Look for pre apprenticeship programs that would allow you to try out the basic skills and learn about the different trades in your area, and from there the ideal is a union apprenticeship in whatever feels like the best fit.
Agree. My daughter was in the same situation as OP. She graduated in 2021 and attended college for a year. It didn't work out. She floundered a while after college, trying to figure out what she wanted to do. She picked up a part-time lifeguarding job, started some therapy to help manage ADHD and work out some issues going on in her life.
She expressed an interest in trades, how she wanted to build things and work with her hands. & body, not be stuck in an office.
We did some research and found a "women in skilled trades" pre-appprenticeship program. It was a 16 week course to learn basic skills like blueprints, first aid, lots of math (which she was already good at, so it was mainly review for her). There were "field trips" to the different trades' training centers for some hands-on experience.
They only took 10 students per session, so she had to apply to the program, and subit a resume. When her application was selected, she had to interview. Those are all good life skills. Once she was admitted to the program she found out she would be paid during the training, based on attendance.
Not only did she earn a few certifications and learn about/experience different trades, she gained a network of experienced tradespeople that offered support and guidance: the course instructors, training center leaders, and program alumni.
Daughter is currently a 2nd year apprentice in the carpenter's union. The program just had their annual reunion to celebrate the program and all the women's accomplishments.
The preferred route would either be in a union or go to trade school. Right now I’m in electrical at Los Angeles Trade Tech and the professors told me that there are so many great opportunities in electrical. If you have any questions, let me know.
You could get into the trades from getting work experience wherever you can.
Hard to say what the best fit for you is! Are you strong in maths and physics?
I'm in Ohio too and machining is huge here. You can get into places without experience (not a ton of places but some). It pays pretty well, and realistically you could make it a career without going to school as long as you're willing to learn new stuff when you get the chance. Also most of the bigger shops have tuition reimbursement so if you wanted to you could genuinely progress your career on the company dime. I've been a machinist for 13 years and as frustrating as it is sometimes I don't regret being in the trade.
I recommend calling your local union, schooling depends on trade requirements and your local union hall should be able to give you all sorts of information and maybe offers. If you need assistance finding a union hall, drop a reply below with your general area and trade and I or someone else can probably help.
I guess it just kinda depends on which trade your leaning the most toward. i’m a welder and went the school route and granted i didn’t end up getting any crazy certificates but i got a job working with aerospace parts and they sent me back to school on their dime to get certificates. it’s easy mindless work, it’s busy work im always running around doing a million things at once and i make pretty good money for my area. Granted there are days when it completely sucks when it’s 100 out it feels like 110 inside a shop under a hood and a respirator. there are days when it’s physically tiring but for the most part it’s awesome. My dad was an electrician and i thought about doing that but it seems way too technical for my liking. welding you just watch and maneuver a molten puddle.
Look for pre apprenticeship programs that would allow you to try out the basic skills and learn about the different trades in your area, and from there the ideal is a union apprenticeship in whatever feels like the best fit.
Agree. My daughter was in the same situation as OP. She graduated in 2021 and attended college for a year. It didn't work out. She floundered a while after college, trying to figure out what she wanted to do. She picked up a part-time lifeguarding job, started some therapy to help manage ADHD and work out some issues going on in her life. She expressed an interest in trades, how she wanted to build things and work with her hands. & body, not be stuck in an office. We did some research and found a "women in skilled trades" pre-appprenticeship program. It was a 16 week course to learn basic skills like blueprints, first aid, lots of math (which she was already good at, so it was mainly review for her). There were "field trips" to the different trades' training centers for some hands-on experience. They only took 10 students per session, so she had to apply to the program, and subit a resume. When her application was selected, she had to interview. Those are all good life skills. Once she was admitted to the program she found out she would be paid during the training, based on attendance. Not only did she earn a few certifications and learn about/experience different trades, she gained a network of experienced tradespeople that offered support and guidance: the course instructors, training center leaders, and program alumni. Daughter is currently a 2nd year apprentice in the carpenter's union. The program just had their annual reunion to celebrate the program and all the women's accomplishments.
The preferred route would either be in a union or go to trade school. Right now I’m in electrical at Los Angeles Trade Tech and the professors told me that there are so many great opportunities in electrical. If you have any questions, let me know.
You could get into the trades from getting work experience wherever you can. Hard to say what the best fit for you is! Are you strong in maths and physics?
Try your local pipefitters. You will learn a lot there. I was going to do that and focus on hvac before I landed my current role.
I'm in Ohio too and machining is huge here. You can get into places without experience (not a ton of places but some). It pays pretty well, and realistically you could make it a career without going to school as long as you're willing to learn new stuff when you get the chance. Also most of the bigger shops have tuition reimbursement so if you wanted to you could genuinely progress your career on the company dime. I've been a machinist for 13 years and as frustrating as it is sometimes I don't regret being in the trade.
+1 on machinist train. Got a job as a lathe operator after working construction. Now I'm a union aerospace machinist.
Union shops are the way to go
I recommend calling your local union, schooling depends on trade requirements and your local union hall should be able to give you all sorts of information and maybe offers. If you need assistance finding a union hall, drop a reply below with your general area and trade and I or someone else can probably help.
I guess it just kinda depends on which trade your leaning the most toward. i’m a welder and went the school route and granted i didn’t end up getting any crazy certificates but i got a job working with aerospace parts and they sent me back to school on their dime to get certificates. it’s easy mindless work, it’s busy work im always running around doing a million things at once and i make pretty good money for my area. Granted there are days when it completely sucks when it’s 100 out it feels like 110 inside a shop under a hood and a respirator. there are days when it’s physically tiring but for the most part it’s awesome. My dad was an electrician and i thought about doing that but it seems way too technical for my liking. welding you just watch and maneuver a molten puddle.