Female Looking To Get Into Construction…?
Guys, how do I get into the construction field? I’m sick of sitting in an office chair all day at a computer getting fat. I want to do manual labor and construction seems like the most fun. I like painting and am really interested in flooring, like tile laying, carpet, laminate. But how do I get experince so they don’t laugh at me when they realize I’m a young attractive female that wants to work with construction workers?
Start going to the Home Depot/Base free how to classes in your free time. They are mostly attended by women. This will give you a base to your knowledge and you won’t feel so self conscious approaching someone and offering help with a project. Where better to hang out than where all the contractors & DIYers are?
If you see a project you are interested in find the foreman and ask if you can apprentice or just observe – they may have rules that restrict them but they may also be able to tell you where to go & who to talk to. Most smaller construction sites are run by smaller contracting agencies/agents who will have no problem with a Cute entry level worker who wants to learn the trade.
You would be amazed the things you can do once you get your foot in the door and feel more confident. I know of a gal who lives near an IKEA who makes her living putting peoples furniture together. Single moms & professionals who don’t have the time pay her $50/hour to come to their home & put their book cases & whatever kits together. What could be easier?
Just Do It! Good Luck!
“Habitat for Humanity” always needs volunteers to help build houses. This would give you some experience and you might decide after a while that the everyday hard work takes a high toll on your body. By volunteering, you would not be committed to a job right away, you could learn as you go and possibly decide that it’s fun for a while, but not for a long time.
Really I am not sexist, but physiologically you have to keep in mind that your muscles and bones have been formed differently than the men who typically do this work. I worked as an aircraft mechanic for six months and had (only) two female coworkers. Both had a great work ethic and did good work, but both developed ligament injuries in their wrists (possibly carpal tunnel but I’m not sure) from the rivet guns within four months. I still support their rights to try any work they like, but I now question if excercising your rights is always the wise way to go.
I do a lot of work on my own house, and it gets tiring month after month. And yes, I have gotten stress related injuries, too!
You could also be a building inspector; that would get you into the field without the everyday punishing work. You could also learn to use a fork lift, bobcat and other outdoor vehicles and again, you’re out of the office and in construction. Do what you love, but do your homework too. Talk to people who have done the job for ten years and ask about injuries, especially back injuries.
One last thought on being tough: the 1972 Miami Dolphins were undefeated and no other team has done that; yet whenever they meet they are on walkers and canes because of the many injuries they got as pro football players. Was it worth the price? Maybe for a super bowl, but I wonder?
get some training go into a training school.thats cool your trying to get into construction work ive only seen 1 hot girl ever working construction aqnd she ran heavy equipment most of the girls in construction are flaggers. holding the stop and go signs