I am a union carpenter, working as a millwright with Local 740. I joined a pre-apprenticeship program for women that brought me into the unionized trades back in 2005, and I’ve been doing what I love ever since. Thanks to union carpenters and contractors, I’ve had steady work for the past 18 years, I receive great wages and benefits, and I’ve been supported by my brothers and sisters in the union the whole way.
I feel incredibly grateful for my career with union carpenters and contractors and the life it’s afforded me. In addition to the life-changing pay and benefits I’ve received, the training, comradery, and diversity set the union apart as a great place to work. The vast resources of the union also bring opportunities for mentorship and community building. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the mentors and colleagues who have helped me along the way. Despite all the great things I have to say about my career, there have certainly been times I’ve felt discouraged. In my second year, there was a stretch of time when I wasn’t getting much work.