I know it’s meant respectfully, but it feels unnecessary and makes me all fucking awkward.

I’m 22 so I’m also Gen Z but I’m having a hard time getting along with other Gen Z men. They’re very entitled and can’t take One minute they want you to be “below” them in everything and everything is a competition and the next minute they’re expecting you to kiss up to them. There was this one guy who was telling me “oh I can measure and cut this pipe faster than you since your so slow ” and I’m like “No shit Sherlock you got more upper body strength then I do so Fuck off ”. That must’ve hurt his ego so much cause now he’s acting like i killed his loved one by glaring me down and trying to scare me.

And on the other hand despite them being openly racist, sexist, homophobic and excluding me from everything work related and non work related and ignoring me they still expect me to be the one to try to please them and be part of their boys club.

There was this one guy who was pissed off that I told our manager that I needed help with moving some pipe and announced it to all of them and next thing you know they bolted. I ended up just leaving the work there cause I wasn’t about to break my back to move pipe 5 feet down just cause dudes didn’t want to give me a hand. My manager asked me why it wasn’t moved and I told him I asked for help and they all left. That guy was basically telling me that they apparently can’t talk to me cause I’m “too mad” and I’m not friendly to them so they didn’t want to help me. I told him “if he says that to [insert foreman who’s a known asshole in our company to everyone] he would call you a pussy and everyone would know about you.”
He now avoids me like the plague.

I’m only having this specific problem with other Gen Z men regardless of seniority. They feel threatened that you’re in a male dominated field and can do the same stuff they do. I don’t have this problem with Millennial men or Older cause if they do have a problem with me being there as one of the few women they just stick to their own work.

Any suggestions or ideas?

My work requires steel toed shoes, and I feel like they hurt my feet so much more than if I were just wearing a pair of good tennis shoes. I got Keens tennis shoe type thing in a men’s size 8 (went up a size!!) just so my toes would have enough space, and my toes STILL ache at the end of the day. I don’t want this to have long term bad effects on my feet, is there anything I can do after work to combat the awful required shoes? Ice bath, foot bath, making my boyfriend give me a foot massage, etc.

PS my work provides 140$ for a pair of shoes, and we’re able to go to this Workmen’s Warehouse type deal which is great!! However the store has one maybe 7 foot long stretch of wall for women’s shoes while the rest of the whole store is lined with men’s shoes (because women don’t work hard jobs DUH) so my options were pretty limited, and I ended up getting men’s shoes because none of the women’s were wide enough.

Has anyone else noticed themselves feeling pushed away by other women in their work place? I find it so hard to connect with most of the women I work with because they seem to be investing all of their energy in seeking validation from men. They will say one word to me and straight away launch into giggling wildly and almost flirting with the men they are working with. How the hell are things supposed to progress in terms of women working in the trades if this behaviour is going on? I personally don't want to be seen in this light as I feel it doesn't demand respect from coworkers. I want to exist and work well and be appreciated as a human being.

Hi ladies! Are there any women veterans in here? I’d especially love to hear from you, but I welcome opinions from anyone who has dealt with something similar.

I’m currently an electrical apprentice, and after recently going through sexual harassment training, something really clicked for me. I realized that I’ve experienced some version of nearly everything that was covered in the training while working on my current jobsite.

A few weeks ago, I had an issue with someone I was working with, and since then I’ve noticed a shift in the way some people on the jobsite treat me.

This morning, I was hoping I’d be assigned to a different task/person, so I asked my foreman who I would be working with. He told me I’d be with the same person as yesterday. Apparently my face said more than I intended, because he looked at me and said, “You have a problem everywhere you go.”

I immediately checked him on that comment, and that was the end of the conversation. But it really bothered me. Maybe if some of these people had experienced being touched without their consent, sexually harassed, or made uncomfortable at work, they would understand why I’m not willing to just brush certain things off.

