r/bluecollar

I've been in IT for about 5-6 years now, have undergrad in CompSci and masters in Quant. I have couple of side projects and a pretty stable job in a Sillicon Valley company. Looking at how world is moving, how tech is evolving and how AI is advancing, I am considering switching to some physical work, like carpentry.

Has anyone of you done sth like this - started a physical job as a side project/side hustle that actually then evolved into more profitable thing?

What are some jobs where you make over $100k that only require trade school?

Hello your girl needs an opinion from workers that established in their careers- Aerospace welding, electrical, and the very niche field BMET (biomedical engineering technician where you work on hospital equipment).

Sorry I know I post here a lot but I’m just someone who is always curious and questioning my life choices. Basically had a talk with my dad today, told him that college is kicking my ass and that maybe I’m not cut out for it. Not cause I’m not smart but because it’s just not for me. I currently work in the car industry at a small body shop kinda just fucking around and finding out. I’m 22 so I’m still pretty young but I’m trying to lock in.

Basically, dad brought up some stuff I should possibly look into since he dropped the bomb on me that I’m just wired for the trades, just like him, my grandpa and great uncle etc. Anyways, my dad brought up BMET- which you work on hospital equipment, he said it’s a pretty niche field but I’ll have to relocate for apprenticeships which he offered to help me with. Since the field is so niche I have better chances of having a long term career- second thing he brought up was ATDM, which is a training center in north Virginia that trains people in welding, CNC matching, etc. to work on military equipment cause there’s a big market for weapons right now. My only gripe is that- I have to live in Virginia for 4 months, and probably move to a different state and be in a 2 year contract working for one of its sponsored companies. The companies consist of Lockheed Martin etc.

Not a bad gig, could possibly end up back in Texas. Worst case scenario I work in a different state for 2 years and come back to Texas after. Then my last choice is becoming an electrician, I already have my Texas electrician apprenticeship license. My issue is that I’m in DFW Texas and due to Texas being a right to work state we don’t have many unions. However, I would still be able to stay with my friends and family. My family is very small so it’s important I spend lots of time with them, but also it would be nice to live somewhere other than Texas ya know.

I’m pretty good at welding as well but idk I have so many good options I’m just unsure which could bring me more job security.

I’ve worked in the automotive industry for a year now and it’s not getting me anywhere. I need to jump ship. In the past I got my MMC and TWIC card to be a merchant seafarer but I’ve only had two interviews and two rejections for it.

I recently made a post for help on finding work union or not. I got my osha-10, lockout/tagout, and cpr certification. I’ve contacted every non-union contractor I could. I’ve tried talking to some union contractors as well and I keep pestering people with emails hoping for a chance to be a helper. I live in the Chicago area so I know competition is high and I’ve applied to IBEW and a few other unions. I’m 18 with no experience, anyone have anymore advice for me on what I can do now? I’m just looking for a shot. And if anyone knows anywhere that’s hiring let me know. Thanks.

So I’m currently working as a steel wire drawer getting paid $27 a hour. I’m 21 is this decent for this feild?

Long builds seem to get harder when the easy answer is always “finish this one section first,” and suddenly three hours pass without much position change. Switching tasks occasionally sounds slower but may make the whole day easier to sustain.

People doing shop work full time, what break or task rotation habit keeps the last few hours from feeling completely different from the first few?

I’ve tried twice had two interviews already and no luck at all and thats with a trade school certificate in residential and commercial which idk if it has even any value but I sure did learn a few things. I earned my osha 10, NCCER, Fall & Safety, CPR luckily I went through with it for free, and then immediately started working with as industrial electrician as an helper and I can confidently say I am doing way too much work well above my pay but dont get me wrong I have learned a ton and can confidently out work some journeyman Its shocks me sometimes how close minded there is absolutely no reason for a 2 year helper tell a journeyman how to do things and there work ethic horrible ofc this doesn’t apply to all but I’ve seen my fair share of them and wow im surprised they made it this far as a career, but now Im not too sure what I want. I love the trade but if this is how its going to be, I sure do not want it. I rarely get the recognition I deserve, Im always on time, rarely ever miss work since I get paid so bad at the same rate since I started I cant even afford to miss work so Im just stuck here I need some advice what should I do and go about this please.

