Great story. My nephew did someting like this, he dropped out of college after two years and is now an electrician, making very good money. Getting into a Trade is a great career path for many and AI will not displace your brother's or my nephew's job.
Thanks, Scott. I agree - the world will always need a plumber, an electrician, a mason. They are rarely out of work. AI is an entirely different option. But only one option.
Uplifting sentiment! It' springtime for Harper, narrowly avoiding an uninspiring, thankless, 30 year career. Get out while you're young and re-invent yourself!
I like the fact that Harper is a young woman (You waited till the end to tell us) exploring a non-traditional path.
Also, love the finches. Haven't seen any around here for a while--the mockingbirds have taken over.
Those hooligan mockers! They even chase the crows and gulls. They have no fear. The small finches and sparrows dart in and out very quickly so as not to be seen. Glad you liked the Harper story. I myself was a dental lab tech for 10 years before I came to my senses and realized how much I hated being stuck in that lab all day, every day. Went on to a 20-year career in eduction which I loved!
Those male finches with their bright orange and red breasts! They sing all day long. A couple of sparrows, too. They like to be in the eaves of the carport. Safe and dry. Come fall, I have to hire someone to clean out all the abandoned nests that clog up the rain drains!
When I once quit a stressful office job and went into academia to being a master's degree, I found that it too had its own squabbling professors and infighting. I realized then that I was only trading one similar arena for another for the simple fact that humans are the same everywhere....!
Oh yes, the academic scene can be brutal, I can testify to that, Linda. Professional jealousy, especially in a competitive, tenured situation can be bad. Harper may find that the best part of her new chosen work is the physicality of it and the outdoor setting. Possibly just as many conflicts arise. Who knows?
Bravo for the courage to change your “career” path. But toughen your skin as a woman in a blue-collar profession. I worked a “trade” job (airline ramp employee) for 27 years. I used to volunteer to train the new women because most of the guys wouldn’t or gave them a hard time. Plus the women I trained at always ended up the hardest workers. Which benefited me. I didn’t like working with lazy people.
Of course, attitudes and behavior could be different now. I hope so, anyway.
Thanks so much for sharing this, Mark! And good for you for stepping up in your career. I am sure your women trainees appreciated the equal treatment - and remembered it! As far as changing attitudes and behaviors these days? The verdict is still out.
I think both my little stories this morning were about rather bold women. Not sure where that came from. I , myself, USED to be bold, but not any more. Maybe there are still a few spirited remnants left. Thanks Heather, for your comments!
I hated working in an office - it was too confining . I went back to school and became a psychologist which led to years of a rewarding career even after retirement. I agree with Linda, though, there was squabbling, in-fighting, and pettiness there as well.
Well, yes. It is human nature, I guess. There are those who squabble and those who acquiesce. Those who think they are "agents of change" and those who are peacemakers. On my teaching staff there were 12 teachers. Ten were such dedicated, delightful human beings. The other two always wanted to make things difficult. We learned to work with them.
I love the sentiment of this story! Great stuff, Sharron! Trades are incredibly undervalued. This story reminds me of one of my former students, a girl, who is going to kick some serious tail in the field of mechanics. She’s so bold...can’t wait to see what she does as her future unfolds.
I wonder if she will focus on the mechanics aspect, rather than just simply the tech aspect? ie: The people who call themselves "mechanics" at the Toyota dealership here in my town, are really technicians - they can't / don't FIX anything! They have electronic diagnostic devices that tell them which part to REPLACE. And if that doesn't do the trick, they will replace something else. No repairing of any kind. Rip it out, throw it away. Done! My boy says a plumber is never out of work. And he is right.
Oh no, she’s the real deal. She’s a tinkerer. Oil-stained fingers, likes hanging out under the hood of a car. Love that she’s completely bucking the trend!
Please tell her I am impressed. She is paying attention to her future. Once you have a trade and you are good at it, you can try ANYTHING as you will always have a place to fall back if necessary. Good girl!
Love this story! In the 1980’s, I began a career in a predominantly male trade, in a newspaper mailroom, and learned on the job. For the most part, I was respected as an equal, though there were some who thought it wasn’t “woman’s work.” A Union job, great pay, benefits, and decent working conditions. I don’t think I would have done any better in a desk job. These days , I’m a happy Teamster retiree!
Oh yes! The key word: retired! Yay! You put in a lot of years. Now you can sit on your porch in Porter Gulch every morning, drinking coffee and watching the deer, squirrels, wild turkeys in your yard. Such a pleasure. And well - earned.
Yes. Forklifts are fun. Training to drive a semi, I learned to stack three empty flatbeds on top of each other, on top of the one I'd drive away. Balance )). Chain 'em. Drive 'em to Mexico. I was 1 woman of 115 men in that class. 10 made it thru, including me. 30 years ago. There's more women drivers now. We're good at it. First 6 months I drove through all the joined states, Canada and Mexico. Loved it.
A thoughtful story about career choice. I didn't know that Harper is a female name (google says it used to be both male and female), so for me there was a surprise upon reaching the penultimate word "her." I guess the dedication predisposed me to think that the story was going to be about a man. I enjoyed it!
Great story. My nephew did someting like this, he dropped out of college after two years and is now an electrician, making very good money. Getting into a Trade is a great career path for many and AI will not displace your brother's or my nephew's job.
OK, I will climb off of my soapbox now.
So right. That's a great soapbox. 👍
Thanks, Scott. I agree - the world will always need a plumber, an electrician, a mason. They are rarely out of work. AI is an entirely different option. But only one option.
