Do Your Research When Picking a Trade to Pursue

 

Starting on a new path in your career can be an intimidating process. You have likely spent a couple of years in a non-technical job or have determined that college is not the right choice if you recently graduated high school. At this point, if you are looking into different trade schools and career paths, you likely are already convinced that a trade career is a suitable choice for you. However, when you think about trade careers, there can be a seemingly overwhelming amount of options to choose from. Picking the right one might seem stressful, but the process will seem more straightforward if you put in the time and follow the tips below. 

 

Do your research 

 

Understanding your craft to the best of your ability is the best thing you can do as a tradesperson. What better way to get the ball rolling than researching the ins and outs of your trade before you start. What may seem like a specific type of job at first, upon further investigation, may turn out to be something you didn’t expect. Doing your research regarding the requirements for your license, typical work hours, working conditions, average pay, etc., will give you an idea regarding if it is the right job for you from the very start. To pass your exam, you will need to do a lot of studying on the subject, so you might as well choose something that interests you and that you enjoy. 

 

Shadow 

 

Shadowing is an excellent method for determining the compatibility between you and your new trade career. After doing all the research you can online, look into shadowing protection for a day. This will take you up close and personal with the typical working day and give you a more hands-on representation of what you will be doing if it is the trade you choose to pursue. Additionally, it can give you an idea of what it would be like to be an apprentice and give you a chance to talk to people already licensed and working in the trade. 

 

Talk to someone with experience 

 

Nobody will know more about the trade than someone with experience that has been working in the industry for years. If you manage to get someone to let you shadow, take advantage of the opportunity and ask all the questions you can. A good conversation with a trade professional can provide you with some valuable tips and tricks for passing your exam and maybe even help you get your foot in the door when it comes to an apprenticeship.

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