Minuteman
Senior Member
- Location
- The Sooner Nation
I was a 304X0 in the Air Force. All the women in my shop made coffee, did paperwork, and found husbands, but that's apples to oranges as far as I'm concerned.
Why are there so few women in our trade?
- Thread starter 480sparky
- Start date
- Status
I was a 304X0 in the Air Force. All the women in my shop made coffee, did paperwork, and found husbands, but that's apples to oranges as far as I'm concerned.
LittleD
Member
- Location
- New England
LOL I make the worst cup of coffee imaginable, paperwork is boring and I alreay have a husband, why the hell would I want another! LOL I know you guys don't know me so I have to tell you, I'm joking, I can take it & I can give it so please, just be yourselves!
Cow
Senior Member
- Location
- Eastern Oregon
- Occupation
- Electrician
~Shado~
Senior Member
- Location
- Aurora, Colorado
I have only worked with 2 in my career. The 1st one I dont remember much about, except she had a bit of an attitude. Perhaps this was because it was over 25 years ago, and ideas were very different back then, I am not sure. She was only with the company for about a week, then moved on.
The 2nd one was about 10 years ago. She was great to work with. She was close to getting her JM license at the time. Her goal was to get her Masters and open her own shop down the road. She had a good attitude, focused on the job at hand, did neat work, wasn't afraid to work in general. Even for her petite frame, she was quite strong. Attractive, smelled great (which was a bonus as opposed to usual sweat, etc), was able to get in some small places and get work done that would have taken a bit longer to accomplish if left to the bigger guys to do. All in all, a great experience. Personally wouldn't mind seeing more in the field.
I worked with her for a little over a month and asked the usual questions. Why, when, how has it been, etc... She got into it because it was "something totally different and a self test and loved the satisfaction of seeing things built with her own hands".
Typical problems she said, were attitudes/ideas in the field and with employers.
- Guys degrading, mocking, hitting on her, oogalling, ignoring her when she was in charge of job, or project at hand, others giving her BS jobs just to keep her out of site, making it hard to get experience, knowledge, etc.
- Employers were concerned with same issues in the field, along with pregnacies, potential relationships developing in field and then dealing with a break up, sex discrimination/harassment suits, etc.
All this being said, there is an all female electrical outfit here in Denver, not sure if she is involved with it or not. Last I knew it had about 8-12 employees. Seen a few in the supply house, never had a chance to speak with any of them though.
The 2nd one was about 10 years ago. She was great to work with. She was close to getting her JM license at the time. Her goal was to get her Masters and open her own shop down the road. She had a good attitude, focused on the job at hand, did neat work, wasn't afraid to work in general. Even for her petite frame, she was quite strong. Attractive, smelled great (which was a bonus as opposed to usual sweat, etc), was able to get in some small places and get work done that would have taken a bit longer to accomplish if left to the bigger guys to do. All in all, a great experience. Personally wouldn't mind seeing more in the field.
I worked with her for a little over a month and asked the usual questions. Why, when, how has it been, etc... She got into it because it was "something totally different and a self test and loved the satisfaction of seeing things built with her own hands".
Typical problems she said, were attitudes/ideas in the field and with employers.
- Guys degrading, mocking, hitting on her, oogalling, ignoring her when she was in charge of job, or project at hand, others giving her BS jobs just to keep her out of site, making it hard to get experience, knowledge, etc.
- Employers were concerned with same issues in the field, along with pregnacies, potential relationships developing in field and then dealing with a break up, sex discrimination/harassment suits, etc.
All this being said, there is an all female electrical outfit here in Denver, not sure if she is involved with it or not. Last I knew it had about 8-12 employees. Seen a few in the supply house, never had a chance to speak with any of them though.
LittleD
Member
- Location
- New England
I have to say, working with all men has probably made me a better wife.
My husband likes to say "I have the perfect wife, she's never home and makes great money!"