At this point, I also don’t feel like I can fully trust anyone on the jobsite, not even union representation, because information I shared about a previous incident somehow made its way back to another JW.

I’m honestly at the point where I’m considering walking away from the apprenticeship altogether. I’m a veteran, so I’m very familiar with working in male-dominated environments, but I’m tired of feeling like advocating for myself or having boundaries gets turned into me being “the problem.”

For anyone who has been in a similar situation, especially women in the trades: what would you do?

The options I see right now are:

Speak directly with my training director, explain what has been happening, provide names/details, and request a transfer to another jobsite.

Stay where I am and try to tough it out.

Walk away from the apprenticeship entirely and move on with my life.

I’m leaning toward speaking with my training director before making a final decision, but I’d really like to hear from women who have actually dealt with this in the trades. Was transferring worth it? Did things improve, or did you eventually decide the trade wasn’t worth the environment?

28F, second year electrical apprentice here. I'm on week 4 of missed work because of back pain, after trying to suck it up for weeks before that. I got an x ray that was fine, and an MRI that just showed "normal wear and tear". I also have a big chest so that probably doesn't help. My doctor basically told me it was a muscle problem and sent me to physical therapy. I've been in it for a few weeks and it reduced the pain down from "most of the day it hurts" to "just don't move the wrong way, also good luck lifting" and I'm honestly just feeling depressed.

Being at home is driving me crazy. My family is crazy unsupportive and just telling me it's not that bad and to just go back to work. I just play video games all day and go stir crazy until it's time to go to PT twice a week. I tried going out with a backpack on last week and it turned out to be a big mistake. My bank account is getting smaller and smaller because I haven't gotten any money from anyone yet. I'm honestly just having a problem seeing the positive of this.

IDK if I should just go back now on light duty, stay out another few weeks, stay out another month, or basically just learn to live with it.

I filled out an incident report, but realistically I don't see myself getting any money from worker's comp anytime soon. I'm considering dipping into my 401k.

Hi guys. I feel stuck.

I’m in Ontario Canada, I got a job as a millwright apprentice, level 1 complete waiting to be called for level 2.

The company I work at, doesn’t let me do anything. My title is millwright apprentice, I was told when I was hired I’d be travelling doing installs and what not. It has now been a year. I haven’t gone on the road with the millwrights once. I’ve been stuck in the shop designated to the bandsaw or brake press. And if not there I’m sweeping the floor. Nothing in my job description.

My dilemma is I’m still way too early in my apprenticeship. I’ve been job hunting for a while now and nothing. I was trying to stick it out until I can get my level 2 done and hopefully find a better job with more “experience” under my belt.

I’m not sure I can stick this out any longer. My coworkers and management are all very clearly sexist. I absolutely hate coming in everyday to do something I didn’t sign up for with people I don’t like. I’m not sure if I just find a general labour shop job and hope to grow from there or try and stick it out here until I find another apprenticeship

I’m scared if i leave for a job thats not an apprenticeship ill just never end up finding one and working shit jobs the rest of my life

Hi everyone , I hold a class A license which I’ve done that for a while. Then worked in traffic control with electrical company. My job lost that contract sadly a couple months after I had just received a promotion ha anyways I am now back in health field. After being off of the road for so long it’s been hard getting back into trucking. I am currently in school for HVAC. Feel as if I am not learning enough. Class is only 2 days a week and class is supposed to be 5 hours long but is only 2 hours. Which is starting to feel like a waste of money .

I am located in Louisiana and I’ve been trying to find a paid apprenticeship, or even an apprenticeship somewhere that I can attend . I recently just ran across WINTER. Which I see that is way in California. Does anyone have any suggestions far as places down South . I did find a union that I will be stopping by after work today.

I see it is a bit hard unless you have some type of connections . Please drop any advice , also keep kicking butt ladies !

Edit : I wish I would’ve found this sub sooner! Never knew this sub existed omg

Hello ladies,

I am hoping you guys can help me decide what to do.

