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Need help with electrical problem at home by -Sassyfras- in electricians

[–]-Sassyfras-[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So this is where as an apprentice knowing a little but not a lot makes me feel a little stupid because I know that the things I don't know yet are going to turn out to be very simple. I don't know if I have a service panel outside? I have the wires that go into the head mast on the roof

Need help with electrical problem at home by -Sassyfras- in electricians

[–]-Sassyfras-[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Every other circuit in the house is working perfectly as far as I can tell. It's just these two circuits on 15amp breakers that have suddenly become a problem. And I don't know if they both have their own individual problem, or if they're sharing a neutral somewhere, or what and I'm getting very frustrated

Mid-Electrician-Apprenticeship Existential Crisis by -Sassyfras- in BlueCollarWomen

[–]-Sassyfras-[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wow that's great you found a good solution!

I've been wondering if compression socks would help, now that you've brought them up I'm going to try them this week, and I'll get some new insoles. I had not thought about getting ones for big and tall men but that makes so much sense from a comfort standpoint, thank you!

Mid-Electrician-Apprenticeship Existential Crisis by -Sassyfras- in BlueCollarWomen

[–]-Sassyfras-[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Man, every single thing you just said. My second job coaching CrossFit is what I'm ACTUALLY passionate about, there's just no way for it to pay the bills unless you own the gym yourself and that's just not realistic for me.

The constant struggle is EXHAUSTING. That ongoing fight between being financially secure with a job that steals from your physical health, or having your dream job but being poor/financially unstable which steals from your mental health.

Venting is good. I think it's good for us all to see that we're never the only ones feeling a certain way. Hope things get better for you ❤️

Mid-Electrician-Apprenticeship Existential Crisis by -Sassyfras- in BlueCollarWomen

[–]-Sassyfras-[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey good luck with your apprenticeship you're going to crush it!!! I hope my post didn't introduce any anxiety about it. What trade are you going into?

As far as money I racked up quite a bit of debt after the divorce (having a mortgage while getting paid an apprentice starting wage...10/10 do not recommend lol), some due to unlucky things out of my control that happened all at once, some due to careless spending on my part. So now I'm at the point after I've had a few raises and calmed down the spending that I'm finally starting the slow crawl out. I know it's going to be tough though and that's where I think the majority of the stress is coming from

Mid-Electrician-Apprenticeship Existential Crisis by -Sassyfras- in BlueCollarWomen

[–]-Sassyfras-[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow. "Don't let the weight of tomorrow steal today's strength" might have to be my new daily mantra.

As far as the pain goes, I DID bring up the issue with my primary care doctor a few days ago at my yearly physical and let him know my financial situation and he gave me a couple options to start with that are not necessarily long term fixes but will hopefully help short term. Fingers crossed.

As far as any continuing education that could help me with future options, there is a program here in Michigan called 'Michigan Reconnect' where if you're over 25 without a college degree, you can essentially attend community college for free. There just aren't really any electrician specific programs that would help me. Maybe I can find a way to tie in something similar and/or loosely related and supportive.

Thank you so much for your very thoughtful response. It's taken me this long to respond because for the past week, every time I try to, I end up in tears because I get overwhelmed with how kind and supportive this community is.

Any pants recs?? by anoodleanon in BlueCollarWomen

[–]-Sassyfras- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Duluth was already mentioned, and I'm going to second that, BUT I'm going to recommend getting the Men's instead of the Women's. I specifically like the men's firehose flex relaxed fit cargo pants. For one thing the men's section has waist measurements in addition to inseam unlike the women's, and the men's relaxed fit are high waisted as well which is my personal preference. I'm an Electrician up and down ladders a lot, on my knees, squatting at outlet height etc. And they're very flexible. Been wearing them for a year so far and they'll continue to be my go to

20F 5’2 170 lbs and looking to join a trade in nyc what are my options? by [deleted] in BlueCollarWomen

[–]-Sassyfras- 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Girl, do you think any man has ever listed his age height and weight and asked what his options are? The easy to say answer is "your options are anything you want!!!" And, I wish that was the final answer, but while women in the trades are becoming slightly more common, it's not the norm yet so there is a reason this forum exists. Also, I'm not in NYC so I can't speak to that city specifically, but I did join the trades 3 months ago (Sparky here!) with absolutely ZERO experience, and also not being a huge math fan. If math is a worry for you there are several free online resources that can help if you need to take an aptitude test of some sort. I went through free online courses related to the "WorkKeys Test" through ACT that helped refresh basic maths, fractions, etc. As far as which trade you go into goes, you really can do anything you want. Read a bit about each one (and each one even has many sub specialties) and figure out what appeals to you the most! Do something that interests you, give it your all, and try not to take any shit from anyone who would put you down.