My husband likes to say "I have the perfect wife, she's never home and makes great money!"
mattsilkwood
Senior Member
- Location
- missouri
i worked on a job a few years backand they hired three women as helpers.
one was among the worst help ive ever worked with, she would constantly whine if she was doing something she didnt like and had no mechanical ability what so ever.
the second would have made a good hand if given time, she was starting to pick it up pretty well.
the third one was a blast to work around. she picked everything up fast, you could show her once and she was doing it like a pro. she wasnt very big so the strength thing did come into play but it was funny to watch her, shed get mad and try just as hard as she could( more than i can say about alot of guys out there). she could also take care of herself, one of the other trades made a comment to her on day as she was walking by and she turned around and layed into him and i mean bad. it was funny seeing this big ol guy cowering like a little puppy
i dont know if she is still in the field but if she is theres no doubt shes doing great.
one was among the worst help ive ever worked with, she would constantly whine if she was doing something she didnt like and had no mechanical ability what so ever.
the second would have made a good hand if given time, she was starting to pick it up pretty well.
the third one was a blast to work around. she picked everything up fast, you could show her once and she was doing it like a pro. she wasnt very big so the strength thing did come into play but it was funny to watch her, shed get mad and try just as hard as she could( more than i can say about alot of guys out there). she could also take care of herself, one of the other trades made a comment to her on day as she was walking by and she turned around and layed into him and i mean bad. it was funny seeing this big ol guy cowering like a little puppy
i dont know if she is still in the field but if she is theres no doubt shes doing great.
Podagrower
Member
- Location
- Central Fl
15 years in the field, 7 women is all I've worked around.
The first two were when I wired houses, one of them was one of only 3 or 4 people I thought could wire a house faster than I. The other was on the high end of average for a journey(wo)man electrician. The next woman made a comment about not wanting to work, and it showed. Then I worked with a "team" of ladies who not only worked together, they lived together-talk about a money saver. We had a hispanic woman helping us for a while who spoke not a word of english and needed a translator, but she worked her butt off every day. The last woman on the job was the wife of another electrician, and she impressed me constantly asking questions that helped her learn.
It's is a locker room often on the job, but anybody is welcome on the field, just bring 1/2 a brain (minimum) and a decent attitude.
The first two were when I wired houses, one of them was one of only 3 or 4 people I thought could wire a house faster than I. The other was on the high end of average for a journey(wo)man electrician. The next woman made a comment about not wanting to work, and it showed. Then I worked with a "team" of ladies who not only worked together, they lived together-talk about a money saver. We had a hispanic woman helping us for a while who spoke not a word of english and needed a translator, but she worked her butt off every day. The last woman on the job was the wife of another electrician, and she impressed me constantly asking questions that helped her learn.
It's is a locker room often on the job, but anybody is welcome on the field, just bring 1/2 a brain (minimum) and a decent attitude.
360Youth
Senior Member
- Location
- Newport, NC
brian john
Senior Member
- Location
- Leesburg, VA
Because we are lucky.
JacksonburgFarmer
Senior Member
- Location
- Butler County Ohio
I have worked around/with 3 women electricians.....
The first was a 4th year apprentice, I was a 3rd.....she thought that she was gods gift to electrical work.....some of the others did as well....I saw through it, never did like her....still dont....havent seen her in a LONG time....
The second was a JW, she was on the job I was on, worked near her (same floor) for about a month or two....smart, and knew what she was doing. She really liked fire alarm work....was married to another electrician on the job.....
The third. She was in my apprenticeship class. I am certain she only got in the hall because she was a woman. (worried about law suits if they DIDNT take her) BIGGEST PAIN IN THE REAR EVER!!! She would bring her two 5-7 yr. old kids to school 3 or4 times a month, (little demons...) She worked for more contractors than anyone else in the class through the apprenticeship....She was on same job as me once, different contractor. We were 4th year, and she couldnt (looked crummy) run 3/4" EMT. Always complaining....piss and moan...blah blah blah....
In apprenticeship class, we would be doing hands on, or book work...and she would always say "I cant figure this problem, or I cant wire this 3 way light switch, but give me a MCC, or motor starter, and Ill have no problem....Ok. Here is a schematic and a couple contactors, pushbuttons ect....build this schematic.....oh, well I cant do this, but I know all about PLC's....same deal the next time around......Dont know where she is now....
The first was a 4th year apprentice, I was a 3rd.....she thought that she was gods gift to electrical work.....some of the others did as well....I saw through it, never did like her....still dont....havent seen her in a LONG time....
The second was a JW, she was on the job I was on, worked near her (same floor) for about a month or two....smart, and knew what she was doing. She really liked fire alarm work....was married to another electrician on the job.....
