Plumber (10.5 years)

What were you doing prior to working in the trades?

Retail

 

What contractor have you liked working for and why?

Every contractor I’ve worked for has been great, or a great learning experience.

 

What's an average day look like for you?

Average day is getting told where I’m working (on site), getting a blueprint for the project, getting the tools I think I’ll need out, make sure I have all the material that I’ll be installing (pipe, fittings, hangers etc.) get started installing. Then I remember something that I forgot and have to go back to the toolbox for and the rest of the day is smooth sailing with a coffee break and lunch break and at least one potty break to ease the monotony.

 

What's something that surprised you?

How much you learn over the course of your apprenticeship, how easy it is to admit that you don’t know something, and have someone stop what they are doing to show you.

 

What's something unpleasant about your job?

The fragile male ego, which I deal with by crushing it.

 

Work wear recommendations?

I’m a bib girl, I like having all of my things in the proper pocket, so I can have it in hands reach when I’m doing something and balancing pipe at the same time.

 

What advice would you give someone starting out?

Don’t quit when things get tough. Find a group or individual who are likeminded, and vent when you need to. Don’t be afraid to fail, it only hurts your ego.