[Elissa‏]

Not FI specifically, My daughter has expressed interest in a future career in trades. My husband and I are both professionals and would absolutely support her in whatever she wants to do, but I’m genuinely curious if anyone here either are or know women in a trade?

Can you share your experience on how this has been for you and if you encourage a young woman to pursue it?

Some background info, she is in high school and it’s a high pressure / college prep environment but we have many opportunities for trades exploration within the schools, community college, etc…

I may incorrectly have in my head that these fields are mostly male dominated and worry about sexism.

Any input is welcome and appreciated.

[Anthony]

I have a friend and she runs her own company building decks and doing home remodels. She loves it, does incredible work and also is working with local schools to teach young women the trades.

In my line of work there are women welders too.

Yes, it’s male dominated. It there are many women who do it and make a good living doing it too.

I’m sure there is some sexism but most of what I see, if someone is inappropriate toward them, they are dealt with swiftly.

[Paige]

My BFF was one of the first woman Operating Engineers in our state. She’s been doing it almost 35 years. Operating Engineers build roads operating heavy equipment.

It’s a very difficult field for a woman. Often, there is no bathroom/porta potty on the site. My friend has found many clever ways to be able to go to the bathroom.

It’s physically punishing and very hard on the body. Work isn’t called off for extreme heat. It’s a zero-tollerance field for complaining and goofing off.

They work hard, nonstop from dawn to dusk during the season, usually April to November. My friend is physically exhausted but can’t retire due to a bad divorce.

The field is usually one of the top paying trades. The OE Union is an excellent union, with great benefits and retirement plan.

It’s very high tech with continuous training on new technologies. OEs have to earn certifications for new tech to be able to operate new machinery, and need to stay on top of it to stay eligible to be called out for jobs.

I know it’s not politically correct to say a field really isn’t good for women but the truth is, operating engineer is really a man’s field because it’s so physically punishing.

My friend says that the job is too hard on the body and men’s bodies are more built for it.

[Tony]

Given the unbalanced M/F ratio and the overall demographic, there will undoubtedly be sexism and inappropriate comments at play, but honestly that works incredibly well to your daughter’s advantage.

Something like 13M single/solo women own their own homes, and all the ones I know have at one point or another relayed a story of when they were either taken advantage of, been condescended to, or have been mansplained to by a tradesperson.

These women typically dread these interactions when getting work done on a house.

She can flip the script on this – there is a HUGE W to W market to be tapped if she can learn how to market her business to other women.

She won’t be short on work if she’s good at what she does.

[Emily]

I would also suggest that she take business courses so she is prepared to own her own business.

I think there’s a lot of money to be made by women in trades who single and older women may prefer to book for jobs.

Being a woman in a male dominated field, she may also be more likely to own her own business one day.

[Rachel]

I work with registered apprentices, and highly recommend she connects with programs that pay and offer benefits while training.

I know of construction companies that do and there are women in trades groups that will help her find the right path.

There’s lots of funding out there right now for registered apprenticeship – don’t let her take out loans, etc.

when she can receive her education and training free.

[Dana]

Hi, that’s fantastic! If I were giving advice to my sons, it would be to pick a trade that’s easier on your body over time.

It’s not something she would think of when she’s young.

[Dana]

I’m a junior high teacher, and I see a lot of the girls who go into trades steer towards the electrical path.

Hope this helps.

I know I could use an electrician right now!

[Deborah]

Woman engineer here who frequently worked with trades in the field, and was often the only woman worker around.

MOST of the guys I worked with were a little older (35+) than me when I started. They treated me more like a daughter (ie no rude comments, etc).

I’ve experienced more sexism in the office. Those caught me more off-guard bc my defenses were down.

We’ve worked with numerous women in trades, and I appreciate the job they do.

I never feel uncomfortable with them there, and they are far more attentive vs dismissive when I’ve described the situation.

I’m old and crusty now, so I’m not uncomfortable if it’s a male worker, but I happily support a woman who has the skills.

[Erin]

I’m a woman in the trades, and so proud of it! My husband and I own and manage two construction companies—one is design-build and one is roofing (different states).