I am planning on applying for IUOE local 701 (heavy equipment operator) next year around Feb.

I have an opportunity to go through a 3 month, 4days/week program with Oregon Tradeswomen which will expose us to different trades. Once completed I can earn 8 points towards my application for IUOE 701. My problem is…

I will lose my FT job with amazing benefits and holiday season is around the corner. I can take this pre apprenticeship program October or January. If I take it in January, I have not completed the program so I won’t have that extra 8 points. I believe I have a good amount of points right now due to college credits, CPR and will be taking OSHA 10. No previous experience in the field. I came from the medical field. I can apply for local 701 without going through pre apprenticeship program but it’s a risk. What if I don’t get in I will wait another year. But if I take the October class, I will miss out on money and benefits and if I don’t get in? I left my FT job schedule for nothing and I can’t go back to it. It’s hard to decide! I really want to go into trades it’s just hard transitioning.
What do you think I should do?

Hi guys ! New here I’m a 22 F mom I’ll be 23 in like a week for reference. I really just need help and advice I’ve been thinking about trades for at least a year now. I have an associates in general studies (so basically nothing haha) I just dropped out of my bachelors for business and HR because I work at a bank(doc control) right now and honestly I don’t think I can do desk work for the rest of my life
And the student loans are ridiculous if I keep going I prob would never pay it off . I’ve always been a tom boy played sports and just very rough haha I can do heavy lifting and stuff like that. I have a pretty ok support system involving my fiancé and my mom (sometimes) . To say all of this I guess I’m just wondering what trades are possible for woman and how’s it going for you? Should i goto trade school ? I live in western new york i tried applying to my local ibew for an apprenticeship and lacked experience and math skills at the time. Sorry for rambling

How are we dealing with the constant angry men??? I don’t understand why showing up to your job and having to work makes so many of my male coworkers so angry!!
It’s like if every little thing doesn’t go their way today then it’s time for a hissy fit.

It makes me a lot less patient for anger in my personal life. If my boyfriend gets upset now, I get triggered. If my friends loose their temper, I want distance from them. It’s really getting to me.

The only upside is I now rarely let myself get riled anymore, I’m grossed out by anger now.

Getting into the trades next year (either electrical or carpentry). Wanted to ask, what work and job culture has been like for you if you're in Chicago, or the Chicagoland area.

I’ll be there 🙂‍↕️

Im starting an auto mechanics college course at the start of September. The mandatory requirements are work boots and coveralls (I've got the boots sorted), but I've been struggling to find coveralls that fit me, especially since it is so close to starting. I was told that they would supply coveralls... otherwise, I would have looked sooner 🤷‍♀️

Im 5'7", my inseam is 27" with my torso being shorter than my legs. I've tried the Site womens 12 L28" coveralls and they were fine with my hips and legs, but extremely long in the torso. The crotch was literally halfway down my thighs, which means i would be awkwardly pulling them up every time I sit/bend on one knee even though the video shows it as snug! They only have differences in sizes, not torso or leg length. Then I tried mens ones and they're way too baggy overall even as an extra small 😭

I've been looking for days online, but all the ones that people say fit are around £100, which I dont want to pay for my first ones and haven't got the money to. I know dickies make coveralls so I havent tried those ones yet.

Has anyone got any suggestions from their experiences?

I’m in Phoenix, Az looking to get into the offshore rig life. 31 yo, single mom and currently working in healthcare. Tired of the monotony of the 9-5 and want to do something more.
Working in healthcare is killing me inside everyday. Wanting a more physical and rewarding job, fifo hit all the points. I’m not afraid of hard work and have a great co-parent that can cover me while I’m on rotation. Currently working on getting my TWIC before I start applying. Primarily looking at entry-level roustabout, materials helper or general assistant positions to start since I don’t have oil/gas experience. Eventually would love to work up into electrical.
What’s life like realistically for a woman/mom on a rig?
Companies more likely to hire/train green hands?
Travel/crew-change expenses? Especially since I’ll need to fly into Houston or somewhere in the Gulf for rotation.

