[x-post /r/TwoX] Women who are skilled tradespeople - can you tell me a bit more about what you do and your experience in the industry? I'm having a hard time finding answers elsewhere.

I'm a lady ironworker apprentice!

  • What age did you get started in your trade?
    I started my apprenticeship when I was 25.
  • Did you hop right into being an apprentice or did you start off with schooling?
    I took welding classes at the local community college when I was 18 because I wanted to learn how to make sculpture. I also have a BFA in sculpture, so that helped with learning how to use some tools I'd use in the field.

  • What are the pros and cons of your trade?
    Cons: we are the ones who put up the skeleton of everything, so while being in the air or on the iron you could fall with one missed step. You could injure yourself a thousand different ways. It's seriously dangerous work. The occasional low educated racist sexist asshole. People who can't figure out how to talk to women without the purpose being hitting on them. It's like they forget women are for other purposes then for them to want to fuck. This happens once in a blue moon. Getting hurt is the pits for multiple reasons. Pros: it's really fun being the first on top of the roof of a building. Or welding a bridge together. Putting in the rest of the bolts in a connection is like a puzzle 10 or 100ft in the air. Trying to figure out how to get a weld done and getting in crazy positions to do it. The sense of accomplishment you get from looking at a building and remembering you put up those stairs that people use every day.

  • Do you have any regrets? I hardly hate my job, but when it's freezing or I'm sweating so much everything is slippery, I do wonder how people get those cushy office jobs and get paid the same as me.

  • Did you have any issues being a woman if you're in a trade that tends to have a high man:woman ratio?
    The man to women ratio will always be off. Always. This is work for a certain breed of lady. You don't have to be super tom boy, but you have to have tough skin. These guys can be the biggest sweet hearts, teach you stuff you have to know, and take you under their wing. But you will also meet crazy ass dudes that are freaked out that you are just around. Their emotional intelligence is limited and manners are worse. I have come across guys that are stunned I can actually pick up things. I love working with them though. I have learned so much from these guys. I'm from a totally different world then they are, but doing what I do has been awesome.

/r/BlueCollarWomen Thread