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05-01-2012, 02:15 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Utica, NY
Posts: 6
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Orientation Tomorrow!
Hey there! I have my IBEW 43 orientation tomorrow in Clay and I am so excited and also nervous! The only reason I am a bit nervous is because I am a female...I look tiny but I pack a big punch(not literally...but literally....  ). Does anyone have any advice for me as a young woman entering into what was traditionally a "man's" job? I guess I am afraid of any demeaning of my character or strength just because I am female. I'm not sure what to expect. I am really looking forward to excelling in this profession and I can not WAIT to get started learning. Any input is appreciated! Glad to be a part of this forum.
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05-01-2012, 02:22 PM
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#2
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Heavily Armed Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Fascistchusetts
Posts: 30,256
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EZ01
Hey there! I have my IBEW 43 orientation tomorrow in Clay and I am so excited and also nervous! The only reason I am a bit nervous is because I am a female...I look tiny but I pack a big punch(not literally...but literally.... ). Does anyone have any advice for me as a young woman entering into what was traditionally a "man's" job? I guess I am afraid of any demeaning of my character or strength just because I am female. I'm not sure what to expect. I am really looking forward to excelling in this profession and I can not WAIT to get started learning. Any input is appreciated! Glad to be a part of this forum. |
Good luck tommorow just be your self and don't let anyone give you any crap and you will do just fine.
Welcome to the forum and the electrical trade.. 
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05-01-2012, 03:12 PM
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#3
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Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 7
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Congratulations and good luck! My advice and opinion is that remember you are entering a male dominated workplace. Guys are going to say guy things. We're gross, crude, etc. Don't act like or talk like one of the guys and then go running to HR because a male coworker said something a little offensive. If you're going to play with the boys somethings are going to have to be left alone.
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05-01-2012, 03:14 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Vermont
Posts: 12,187
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05-01-2012, 03:20 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 532
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by EZ01
Hey there! I have my IBEW 43 orientation tomorrow in Clay and I am so excited and also nervous! The only reason I am a bit nervous is because I am a female...I look tiny but I pack a big punch(not literally...but literally.... ). Does anyone have any advice for me as a young woman entering into what was traditionally a "man's" job? I guess I am afraid of any demeaning of my character or strength just because I am female. I'm not sure what to expect. I am really looking forward to excelling in this profession and I can not WAIT to get started learning. Any input is appreciated! Glad to be a part of this forum. |
Welcome to the trade and the forum! I would suggest purchasing some books related to the field and begin reading them so you are familiar with the terms and theory behind your new trade. It will go a long way to have a general understanding so the questions you ask, which you should be asking as much as possible, will have substance to them. Number one rule is BE ON TIME. Don't complain. Do everything that is asked of you to the best of your abilities. You will make mistakes, just don't ever make them a second time. And I think for a female it is important for you to set the boundaries from day one. Guys will flirt with you and if that isn't something you want then it should be made known. If it is something you are looking forward to then be ready because you will have more than you know what to do with!
Like Harry said, just be yourself and use common sense and you will do fine! Good luck and congratulations!
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05-01-2012, 04:25 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Vermont
Posts: 12,187
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Quote:
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Guys will flirt with you and if that isn't something you want then it should be made known.
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Not from an EC's perspective Tat
we like what can move, motivate, make us look good as a company , and make us $$$
Quote:
Does anyone have any advice for me as a young woman entering into what was traditionally a "man's" job? I guess I am afraid of any demeaning of my character or strength just because I am female.
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Yes i do
being that race, religion, and/or gender is something i've had to field
don't play the gender card at all, like you're doing here
~CS~
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05-01-2012, 05:15 PM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Utica, NY
Posts: 6
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Thank you for the feedback so far. I know how some men CAN(not always of course) be and I am a person who gains respect pretty easily and gets along very well with others as long as i'm working with peers who are all there for the same reason and have the same drive. I have been brushing up on my math, gotten a couple electrical engineering books and an "Electrician training Courses" Cd rom ever since I passed my test months ago. I am completely devoted to diving into the trade. I CAN'T WAIT! Thanks again! 
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05-01-2012, 08:55 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Albany, New York
Posts: 69
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EZ01
Thank you for the feedback so far. I know how some men CAN(not always of course) be and I am a person who gains respect pretty easily and gets along very well with others as long as i'm working with peers who are all there for the same reason and have the same drive. I have been brushing up on my math, gotten a couple electrical engineering books and an "Electrician training Courses" Cd rom ever since I passed my test months ago. I am completely devoted to diving into the trade. I CAN'T WAIT! Thanks again! |
That attitude should serve you well. Congrats and welcome "sparky"
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05-01-2012, 10:03 PM
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#9
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Electricity is Amazing!
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Cornfield, NE
Posts: 829
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EZ01
Hey there! I have my IBEW 43 orientation tomorrow in Clay and I am so excited and also nervous! The only reason I am a bit nervous is because I am a female...I look tiny but I pack a big punch(not literally...but literally.... ). Does anyone have any advice for me as a young woman entering into what is traditionally a "man's" job? I guess I am afraid of any demeaning of my character or strength just because I am female. I'm not sure what to expect. I am really looking forward to excelling in this profession and I can not WAIT to get started learning. Any input is appreciated! Glad to be a part of this forum. |
Fixed for you.
And welcome to the trade. Just try and fit in. Don't take what many of the guys on the job say "to heart". Lots of talk gets said, most of it with not much meaning to it.
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05-03-2012, 09:36 PM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Utica, NY
Posts: 6
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The orientation went incredibly well! I was in a class of 10 others for that night. I am so proud, thrilled, enthusiastic about being a part of the IBEW and to be a union member. WOW! What an honor! Since I already took it upon myself to get my 10hr OSHA a few months back, I am ready to start work next week! My head is reeling!!!! 
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05-04-2012, 12:01 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 8,275
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EZ01
Does anyone have any advice for me as a young woman entering into what was traditionally a "man's" job? .
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Yes, Lose the alias "EZ01". No one will take you serious here with that name.  Not the best way to make an impression.
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05-05-2012, 11:01 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Utica, NY
Posts: 6
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John...don't be a jerk. Those are my initials.
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05-06-2012, 01:34 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 532
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by EZ01
John...don't be a jerk. Those are my initials.
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This made me laugh
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05-06-2012, 04:25 PM
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#14
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Coffee drinking member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: IL
Posts: 6,213
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Welcome to a great forum site.
Good luck and study hard.
It's a great job and beats being stuck in an office al day.
Like others have said, just be yourself and beyond the normal new guy kidding you'll get, don't take any abuse from anyone. I've seen it many times over the years were people have to comment about the "girl" on the job.
I always have treated everyone the same regardless of who they are.
BTW, coffee black & a raspberry filled jelly donut with powered sugar at break time for me please. :-)
<just kidding>
__________________
Teacher, my brain is full... Can I go home now?
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