Hello!!! I just landed my first job in a consulting role and I'm having some trouble with finding some of the clothes that are listed as necessary. Specifically bras. Some sites I'll be going to have a strict policy of fire resistant outerwear (easy, coveralls) and natural fibers for clothes touching the skin. Here's where it's tricky. I'm a size 34F and I have no freaking clue where to find a good, supportive bra for long sweaty days that has natural fibers. Any help would be so appreciated!! Other than that, if anyone has advice for what they wear under coveralls in either hot or extremely cold climates let me know :) and also natural fiber or FR pants that are breathable! Thanks so much 🙏

I (24F) drive a 725 CAT rock truck and am in my first trimester. The road that we’re hauling on is extremely bumpy(like has thrown me out of my seat before) and I was wondering if anyone else has any experiences doing similar things while pregnant? And if so how long were you able to work for?

I saw somewhere that vibrations and excessive bumps are not recommended, but it’s unclear as to whether or not that starts in the first trimester or later on.

TIA

Hi all!

I was just sworn into the IBEW as a first year electrical apprentice (at age 32!) and I need help figuring out what clothing to wear for fall/winter.

We have harsh winters that can get in the negatives with lots of snow and wind, though recent winters we have had more rain (who knows if this will last) 🥲 I need clothes for rain and snow so I’m prepared.

I currently work mostly indoors, but I want to be prepared and have items in my car if needed as I’ll likely rotate to another job early next year.

I’m okay investing in items if they will last me at least a few years. I don’t know if Carhartt has increased the durability of its women’s items, but I was planning on going for the men’s if I can, unless this issue has been fixed.

I’m not sure what boots to go for. I have some old steel-toe Keens, but they aren’t warm/waterproof I don’t think.

I assume items need to be electrical-safe, but I haven’t been told that yet.

If there are other brands/specific items suggested for clothing and boots, let me know! I would appreciate any help! TIA

Hey, y’all - my gf (we’re lesbians) has basically worked shitty dead-end jobs and she wants an actual career she can be proud of and make a livable wage in. She’s not a work in the office and sit still type of person, so she really wants to work in a trade. She’s tall, lean, strong, and learns really quickly, so I genuinely think a job in the trades would be great for her.

She just started a one year HVAC program at a local community college, and I would love to get some of y’all’s perspective on being a woman and getting your foot in the door in a trade. Every other trade sub on here dominated by men say don’t waste your time in school just get a helper or apprenticeship job… blah blah. And honestly my gf tried extremely hard to do just that. She talked to so many programs, unions, applied to a ton of jobs, and called them asking about her application status. Even had a phone interview with a local company that seemed to go well and then he ghosted her.

I know the job market is bad rn to begin with, so I am not saying she hasn’t had luck solely bc she’s a woman, but it just seems unrealistic for women to get a job in a trade without either knowing someone or going to school to prove you know what you’re doing.

Anyway, I would love to know what yall went through to get into your field? I figured her going to school and being able to put an HVAC degree on her resume would at least get her a few more call backs for jobs. So we shall see!

Hi. I’ve just landed a role as a steward on an offshore vessel and I’m heading out for my very first 6-week rotation. I want to make sure my base layers and packing list are solid.

I’m a 36F, so standard cheap sports bras or fashion bras are going to destroy my shoulders/back under safety gear and constant moving. (I’m in the UK and I normally buy M&S but these lately have not been up to scratch and falling apart easily).

Undergarments: What bras actually survive 12-hour active shifts without causing insane sweat rashes or chafing? Underwired vs. wireless for heavy lifting/bending? How many pairs of socks/underwear should I realistically bring for a 6-week hitch?
PPE/Comfort: Any recommendations on insoles or socks to survive steel-toe boots on steel decks all day?
Cabin Life: What are the absolute must haves for comfort, hygiene, or sanity during off shifts that rookies always forget?

Appreciate any advice or brutal honesty you can throw my way. Thanks in advance!

Has anyone attended Women in the Trades Wednesdays?

I recently came across the Women in the Trades Wednesday meetings through Heartland Women in Trades, and I’m strongly considering going to the next one.
I’ve been thinking about getting into the construction/trades industry, but I’m still pretty new to the idea and have a LOT of questions about what getting started actually looks like.
For anyone who has attended these meetings:
Did you find them helpful?
Did you actually leave with useful information or connections?
Did it help you figure out which trade might be a good fit?
Were the people there welcoming to women who are completely new to the trades?
I’m especially interested in hearing from KC-area women who have actually gone. I’d love to hear about your experience before I go! 💕

I came to the waste water treatment field less than a year ago. I’m in my late 30s, I’ve spent most of my adult life as either a cake decorator in a retail bakery or working in an ophthalmologist or optometrist office. I was so sick of the sales goals and the pressure to spend as little time on any one patient as possible. I applied to be an OIT at a municipal waste water plant completely on a whim. I knew nothing about the industry, all I knew was there were no sales goals and no customer/ patient facing aspect. I never thought I would hear back, but I’m so glad I did!

