#(and i'd like to add that this is a low-pressure personal project i do if i feel like it so please don't expect anything in particular)

[captainjonnitkessler]

Hey Captain, got a question from a stranger to a stranger (if you don't feel like answering, no probs at all!).

I'm seriously considering turning my life around and starting an apprenticeship to work as a roofer (in my country that'd mean 3y of apprenticeship with low pay for a job with okay pay afterwards). It'd be my first contact with construction and first physically demanding full-time job (have worked physically demanding jobs part-time before, and have enjoyed the construction work i've done as a volunteer). But i'm already 27 and finishing up a Master's degree...

What are things you think i should keep in my mind before taking this sort of step? What were your experiences when starting construction? I'm a bit afraid of the culture shock but also my skin starts to crawl when i think of doing the kind of brainy project management job i'm currently doing for the foreseeable future. I come from a family of academics so construction is a really foreign world but i don't want to let fear/uncertainty make me miss out on trying out a job i'd be proud off. I'm fishing left and right for advice to help me make up my mind so any tips are so very welcome :D

Cheers! Also i enjoy your blog a lot, feels very good to have a level-headed rationalist in the dash

Hey, thanks for asking! I love talking about my experience in the trades. I used to be in school for software development before I joined the trades, but I just couldn't see myself sitting in front of a computer in an office setting for the rest of my life. I liked working with my hands and being active, so when I was about 26 or so I decided to take the plunge and I couldn't be happier.

Things to consider before starting:

The culture shock is very real. In America, the culture is changing slowly but surely as more women and minorities join, but it's still very much a white cishet boy's club. Unions provide some protection against discrimination, but it's not perfect - you'll need a thick skin. On the other hand, construction crews tend to be pretty tightly knit, so you'll usually have people who'll stick up for you if things start crossing the line.

It's physically difficult - you are going to be SO SORE for the first few weeks. Climbing a ladder uses muscles I didn't know I had before I started 😔 But that does get better with time, and it goes easier if you work out/keep yourself active in your off time.

It's dangerous, especially for roofers. Obviously there are a lot of safety precautions you're supposed to take, but a lot of people skip them because a) they think wearing Personal Protective Equipment makes you a pussy, b) there's pressure from the bosses to get things done fast and cheap and safety precautions take time and money, and c) PPE is just really annoying to wear. Again, unions and a thick skin will help - I get jokes about wearing PPE when nobody else is, but this job is hard enough on your body without helping it along.

This one is my own personal opinion, but I think the inherent danger of the job and witnessing accidents and deaths low-key traumatizes construction workers. Add that to the stigma against mental health treatment and you get very high rates of drug and alcohol abuse and suicide.

But in my own experience overall, I've been incredibly happy. It feels great to work with my hands and be able to see what I've accomplished at the end of the day and it feels great to be working on hospitals and schools and housing for people. You'll always be working with different people in different places, there's a lot of camaraderie that's really nice and there's always something new to learn and do. I don't think I could ever go back to retail or white-collar stuff - for the first time in my life I don't dread going to work.

Overall if you think it's something you might like, I'd recommend at least giving it a shot! Worst case scenario, sounds like you'll have your degree to fall back on and at least you won't be left wondering about what it would have been like.

#thank you for asking! <3 #if you have any more/specific questions feel free to ask I love talking about the trades #construction

[whotellsthestars]

#art #comic #original #oc #original art #i've had this page lying around half-finished for 3 years shoutout to the person who commented here last month and reminded me of it #(also thank you very much for your kind comment i was very touched and honestly that's what motivated me to finish this) #i have zero idea when i might be motivated to continue this again #(and i'd like to add that this is a low-pressure personal project i do if i feel like it so please don't expect anything in particular) #but i'm really grateful someone read and remembered this after all this time #so at the very least i can finish this page since i've had it waiting around half-done all this time ahah..