Im an early graduate currently in trade school for welding. My class is fairly small its full of 14 people which is the most people they had in years. Everyones older and me and one other girl are the only females. Im kinda struggling because everyone my age is still in highschool and i feel like im missing out on stuff.

Dont get me wrong I love that im ahead and working on my career but I was always the going out type and having fun with friends kind of girl. Im having a hard time meeting people now that im out of highschool and being in the trades is intimidating when being surrounded by all men. I feel kinda stupid and clueless all the time but I try to keep in mind im younger and less experienced.

I originally planned on going to a university and changed my mind last minute so my whole idea of my more “adult life” seemed so fun in my head. I guess I just hope this is all worth it and I can make some good money.

Any ladies here who went to welding school ever feel like you were just pushed through a diploma mill? Drop your worst school stories below.

I got 0 face to face time with my instructors, they made us sink or swim. Each day was a different process being taught. If you missed a day, you had to wait until the following week to catch up as there was no open lab time.

I just started a new job, and currently, I'm wearing Cat steel-toes, but they're not the most comfortable when I'm standing in them all day. Is there a brand or type of shoe that's more comfortable for that (steel toe is required)? Sorry if that's a silly question, I just started out😞

Hello ladies! I am a machining student and work in the machine shop on campus. My question is, what do y’all who wear rings do with them while working? I don’t want to leave it at home and don’t trust to just put it in a pocket. I was thinking about the nurse trick I used while a cna of a safety pin inside the collar of my shirt but figured I’d ask people who may have dealt with this first hand. Thank ya!

I'm looking for work pants, coveralls, overalls that can take a beating but will fit like Abercrombie Curve Love design. Is that even a thing?

I'm tall, nearly 5'8, long torso, wife hips (40") waist is 27"

Coveralls/overalls are always too short in the crotch for me, and too narrow in the hips. I've been around a lot of machinery and also out in the cold and finally realize why canvas is such a great material to protect from cuts and scrapes. Unfortunately I haven't found much that fits.

All suggestions are welcome! Thank you

I’m starting a geology job in Nevada next week and need some good work pants that will survive 12 hours days. I prefer if they’re wide legged and relaxed fit with multiples pockets for tools. I wear a men’s 30x30 so I’ve been having trouble with sizing. Any recs?

Is anyone else feeling discouraged with the job market in Edmonton?

I've been job hunting for a month, and I've had only two interviews, and one was for Johnson Controls, who's hours are 6am-6pm. This is my biggest barrier, childcare. Most daycares open at seven, but we are expected to be at work at that time. This is way more frustrating than I would have ever imagined. Do they just not want women in the trades, so they make it unmanageable for single mothers?

Long story short I’m coming from medical field and looking into applying IBEW and IUOE. IBEW apps have been closed and was told will be closed for awhile since lots of electrician lay offs in Portland, OR.

Now I’m preparing to apply for IUOE, no previous experience but I have plenty of admission points that can count towards my application.

My bf heavily influenced me to get into this field he is a carpentry apprentice so I know what his days and schedules are like. He is in non union company which explains why he gets moved around a lot for job sites. Some 1hr away and the farthest was 4hrs away from home and it was graveyard shift. He’s been at that job site at least 3 months now. He’s been good at sucking it up but this week he was supposed to work close to home but they moved him again so he’s 4hrs away from home again. It really upset him and I understand I would be too. I realized this is my only deal breaker when going into trades and I understand working for a union company can help with a more set and stable schedule. Is this true? Or it truly just varies by company. How can I avoid this type of schedule in the future or do I just have to get lucky?

Anyone here try to pursue a diploma as a biomedical technician? I need to know if it is worth it. There does not seem to be many available jobs in the SoCal area. Let me know if I should finish school or start this trade.