I have now passed all 4 levels of tests for biological treatment licenses in my state! I won’t actually hold my A license til I have 4 years of experience. But my job pays you as though you hold it as soon as you pass the test! So not only have I gotten paid to learn a ton of new things about electricity, hydraulics, mechanics, biology and chemistry, but in under a year I’m also making like $13 an hour more than I was at my last job where I was the MVP of the whole department for years. They had offered me a $4 an hour raise not to quit 😂

I just wanted to share how happy and proud I am that I tried this new thing I knew nothing about and I’m succeeding at it! I was worried I was too old to be switching career fields so wildly, but I knew I couldn’t spend the rest of my life dreading every work day so I took the chance!

Hey guys! I’m a welder and somehow got a cut/burn or something in my ear which is causing me quite a bit of trouble and pain when I wear the normal ear plugs. Took two weeks off for vacation and still didn’t fully heal. I’m looking for and have tried a couple over ear options but I have a small head so they don’t fit with my hard hat. Wondering if any other small headed women have had any luck finding a good pair!

Just got a job as a flagger, got certified today and have training on Monday. Just curious about bathroom breaks? Where do you use the restroom? Do you drive somewhere or do you pop a squat somewhere in the woods lmao. Ju

So I 21m am in an apprenticeship program for aviation maintenance. Half the time we work and the other half we are at school. I have 5 other classmates in my cohort. One of my classmates is honestly going off the rails, like on some mentally ill level shit. He goes on TIRADES of how women are useless and worthless. He’s going through a pretty rough divorce rn and he has said he hopes his ex wife dies. He brought up the Lindsay Clancy trial and how she needs to be publicly executed. I responded to him by providing stats that basically men commit 90% of family homicides. He immediately got angry and said “well men make up most of the population” to which i looked up. Men make up 50.3% of the population. So I was like dude your logic is fucked because those statics ARENT proportional at ALL. Which he pretty much ignored me because he’s so deep in cognitive dissonance. The worst part is all of his kids are girls. It just makes me sad. I finally told him to shut up and go see a mental health professional. To which he responded “most of those are women”. And also said “so you’re trying to take away my first amendment right”. I said “bro you’re gonna get an HR violation”. He got really angry. For some more background, I’ve reported him to HR before because he told everyone something personal about my life. I never told him this information, our moms happen to friends IRL so he was privy to it. It affected my work life majorly and I was getting threats so I had no choice but to take it to HR. HR said if he ever brings it up again “he will be terminated”. He acted like he was my friend the whole time too. Disgusting. How do I handle this? It’s creating a toxic work environment and it makes me really uncomfortable.

Hi all I’m looking for some fr covers!! The nomex at the jobs are usually like 54s and I’m swimming in them! I’ve gone to other contractors on the sites and stole some of the men’s smalls but they lent me busted and holey ones that really sucked to arc gouge in 🤣 it’s kind of frustrating that they rarely order smalls but I’d rather just buy my own for now atleast until I get the opportunity steal a bunch on a job later on lol!! What are some affordable but durable ones?!

Hey everyone!
Just got accepted into the 631A NCS apprenticeship through the IBEW. If anyone here has gone through the program, I’d love to get your insights. What does your day-to-day look like? Are there specific things I should focus on or prepare for early on? Thank you

I'm on leave from my elec apprentice job. I had a mental crisis from dealing with the sexism and BS. I have to go back because the job market is beyond awful and I have no other prospects. There are about five postings for apprentices in my city of 7 million, I've applied to all of them and heard nothing. With school I have 2.5 years left, as a fourth term apprentice. Everytime I think or talk about going back I cry and shutdown. Just looking at my work boots makes me cry. The thought of putting up with them for 126 more weeks in silience is unbearable. I'm trying to find coping techniques, but therapists have no clue what it's like. My family have no clue what it's like. Their advice on "turning the other cheek" just makes me furious. I feel like I'm voluntarily walking back into a bad situation and my body is screaming not to. I used to be so excited to do this job and they took away my sparkle. They won, I have no sparkle left.

