What does a day in your work life look like?
On a regular Tuesday when I have class:
- 3:30am wake up
- 4:30am leave for work
- 6:00am start
- 9:00-9:20am break
- 9:21 back to work
- 12:00pm lunch
- 3:30pm go home
Work that I do depends on who I’m working with and what job I’m on so it’s not the same all the time.
- 4:40pm eat and get backpack
- 5:20pm leave for school
- 6:00-9:00pm school
What made you start doing the amazing things that you do?
Liveable wage, having kids, enjoying what I do and learning while I get paid.
Did you complete any training? If not, how did you learn your trade/skill?
I completed a pre-apprenticeship program with Oregon Tradeswomen Inc.
What are the top five things that are always in your pockets?Knife, note pad, pen, wrench, pliers.
What are you doing when you’re not working hard?
I’m spending time with my kids.
How do you encourage other women to start doing what you do?
I speak the truth about what it’s like in the trades. I also let them know the great benefits that come with joining any trade, being a union member. The livable wage.
What does workwear designed for women mean to you?
Empowerment, because I can buy sturdy work wear for women and not have to buy men's clothing that are not made for my figure.
What did you want to be when you were growing up, or a little kid?
Not very sure what I wanted to be when I was a little kid. But, I do know that in high school, I wanted to be a Cosmetologist.
What do you have to sacrifice to be good at what you do?
Being a full time mom to my kids.
What scares you?
Having to get in a crawl space and seeing spiders and rats, or a mouse. I am not a fan!!!
Tell us something dirty.
There are so many jobs that I have done that were slightly dirty. The one that stands out was a Wilsonville [Oregon] remodel. We had to tear out old pipes and, while they do get cleaned out as much as possible of debris, there was residual and I got the best of it – scooping it out with gloves and trying not to get it on my person was the hardest part.
Check out OregonTradeswomen.com