Ive never had acne much until recently, when I started getting acne likely due to the high stress ive been experiencing for the past month (I get married next weekend). Anyways, I started my job as a shop technician for a drill bit company, and I am constantly covered in dirt, dust, grease, etc. My skin is getting worse by the minute and Ive accepted unfortunately I will probably look gross on my wedding day because of it. But, what do I do? I look dirty and like I dont take care of myself. I wash my face every day after work but nothing changes. My fiance works outside as a line locater and his skin is clear without even washing it 😫

Anyone who has any tips pls let me know. Im running out of ideas.

So, I’ve been blue collar all my life. Used to think it was great…. All that Overtime money when I was young. Now, I’m 42 and I used up my last bit of vacation this week to help my uncle combine corn. Nobody tells you when you are young that blue collar life gets tough when you start to get old. Went from fun times, a small house and a truck when I was 21 on top of the world to the same small house that’s needs a ton of work I don’t have time or money for, another old truck and lower back pain every night. WTF? I think we were all lied to 😂

Hi, I’m M20 and I’m looking into pursuing electrical in my future, is this still something good to get into or is it over saturated and under paid. I see mixed options some saying pays trash not as good as what people say and others saying it’s easy to clear 100k a year once your done your apprenticeship and a journeyman. I would like options and guidance from you professionals out there thank you :).

Im an Industrial Electrical Helper and I started this job getting paid 18hr its been 2 1/2 years of doing the dirty work for the “Electricians” that are in reality 10+ years of glorified helpers since no one in reality have been through an apprenticeship, and since Im one of the youngest guys I want to do the apprenticeship to earn my license but I will not settle doing the drive on the same rate. I have already interviewed with the union but no luck what do I do i feel so lost here and i have tried other places and nothing as of yet, definitely been seeing those data center jobs but every response I get is that they are over saturated right now with a ton of helpers

I’ve been working in the trades ever since I got out of the Navy in 2020. Currently I work in the telecom field and our projects include lifting and manipulating heavy batteries into battery backup systems for Comcast internet. The lithium batteries are 30lbs each and there’s 50 of them per cabinet. Lead acid has 3 or 6 each and are 80lbs each where sometimes I have to install them in aerial cabinets from a bucket. Lastly we have the heaviest batteries, thin plate pure lead batteries or TPPL and these are 150lbs each. I’ve been doing this job since June 22nd and I’ve been having a hard time coping with body recovery. What are some healthy habits or suggestions that any of you would suggest I do to help my body recover faster from day to day. I currently just try to eat a lot, hydrate and stretch.

I want to start off by saying I have the most respect for blue collar workers. You guys work hours upon hours to keep society moving.

I see the pay for jobs in your field and I’m starting to lean more and more to becoming a member of it too so I can be proactive and save up money before my girlfriend and I start a family.

That being said, I don’t want to risk my physical well being to make said money. I hear so many stories about blue collar workers making the big bucks but paying the cost of joint pain, mental health problems, never seeing their kids, etc.

What job or jobs have a decent safety/pay ratio?

Perhaps a bizarre request, but I'm looking for men's work pants that are baggy enough to hide a big butt. Even pants that are a few sizes above my waist size completely fill out the acreage in the back. Surprising amount of creepy old fruitcakes in construction, and I'd like to deter any attention to that area. Any suggestions?

I’m 18 and from Chicago and I wanna get into the trades, preferably hvac, carpentry, electrical or plumbing. I’ve been applying to and trying to get into locals but I’ve heard the wait times can be long and I get no calls back. I’m willing to do anything to get into some type of work or experience union or non union. I’m gonna keep applying to places and if all else fails I’m already enrolled into hire360 but I want more. Any advice on what else I can be doing to be more proactive and get a job somewhere?

Has any of you trade guys actually tried the tradesman nutrition weight loss help that's called shred. I've heard it all over on my tiktok and Facebook does it actually work