r/bluecollar

Hello, I’m 18 years old and I lm graduating highschool in about 2 months. I really need advice on which trade to get into. I’m a big guy (6’3 310lbs) and just dunno what would be best for my size. I like working in the heat and I don’t mind waking up early, I enjoy hard work. I live in Charleston, SC. And I wanna get into a trade right outta school. Thank you!

Hey everyone, I’m looking into getting into a union trade (possibly HVAC) and wanted some real insight from people already in.

How serious are unions about marijuana these days? I know laws are changing depending on the state, but I’m trying to understand how it’s actually handled on the job and during hiring.

I’m more than willing to work hard, show up, and learn everything I can. I just want to know what to realistically expect so I don’t mess up an opportunity.

Is it an automatic no-go, or does it depend on the union/company?

Appreciate any honest experiences.

I got into bridge and infrastructure maintenance without any experience in construction. After two years, I’m now an unofficial lead hand on a small crew, being trained for more responsibility and potential leadership in the future.

That being said, I don’t have ANY training or experience besides what I’ve learned on the job here. what are some ways I can build my construction skills in my own time? I’m talking basic carpentry skills but also general “know how”?

Being an apprentice is not that simple as some people want to believe. This is the third time I am learning under somebody, and now I am at that stage that I am just tired. Like… is it me? Or do I simply always wind up in the wrong places?

Among various things I have learnt about myself is that I do not respond to negative feedback well. Whether it is constructive or not, it will not matter and when it comes out as negative, my brain will automatically respond. But the depressing bit is that in most cases I am not really in the wrong. I know my job. I’m not guessing. I know what I am about. But it never really matters, somehow.

Either it is swept under the carpet, or the single little problem is magnified or they simply decide to side with the customer in order to retain business. And that was just what happened yesterday.

One of the women presented herself with a car patch. I explained to her plainly, depending on the damage, a complete repaint would be more suitable. She demanded that it be only patched. Ok, I did as she requested.

Not long after, she comes back complaining that the work isn’t good. And, as you know, my boss sides with her. No questions. Nothing.

And I understand, he does not want to lose a customer. This is particularly true because he already has been stocking up on other interior accessories at Alibaba and is likely to want her to purchase more. But how is that just to me? Why does it always appear that it is the individual who actually does the work that is blamed?

This incident simply pushed me. I lost my temper, and I will not even pretend that I did it perfectly. But it was building up for a while. There comes a time when it ceases to be about learning and begins to feel like you are there to take the fall on behalf of all. And that is the bit that I am finding hardest at the moment.

I’m an 18 year old male working construction. I am still in school and I manage to pull off 40+ hours a week, I also work the weekends. I love my job…I was told when I went to school that going in the trades would be the best thing for me and that I would make a living off of it. Come to find that kids my age are reselling fake designer products and detailing cars and making hell of a lot more than I am. All they post is there bands that they “worked hard for”. I make 20hr as an apprentice mind you. Did I make wrong turn when finding a good job?

I (30M) am debating a change from a career in accounting to something more blue collar. The 9-5 office life doesn’t seem to be what I want to do.

Is it too late to pivot into a more blue collar job? Are there any serious hurdles into breaking into this industry? Any insight or advice is appreciated. I am really at a crossroads in my professional life.

Thanks in advance!

I don't think that the POG MOS's do, but the combat MOS's should. We are in the field a week or two usually, sometimes up to a month or longer, and we are doing physical work outside of that also. What's yalls opinions on this?

I’ve pretty much reached the role of GC. A lot of the skilled trade work I do not do however the gopher bullshit logistics, planning, bidding and estimating for material guys and so on so forth is really what I’ve taken up.

Well, I do like using my excavator and clearing shit. I’ve learned that I could be a lot more useful by sitting in the office and doing a managerial shit. I’m still having the ability to run out. Check on site bring miscellaneous tools or material to make sure that the subs or my guys are working with a positive flow.

I ’ve reached a stage where my value lies in project management rather than manual labor. While I have the tools and the background—having done the grunt work myself for years—it’s now more efficient to sub out the trades and focus on sourcing materials and logistics. Still, you can’t escape the hands-on stuff entirely; I just had to head to the shop the custom cut some pieces for two exterior door installs that obviously had unforeseen circumstances

So am I blue collar?

Like if i have 0 experience and 0 idea of what i want to do, is there a type of apprenticeship where you can just do a little bit of everything? Like electrician, plumbing, hvac, painting, etc.

Is there a job type where you literally just do everything or whatever there is to do? How did you decide which area you wanted to focus on?

I just want to spend 1 year learning everything and figure out what i want to do from there or if it's even a right fit.

I want to learn on the job btw not do trade school.