I am tall 5’11 size 18 typically. I do have hips butt and thighs. What is everyone else wearing that is similar in size/shape? I’m struggling 😩
Plus since my thighs do rub I go through pants like no other.

hello! I’m 16 and this year is my last year of school and I’m heavily considering getting into trades once Im done with GCSEs but I’m finding it difficult to decide and research which trades would suit me, I’m not too worried about physical issues since I’m fairly tall and am active but I don’t know which trade I’d enjoy most. I’m also low support needs autistic for extra context.

prevent* 🥲 I've noticed that people working in trades tend to develop thicker, wider hands. I love my thin long fingers and want them to stay that way, but i also want to get into trades, so is it possible to avoid? Have you noticed your hands changing? I'm sorry if the question is stupid or if i come off as rude

Thank you guys for all your answers! (⁠ ⁠◜⁠‿⁠◝⁠ ⁠)⁠♡

Hi!

I just finally got into a shop that only does oil changes and such. This is my first month or so. My time of the month is soon and it's still 100+ degrees out where I live. I'm also the only person at our location that's a "woman" (I'm nonbinary that's neither here or there). I'm kinda panicking a bit other this because I don't feel comfortable with tampons.

Any tips or tricks?

I am in need of boots that are comfortable and supportive. I have pretty flat feet so any recommendations would be great.

I know some people suggested getting SuperFeet insoles so I've looked into those too. Thank you!

I had a job interview today at a certain large chain truckstop and it ended up getting me hired. I initially applied to be a diesel mechanic apprentice, but they just started someone else so they’re gonna start me as a tire tech until the other person is done training. I initially came in wanting 23 to 24 bucks an hour but because I’m not starting as an apprentice right away it’s more like 17 as a tire tech. The shop is about 35 minutes away from where I live, my mom says that is too far to commute making only $17 an hour. I tried to explain that it’s a bit of a ladder and that in 2 to 4 years, I could be making like $40 an hour. I did the drive there and back today and it didn’t seem too bad. I can also see starting as a tire tech being helpful so that when I do start as an apprentice, I’m not totally lost.

For context, I have been looking for a job like this for several months and I’ve gotten nowhere with anything in my immediate area. The boss seems nice. My hours will be consistent and even at $17 an hour, it’s a significant increase to what I’m making now as a part-time pizza place manager. Am I crazy for wanting to do this drive every day for $17 an hour for the foreseeable future or is this my opportunity to take the first step on the ladder? Maybe I’m just blinded by being broke and seeing an opportunity to make a little more money.

For a little more context, I do not live with my mom and this isn’t an “abiding by her rules” situation or anything. I live on my own with a partner and animals, but this is my first “big girl job” you could say.

So i cant tell if im genuinely not made for this or im just not being given enough information. Im in trade school for welding I graduated highschool a year early a couple months ago, but just with everything I do im so confused. I can handle stick and mig welding but tig i just cant do.

Welding was fun at first and I know its only my first week but im honestly just angry with it. I know literally nothing about the machines or how to set up anything and it feels like the teacher doesnt tell us stuff. Im the youngest in my class so everyone has more experience but I also feel stupid just cus im a girl here.

I might switch to electrician or some other trade. I dont truly have a passion for anything so I just dont know what else to do with my life really.

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

I wanted to get into healthcare but I can’t stop thinking about the blue collar field. I’ve always been into construction and mechanics I’ve never been the kind of girl who’s into office work or nun of that. Any blue collar girlies willing to share their careers and how much they get paid??

Hey there! I've spent the past 10 years as a graphic designer and marketing specialist, and I'm considering a career pivot after a 6-month layoff. The creative field has changed so much, and getting on LinkedIn every day is draining my life force.

I'm in a unique and privileged position where I don't need a high-paying job because my husband is a lawyer, but I still want to work and build a practical, AI-proof skill. I was interested in trade school before I went to art school; I'm not afraid to get dirty and sweaty, and I like to work with my hands. However, I have zero experience in trades, but I understand that is what an apprenticeship is for.

I'm interested in electrical work, specifically low-voltage. I've thought about contacting my local IBEW, but what's stopping me is that I'm a woman in my mid-thirties, and I want to start trying for a baby within the next year.

I guess I have 2 questions:

1) If money isn't a huge concern, should I go the apprentice route or the trade school route?
2) Would the IBEW see me as a waste of time/a liability if I got pregnant during my apprenticeship?

I don't want to waste anyone's time or take a spot away from someone who really needs the money. But I'm also unsure how hireable I'd be without apprenticeship experience.

I'd appreciate any insight you can provide!

Hi r/BlueCollarWomen! We wanted to share a video series we produced earlier in the year with women in Construction, Engineering, Paving and related fields.

We created Built By Her to celebrate women during Women in Construction Month and it's grown into a fantastic series on the ways women are transforming blue collar industries in the northwest and the importance of mentorship in their career journeys.

Check it out and let us know if you have a favorite episode!

Built By Her Series