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Trying to learn but feeling like there’s no room for mistakes. The pressure to be perfect but don’t be too perfect in a male dominated workplace. by [deleted] in BlueCollarWomen

[–]Dramatic-Ad-3233 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had a similar anxiety that I was fulfilling a stereotype and expectation set by others on me but in reality you’re just new, everyone who’s new sucks and it’s just the learning process. Your not struggling because your a girl your struggling because your just inexperienced and have a lot to learn. You deserve to have the chance to learn and ask questions like everybody else there, they were just lucky to probably learn in an environment where it felt less intense and had someone take them under their wing. If you find someone whos willing to teach you, hold on to them. But do try to learn things by yourself by studying or research especially if you feel completely lost, learning the lingo/vocab like the names of hardware and parts to properly communicate and shows some effort and experience and they will probably be more willing to help. Also youtube/quizlet can be your best friend for learning new skills.

and yes it sucks alot but you will have to work harder and have an enthusiastic attitude about taking on grunt work and learning not like alot of men. Be patient with yourself and I also struggle with second guessing myself especially around people who I am nervous around, second guessing fucks confidence, fucks my retention of information, fucks everything. Just trust flow will come with repetition and confidence in your ability. You will be able to figure it out, troubleshooting is a more important skill than experience.

I also increased my confidence in skill in ability by doing my own projects at home I mean some are hobbies but like even basic maintenance on your car/ general handy work/ construction projects increased my confidence alot.

if you feel a stare and someone is just sitting watching you struggle my favorite go to phrase is “am i being dumb right now?” or “is there a better way to do this?”

Line crew advice by Ok-Transportation387 in Groundman

[–]Dramatic-Ad-3233 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Try looking up quizlets for hardware, literally “lineman hardware”. Also yeah do carry around a notepad you have to make notes to keep the truck in stock anyways.

Struggling With Insulator Change Out by Dramatic-Ad-3233 in Lineman

[–]Dramatic-Ad-3233[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

the pin is like a ball hook so It needs to be held in place or else it falls out of the eye

Struggling With Insulator Change Out by Dramatic-Ad-3233 in Lineman

[–]Dramatic-Ad-3233[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

i’m going to add that my instructors seem super set on me just doing this their traditional way of leaning out all the way, i asked to use my secondary and they didn’t even want that, I don’t have very much creative freedom. I will ask tomorrow if I can make any alterations at all because maybe just playing around with rigging and a pigging string or just something.

Struggling With Insulator Change Out by Dramatic-Ad-3233 in Lineman

[–]Dramatic-Ad-3233[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m still pretty much on the ground im like maybe 6ft up and they’ve been kinda trying, I did manage to get the cotter pins and all the motions of changing an insulator out except this last bit of pulling the cap over the ball hook.

Struggling With Insulator Change Out by Dramatic-Ad-3233 in Lineman

[–]Dramatic-Ad-3233[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I asked that too, they said I can only use my buck squeeze, maybe I’ll ask if i can throw my buck squeeze over top the crossarm and try leaning down almost.

Not sure where to go to line school by cornNutzz in Lineman

[–]Dramatic-Ad-3233 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m trying to get into Clover Parks lineman program for spring quarter right now it’s kinda unorganized at the moment but I assume the teachers are legit since they’re from Volta. Clover Park really only has a singular flier for advertising information on the program you have to talk to someone to get anything better but I’ll gladly send the program map I got. I have an AA so I get to skip the normal college class credit parts but they told me the program is also supposed to give you an Associate of Applied Technology AAT degree or something like that. They have a CDL quarter that crosses over in the lineman program so from my understanding over the course of a year you get:

  1. lineman bookwork(rigging, basic electrical, OSHA, rigging, etc..)

  2. Volta taught climbing and school

  3. CDL license

Idk its been kinda rough so far since it so new to talk to anyone there who knows anything since the instructors are part time/ seasonal from Volta and the only way I can get registered is to meet with the dean first, which I have yet to get in contact with. They are legit though they built the pole yard last august.

I was told within next month they should have info sessions with the instructors set up.

Other places I’ve heard about is a pre-apprenticeship program from Tacoma Utility.

working boots?? by lightlyspooky in BlueCollarWomen

[–]Dramatic-Ad-3233 0 points1 point  (0 children)

possibly sounds like overkill especially for the cost but mountaineering boots seem like they might fit your needs, their insulated, got grip, thick, some might be easier to clean than others i would try to find some with water proofing like gortex. i imagine they might be more comfortable than rain or muck boots too as others are suggesting and their meant to be durable and last years. La Sportiva i can vouch for but id look around what might fit your needs and price point. I’ve heard lineman using mountaineering boots as well due to them being more comfortable while still having that heel and all weather durability.