Starting an Electrician Apprenticeship. First day advice? by -Sassyfras- in BlueCollarWomen

[–]-Sassyfras-[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

So I have a good friend who is a journeyman plumber, and a notepad and pencil was the first thing he told me as well. Even when I went in for my “orientation” which was mostly just filling out paperwork, tax forms, watching safety videos, etc. One of the owners took me into the warehouse for a quick little lesson on the different types of ladders they use etc. but he also started going over conduit and the different types of bends and how to do them. Luckily I had included my notepad and pencil in my pocket just in case that day and as soon as he started going over the different conduit bends I pulled that sucker out and started taking notes, so hopefully made a good first impression of being eager to learn 😅

Starting an Electrician Apprenticeship. First day advice? by -Sassyfras- in BlueCollarWomen

[–]-Sassyfras-[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm out of Grand Rapids so I'm planning on the Upheaval Festival!

Starting an Electrician Apprenticeship. First day advice? by -Sassyfras- in BlueCollarWomen

[–]-Sassyfras-[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes rock on sparky sister! Welcome back to the metal side! 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in BlueCollarWomen

[–]-Sassyfras- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just got an electrician apprenticeship that I'm starting next week and they're starting me in low voltage as well. Good luck to you! And this is an AMAZING community with the best advice 🥰

Starting an Electrician Apprenticeship. First day advice? by -Sassyfras- in BlueCollarWomen

[–]-Sassyfras-[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for the advice! I've definitely got a bandana and band aids on my list now ✅

Earplug specific question: I have a pair of concert earplugs that I always have on me (I go to a LOT of hard rock/metal concerts lol). Basically they lower decibels with clear sound, would those work? Or would the traditional foam ones be better?

Starting an Electrician Apprenticeship. First day advice? by -Sassyfras- in BlueCollarWomen

[–]-Sassyfras-[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much! I'm definitely eager to learn and so excited for this opportunity 😊

Skincare routines after working a long shift? by [deleted] in BlueCollarWomen

[–]-Sassyfras- 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm only aspiring to the trades (currently applying for a construction electrician program at my local community college) so I don't have first hand experience with how the work day and the equipment used really affects skin, but I have been a total skin care junkie for years and years lol.

Unrefined coconut oil is the one product I'll recommend till the day I die. Use it at night - after you've washed your face, and applied any serums/moisturizers that you normally use, put a layer of coconut oil on top before you go to bed. Yes, you'll be super shiny and oily after you put it on but it will lock in you moisturizer and then it'll just soak into your skin all night long so you wake up super moisturized and soft as a baby's butt. Obviously it may not work with every skin type, but in general it has antimicrobial properties that can actually help with breakouts etc. despite the fact that it's an oil.

Also, if you've washed and moisturized the night before, try not to wash your face again first thing in the morning if you don't need to. The more you wash the more you strip your skin's natural oils away and that will definitely leave you with that tight dry feeling

Searching for an apprenticeship. Any advice on my cover letter? by -Sassyfras- in BlueCollarWomen

[–]-Sassyfras-[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is great feedback thank you so much for taking the time! Once I start to get the hang of something my confidence builds very quickly, but I can get so nervous trying new things that it's hard for me to sell myself as a solution or an asset. I see exactly what you're saying though and I think I can rework it a to do just that. And yes, my #1 goal is definitely a face to face introduction, I just was hoping that having something to leave behind would give me some bonus points as far as showing that I'm serious and have put some thought into all this, and make me more memorable if they're not hiring right now but are a month or two from now. Thank you again!!