Everyone Is a Brother or Sister

“I always try to use leverage or a crane to help me get the job done.”

Sometimes it’s tough to keep up with the crew. When I first started as a millwright apprentice, I wanted to show that I wasn’t there to play around and that I didn’t want any "special treatment.” I wanted to learn, work and just be “one of the guys.”

I made sure to sweep the shop, prep jobs, and ask lots of questions. When it came to the bigger/heavier jobs, I would always ask if I could give it a try, knowing that it wasn’t gonna be easy. Sometimes I had to give it ALL I had in me to lift a liner and pass it to the guys so they can bolt it down. Holding tools in an awkward position can get heavy on the arms real quick.

There are days I come home from my shift exhausted, and it’s all I can do to eat supper, pack my lunch and get to bed — just to restart the next morning. I have lots of respect for my crew. They make it look so easy! But, from me not giving up and pushing through the pain and sweat, the guys developed A LOT of respect for me. To the point where they request me on certain jobs or back me up if someone is giving me a hard time.

I’ve learned that if you work together with a good attitude, everything will work out in the end. My one partner would always tell me that there is a role for everyone; we just need to know how to work together. As long as I kept trying, keeping up with the guys became easier and easier every day, and I found new ways of doing a job that was best for me. I always try to use leverage or a crane to help me get the job done.

For the future girlies, being a millwright is all about teamwork. We do everything together. As long as we are willing to work, willing to learn and come to work with the right attitude, you will love it. Even for me somedays, we can have real hard, unpleasant jobs to do. But as long as you have a good crew, the job will fly by, and you’ll still have an awesome day filled with laughter and comradery.

The trades aren't as scary as you think. Yes, there’s a lot that's happening at once but you adapt to it. Choosing to work in this field was the best decision I’ve ever made. It’s such a different environment from the real world. Everyone is a brother or sister. You’ll never get bored in the trades. You’ll be learning new tricks and meeting new people until the day you retire.

Never give up!

About the author: Jessica Duquette was raised on a farm in a mining community in Northern Ontario. An ambassador with KickAss Careers, she is very excited to finish her apprenticeship, become a Red Seal Industrial Millwright Mechanic and share her story to motivate others who are looking for career success as well.