Uplifting sentiment! It' springtime for Harper, narrowly avoiding an uninspiring, thankless, 30 year career. Get out while you're young and re-invent yourself!
I like the fact that Harper is a young woman (You waited till the end to tell us) exploring a non-traditional path.
Also, love the finches. Haven't seen any around here for a while--the mockingbirds have taken over.
Nicely done Sharron.
Those hooligan mockers! They even chase the crows and gulls. They have no fear. The small finches and sparrows dart in and out very quickly so as not to be seen. Glad you liked the Harper story. I myself was a dental lab tech for 10 years before I came to my senses and realized how much I hated being stuck in that lab all day, every day. Went on to a 20-year career in eduction which I loved!
Good for Harper! Wish I had done the same. The finches are building their nests here also.
Those male finches with their bright orange and red breasts! They sing all day long. A couple of sparrows, too. They like to be in the eaves of the carport. Safe and dry. Come fall, I have to hire someone to clean out all the abandoned nests that clog up the rain drains!
Go, Harper! 😊
Brave woman!
When I once quit a stressful office job and went into academia to being a master's degree, I found that it too had its own squabbling professors and infighting. I realized then that I was only trading one similar arena for another for the simple fact that humans are the same everywhere....!
Oh yes, the academic scene can be brutal, I can testify to that, Linda. Professional jealousy, especially in a competitive, tenured situation can be bad. Harper may find that the best part of her new chosen work is the physicality of it and the outdoor setting. Possibly just as many conflicts arise. Who knows?
Bravo for the courage to change your “career” path. But toughen your skin as a woman in a blue-collar profession. I worked a “trade” job (airline ramp employee) for 27 years. I used to volunteer to train the new women because most of the guys wouldn’t or gave them a hard time. Plus the women I trained at always ended up the hardest workers. Which benefited me. I didn’t like working with lazy people.
Of course, attitudes and behavior could be different now. I hope so, anyway.
Thanks so much for sharing this, Mark! And good for you for stepping up in your career. I am sure your women trainees appreciated the equal treatment - and remembered it! As far as changing attitudes and behaviors these days? The verdict is still out.
Very clever use of a non-gender specific name....Harper! Love the twist at the end.
I think both my little stories this morning were about rather bold women. Not sure where that came from. I , myself, USED to be bold, but not any more. Maybe there are still a few spirited remnants left. Thanks Heather, for your comments!
Your writing is very bold, Sharron.
I strive for BOLD! I don't always get there. ha ha ha
I hated working in an office - it was too confining . I went back to school and became a psychologist which led to years of a rewarding career even after retirement. I agree with Linda, though, there was squabbling, in-fighting, and pettiness there as well.
Well, yes. It is human nature, I guess. There are those who squabble and those who acquiesce. Those who think they are "agents of change" and those who are peacemakers. On my teaching staff there were 12 teachers. Ten were such dedicated, delightful human beings. The other two always wanted to make things difficult. We learned to work with them.
And that is the way of things - of life.
and bulldozers are great levelers!
Hah! Right you are.
🤣👏
I love the sentiment of this story! Great stuff, Sharron! Trades are incredibly undervalued. This story reminds me of one of my former students, a girl, who is going to kick some serious tail in the field of mechanics. She’s so bold...can’t wait to see what she does as her future unfolds.
I wonder if she will focus on the mechanics aspect, rather than just simply the tech aspect? ie: The people who call themselves "mechanics" at the Toyota dealership here in my town, are really technicians - they can't / don't FIX anything! They have electronic diagnostic devices that tell them which part to REPLACE. And if that doesn't do the trick, they will replace something else. No repairing of any kind. Rip it out, throw it away. Done! My boy says a plumber is never out of work. And he is right.
Oh no, she’s the real deal. She’s a tinkerer. Oil-stained fingers, likes hanging out under the hood of a car. Love that she’s completely bucking the trend!
Please tell her I am impressed. She is paying attention to her future. Once you have a trade and you are good at it, you can try ANYTHING as you will always have a place to fall back if necessary. Good girl!
Love this story! In the 1980’s, I began a career in a predominantly male trade, in a newspaper mailroom, and learned on the job. For the most part, I was respected as an equal, though there were some who thought it wasn’t “woman’s work.” A Union job, great pay, benefits, and decent working conditions. I don’t think I would have done any better in a desk job. These days , I’m a happy Teamster retiree!
Oh yes! The key word: retired! Yay! You put in a lot of years. Now you can sit on your porch in Porter Gulch every morning, drinking coffee and watching the deer, squirrels, wild turkeys in your yard. Such a pleasure. And well - earned.
Yes. Forklifts are fun. Training to drive a semi, I learned to stack three empty flatbeds on top of each other, on top of the one I'd drive away. Balance )). Chain 'em. Drive 'em to Mexico. I was 1 woman of 115 men in that class. 10 made it thru, including me. 30 years ago. There's more women drivers now. We're good at it. First 6 months I drove through all the joined states, Canada and Mexico. Loved it.
What a story, Kate! Congratulations. You seem to succeed at whatever you try. Amazing!
A thoughtful story about career choice. I didn't know that Harper is a female name (google says it used to be both male and female), so for me there was a surprise upon reaching the penultimate word "her." I guess the dedication predisposed me to think that the story was going to be about a man. I enjoyed it!
what about Harper Lee? 😂
Thanks so much, Jim! Sorry, I fooled you! haha ha