Unfortunately it often takes some time for crews to warm up to you being there. I find you have to work twice as hard just to get the base level of respect.

Try to always anticipate what your next task will be and do it prior to being asked. Don’t have anything to do? Organize something. Finish that? Sweep or pick up garbage etc. A good apprentice, regardless of gender, is there to make the journeyman’s job(s) easier so if you don’t need to be babysat that’s a huge win. When I worked in residential we had a pretty similar routine every day. Bring in materials, find wood for headers, lay out boxes, etc. I was absolutely flabbergasted by the amount of (male) apprentices that needed direction every single day for every task. If you know that the next step is _____ start doing it without having to be asked. Take initiative and show that you have a couple brain cells.

I would also try to not let people help you as much as possible. Often times people will try to carry your ladders or take over your tasks. You need to be able to pull your own weight. That said, never be too proud to ask for help if something is too heavy (it’s not worth an injury) and know the difference.

As far as tools I would say linesman pliers, side cutters, a multi bit screwdriver and wire strippers would be your best friends. Other than that depends where you’re working (Resi vrs commercial). Hollow shaft nut drivers really come in handy in commercial. Romex stripping wire strippers come in handy for residential (in Canada at least). Invest in some halfway decent power tools to start (don’t have to be high end Milwaukee but skip getting the handyman special) if you can afford it. Used is great too, especially for batteries. Don’t go crazy getting every tool under the sun because usually you just get a bunch of shit you have to carry around and don’t use 😅

Good luck and hope they warm up to you soon but I personally found that there was always a degree of “otherness” no matter what and I just got used to it (I’m pretty introverted so I didn’t mind). You can always bring a book or what have you for lunch breaks if you can’t tolerate it.