There are endless opportunities to break the glass ceiling. It is absolutely male dominated and as a woman, you have to be prepared for some judgement.

Everyday, there is a comment, “nice of your husband to let you drive his truck,” but there’s nothing better than telling them it’s my F350 Diesel truck.

I love proving myself and living up to the daily challenge of being a woman in construction.

I’ve only had a major sexism conflict with one subcontractor, whom I fired.

I highly recommend!

[Heather]

My oldest went to welding school. That’s how she paid for college. She got two degrees in 3 years with minimum debt.

[Donna]

We have a female working in our Maintenance department. This is in a manufacturing environment where she helps diagnose and maintain a variety of mechanical and electrical issues on equipment and machinery used in manufacturing.

She is mechanically inclined (very hard to do this job if this is not something that comes naturally).

She did go to a 2 year tech school for Industrial Maintenance. She has knocked the socks off of EVERYONE in the facility. She is very highly regarded.

She has been there maybe 2 years now. There was still a lot of on the job learning (which continues).

Being an engineer, I was quick to introduce myself since I rarely encounter women.

She definitely holds her own without being crude.
To hold her own and be respected, she needs to do something she has an interest in and a willingness to dive in.

She needs to be inquisitive, decisive, and lead with her willingness to learn and abilities.

Note the difference between being decisive and being a know it all. Decisive is evaluating the situation and making a decision.

It may include asking questions and gathering more information. But if she flounders, it will be tougher for her.

[Lisa]

I am a woman in IT which is a mostly male dominated field though most don’t consider it a “trade’.

Agree with taking some business classes esp if you can find one on entrepreneurship.

Being a woman in a male dominated field does require a bit of a thick skin and the ability to ignore a fair amount of sexism but bring skills and she will win people quickly when they see her pulling her share.

[Austin]

Business classes so, if able, own her own business eventually to relax in older years if field is hard on the body (carpenter, mechanic, etc).

Diesel mechanic is highly sought after on my area (rural Ohio) due to gas/oil as well as trucking companies and the like.

My brother started as a compressor mechanic on pipelines and moved up to a management position making a decent amount into 6 figures.

I would recommend she have tough skin if entering the trades, not only from sexist remarks but general teasing/hazing that takes place in all blue collar fields regardless of gender.

I worked in prisons for a decade and male or female you were on the receiving end of jokes at some point.

Another side source of income if she is social media savvy is females in trades on social media can gather large following due to the amount of males in the field.

[Ashley]

I would suggest joining a fb group called Handy Women and ask there. There are so many women in trades there that comment and offer advice – and they are rockstars!

I have no doubt you’ll find support and it’s such a supportive group I can’t imagine your post would be declined.

There are also likely local organizations she may be able to find support from (women in construction, electrical, etc).

[Matt]

May I suggest she contact your local trade school (career training center, etc) and ask that faculty contact info of recent female graduates? They should have a few and increasing.

You can then see 1) the student environment, 2) what’s the situation for recent graduates.

Have that local faculty find you female graduates, maybe from nearby. Reaching out locally, for “coffee talk”/ informational interviews also improves networking, maybe even a better chance for mentorship.

Search for small YouTube channels of females in trades (I found quite a few)… they’re more likely to engage than larger YouTube channels.

[Amy]

I know a woman who is a welder. She got paid very well. She eventually transitioned to general construction focusing on residential remodel because welding is hard on her body.

Trades are lucrative fields but your daughter should have a long term plan on how she can retire early because it is hard on the body.

She should also look at commercial and multi family construction management.

They pay really well.

[Lori]

If she’s tough, she can do it. But she has to know she’ll face daily dismissive, aggressive, sexist comments and behavior.

Men will ask to talk to the person in charge, when it’s her.

If she’s strong enough to fight that, go for it! Good money can be had in trades.

[Stephanie]

I have an MBA. Went back to cosmetology school for my license.
Still work full time as an Analyst.

When AI replaces my job I’ll feel free to pursue my trade & see where life takes me.

Trades are never a bad idea.

Also, if she goes into anything male dominated that can eventually lead to women owned contracts for her which are multimillion dollar opportunities.

I wish I knew about general contracting, plumbing, etc 20 years aho

[Author]

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