The third. She was in my apprenticeship class. I am certain she only got in the hall because she was a woman. (worried about law suits if they DIDNT take her) BIGGEST PAIN IN THE REAR EVER!!! She would bring her two 5-7 yr. old kids to school 3 or4 times a month, (little demons...) She worked for more contractors than anyone else in the class through the apprenticeship....She was on same job as me once, different contractor. We were 4th year, and she couldnt (looked crummy) run 3/4" EMT. Always complaining....piss and moan...blah blah blah....
In apprenticeship class, we would be doing hands on, or book work...and she would always say "I cant figure this problem, or I cant wire this 3 way light switch, but give me a MCC, or motor starter, and Ill have no problem....Ok. Here is a schematic and a couple contactors, pushbuttons ect....build this schematic.....oh, well I cant do this, but I know all about PLC's....same deal the next time around......Dont know where she is now....
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Jhaney
Senior Member
- Location
- owensboro, ky
I've known 2 female electricians one is my mother-in-law who is a master electrician and someone who I learn something from every time I'm around her. she's a 5'4" petite woman who works just as hard as any 6' guy I know and she's one of the best conduit benders I've ever seen.
The other I don't think even made it out of her apprentiship she's the kind that batts her eyes and gets some single guy to do her work for her.
The other I don't think even made it out of her apprentiship she's the kind that batts her eyes and gets some single guy to do her work for her.
weressl
Esteemed Member
From the anthropological view that is one reason why women instinctually have less desire to find work where physical danger is heightened. The preservation and propagation of species rule.
I've worked with a few women in my career. I think the reason we don't see more is they are smarter then us, why do a job where you have to crawl in attics in the middle of a heat wave, stand outside and wire parking lots in sub zero weather during the winter, where one lasp in judgement could either kill you or someone else. And on top of that watch everyother trade get paid more, or treated better.
I have been working as an electrician for 20 years or longer. My interest began as a child when I would go on jobs with my Dad. I adored him and wanted to be with him whenever I could. He was an electrician who worked for a utility in generation and distribution. I loved to hear him talk about electricity and watch him work. As I became a teenager, the thrill kind of wore off. Then later on, my former husband was an electrician and I started working in the field again. It really wasn't the career choice I dreamed of because I realized as I got older that it was physically hard work. It was dirty and demanding and I hated working in the cold. But, my love of electricity that I got from my dad ruled out and I became a journeyman electrician. I am very lucky because as I have gotten almost too old to keep up with the physical rigors of doing electical work, I have been able to move into a career as an inspector. I have received a certification from the IAEI as a master electrical inspector and I love being able to be a part of the industry and learn more about it every day. I am still involved in the installation process and I learn alot every day.
That being said, of my six children, 5 boys and 1 girl, I couldn't get any of them interested in being an electrician. One is studying to be an electrical engineer. My daughter helped her in-laws put in a receptacle the other day and I was so proud. But, bottom line for both sexes, they watched me work my rear end off in all kinds of weather at all hours and I think they decided to do something else. I would encourage any young women or young man in this field, but I would never sugar coat it and make sure they knew that the work is hard and dirty, but very, very rewarding most of the time.
That being said, of my six children, 5 boys and 1 girl, I couldn't get any of them interested in being an electrician. One is studying to be an electrical engineer. My daughter helped her in-laws put in a receptacle the other day and I was so proud. But, bottom line for both sexes, they watched me work my rear end off in all kinds of weather at all hours and I think they decided to do something else. I would encourage any young women or young man in this field, but I would never sugar coat it and make sure they knew that the work is hard and dirty, but very, very rewarding most of the time.
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- engineer
I can't recall running across any actual female electricians. A couple female plant electricians but they were really more like instrument techs. They seemed as competent as the males doing the same job.
One plant I used to work in pretty regularly had one female electrician (really instrument tech). She was probably the best of the lot there. I liked working with her. She usually took care of things right the first time so I did not have to point out the things that didn't quite get done just right. Some of her colleagues were not quite as swift.
One plant I used to work in pretty regularly had one female electrician (really instrument tech). She was probably the best of the lot there. I liked working with her. She usually took care of things right the first time so I did not have to point out the things that didn't quite get done just right. Some of her colleagues were not quite as swift.
tonyou812
Senior Member
- Location
- North New Jersey
I just want to say that I really hope no one took my previous posts the wrong way. Sometimes when I try to say something it doesnt come out quite right from brain to keyboard. So no hard feelings people.
- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- Service Manager
I don't recall ever seeing a female plumber, tinner, framer or drywaller. I guess electricians are ahead of the curve there.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
- Status