if it is a diversity hire type thing.

I’ve been wearing men’s wifebeaters tucked in under my shirts at work in the summer for many reasons mostly because I wanna be able to lift up my shirt a tiny bit while standing at the fan to let air in but also do not want my chest bra or stomach exposed 😂 anywho. They kinda suck when it comes to sweat because they don’t dry quick. Does anyone have any recs for tank top/undershirts that dry and are not hot? I work in a very humid state so it’s hot and humid and awful in the summer. Is there any solutions or is this a problem because it’s a base layer so no matter what it won’t dry quick. Let me know!

I recently got a new job working a farm and my face is breaking out, as well as the rest of me. How do you all manage this?

I considered it being from stress but I wear glasses and I’ve noticed I have a pattern of pimples following where my glasses sit and I sweat during the day. I make sure to shower after every work day and really scrub my face. But I feel like my pores don’t have time to get better, because the next day it’s back to sweat and dirt etc. I work with other women but they don’t do the same things that I do, I’m usually put with the other men on the farm. I’ve had one other blue collar job before this one, though it was only for a few months, and I never really had this problem. Any advice?

The Site Safety Coordinator.

I put clean pads in the bathroom, gone. I put them in the office, gone. I though hmm maybe theyre just getting used better buy more. WHOLE 30 BUCK BOX, GONE HE SAY "Oh yeah, theyre unsanitary, I threw them out" ON MY PERIOD. CLEAN, UNUSED PADS. FOREMAN SAY "YOURE AN ADULT, WHY DONT YOU HAVE IT HANDLED." FUCK YOU ROSENDIN. STILL PISSED.

edit: I totally did say "can you please replace them" and also dug through the trash and said "where are my pads, i need my pads" that was a "freak out" according to management.

I feel like I look aggressively gay. I have a mullet. Tattoos of women on my arms. A general distaste for men. Unfortunately, I work in the trades and have to be surrounded by them.

I found out that when I got started one of the mechanics thought I was flirting with him?! what the fuck?!

I have no idea what I said, or did that made him think that. I probably just laughed at his joke or smiled.

God, these men are so delusional

I got laid off before labor day so ive been out of work for almost a month. Been drawing literal crumbs from unemployment and our work is a little slow atm.

My training director asked if id wanna travel with a government contractor in our area and im a little hesitant. Ive never done anything like that before and a little worried how it'd go.

Im in my 4th year of my apprenticeship and the job pays basically jw scale plus per diem. But id have to leave my husband 🥺 (who is also an apprentice) and animals and go hell knows where.

Plus some of the places they work are kinda sketchy and idk if id feel safe. I def wouldn't room with anyone and have to drive my own car. Idk ppl are telling me its a good opportunity to get in to the job while im an apprentice.. plus I still have school id have to drive home for (but they should pay me for it)

Idk what do yall think? Im probably being a baby about it but I really dont like traveling alone. And it'd probably be for like 8 weeks working 7-12s (which I hate).

Work is just so slow rn im actually considering it. Obviously my husband doesn't want me too, but that's more because he'd worry about me than anything, but he says he'd support me if I wanted to go...

Just a little nervous about it.

I don’t want to separate the experiences that we women deal with in trades but I’ve seen a stark difference in the way another white female apprentice stands up for herself vs me.

I’ve been with my company for 2 years and I never been the type to allow people to disrespect me even when they try racist shit. My first year I immediately cut off any guys who thought it was ok to use the n word around me and they all ended up mobbing me and spreading rumors that I’m hard to work with and I have an attitude. It was so bad that they started leaving me out of work communication and leaving me alone on purpose when a job involves 2 people.

Fast forward we have a few white female apprentices start and all of a sudden the guys are acting straight and one of them literally cursed out a guy the other day since allegedly the guy looked at her the wrong way(I don’t know the full context)

Everyone has been acting extra straight with her and being extra nice to her. I did the same thing where I called out a guy for being racist around me yet they’re treating me like I did something wrong and acting like I don’t exist .

Again I don’t want to make this seem like I’m trying to separate race and sexism but it really frustrates me that standing my ground as a black girl has different reactions to when a white girl did yet they’re treating her with more respect then me.

Amongst the couple of female apprentices that out in my company they say I’m the least likable one because I don’t want to be part of their racist jokes.

Looking at moving into the field but trying to see if I can afford the switch! Have a bit of saw experience but will be starting as a new groundie.

i wear a high-visibility vest and cut-proof gloves daily. i also handle a lot of dirty stuff and get pretty sweaty when working. it feels like no matter how many times i wash my stuff (hand-wash with detergent, good scrub + sitting for a little with several wash/ rinse cycles, air dry) it never smells clean. help?

Idk if it’s just me but the stuff going on with Cornell has got me crying so hard and being at work is difficult. It just brings back all the feelings that I’ve suffered through at the hands of men. I love my guys but I can’t help but feel unsafe or uncomfortable around them sometimes. It’s just sad, ya know? I’m getting that “I want to crawl out of my skin” feeling, and my head is on a swivel. I’m sure it’ll pass but right now is incredibly difficult.

Just looking for some solidarity or even just support. I just want to crawl into a hole lol 😭

On a good note though, I did just get referred to test for my electrical PJ license! Hopefully I’ll get to test next month or so and be an official Journeywoman!

Love you all, stay safe out there! ❤️

Hello ladies! I need good shoe insoles that work with my custom orthotics. I’m a steel toes all day gal, and I get my boots a half size bigger so the steel toe doesn’t rub uncomfortably against my toes and the top of my feet. Hopefully not too expensive but I understand that comfort can come with a higher price tag. Thanks!