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Women in Trades

Jen, store manager of a women's clothing boutique, smiling in front of racks of linen shirts and dresses in her store

14 Oct From Surf Shop Employee to Boutique Store Manager: Jen’s 30-Year Retail Career

Posted at 15:20h in Career Advice, Fashion Trades, Management Careers, Skilled Trades Careers, Women in Trades

Jen started in retail at a surf shop as a teenager. More than 30 years later she manages a women's boutique in a 10-store chain run entirely by women. Her advice: watch your managers, believe in your product, and be helpful....

Laura, makeup artist and co-owner of The Dry Lounge in Yorba Linda, smiling while applying makeup to a client in her salon

07 Oct From Human Resources to Makeup Artist and Entrepreneur: Laura’s Creative Career

Posted at 15:15h in Career Advice, Career Change, Cosmetology Career, Creative Careers, Esthetician Careers, Skilled Trades Careers, Women in Trades

After a breakup pushed her out of Human Resources, Laura taught herself makeup, asked a MAC counter if they were hiring, and got the job. 26 years later she co-owns The Dry Lounge in Yorba Linda....

Lauren, a 23-year-old medical photographer, smiling in black scrubs and holding her Canon camera at the dermatology clinic where she works

22 Sep Turning a Photography Skill Into a Medical Career: Lauren’s Story

Posted at 17:12h in Career Advice, Creative Careers, Healthcare Careers, Skilled Trades Careers, Women in Trades

Lauren never knew medical photography was a career until she saw a job posting after college. With photography skills learned on the side and no medical background, she landed a stable healthcare role she loves at 23....

Christina, an automotive service manager, standing between a blue and a white Maserati SUV in the dealership showroom

22 Sep From Cashier to Automotive Service Manager: Christina’s Career Built on Resilience

Posted at 15:34h in Automotive Careers, Career Advice, Career Change, Management Careers, Skilled Trades Careers, Women in Trades

Christina started as a cashier in a dealership service department and was promoted to warranty administrator in six months. Two employers closed, and she kept going. At 45, she is an Automotive Service Manager leading in a male dominated industry....

Techelle, a manufacturing cutter and foil operator, holding a foil-stamped box in front of the ETERNA foil stamping machine she runs

18 Sep From Entry Level to Skilled Machine Operator: Techelle’s Manufacturing Career

Posted at 19:54h in Career Advice, Career Change, Manufacturing Trades, Skilled Trades Careers, Women in Trades

Techelle went from an entry-level manufacturing job to running a multimillion-dollar foil stamping machine — with every skill learned on the job. Her advice: find a company willing to train you....

Sarah, a professional motor coach operator for MTR Western, smiling in front of her motor coach

11 Sep From School Bus Driver to Motor Coach Operator: Sarah’s Career on the Road

Posted at 12:23h in Career Advice, Career Change, Skilled Trades Careers, Transportation Careers, Women in Trades

Sarah started driving school buses at 18. Nearly three decades later, she's a professional motor coach operator who absolutely loves her work — proof that one practical skill can open new doors throughout a career....

Rebecca Slome, certified massage therapist and founder of M2B Wellness, smiling in a floral cardigan

25 Aug From Massage Therapist to Entrepreneur: Rebecca Slome’s Career in Wellness

Posted at 09:00h in Career Advice, Career Change, Service Trade Careers, Skilled Trades Careers, Women in Trades

Rebecca Slome turned a massage therapy certification into a specialty in maternity wellness and a business of her own, M2B Wellness. Her story shows how learning a trade can be the beginning, not the destination....

MRI technician career inspiration — a medical imaging professional reviewing scans in a clinical setting

10 Aug Training for a Career in Medical Imaging: Rua’s Path to Becoming an MRI Technician

Posted at 12:34h in Career Advice, Healthcare Careers, Medical Imaging Career, Skilled Trades Careers, Women in Trades

Sometimes an everyday appointment introduces you to someone building an exciting career of their own. During a recent MRI appointment, Rua was working in the MRI department as part of her training. At 24 years old, she is preparing for a career as an MRI Technician...

Film production career inspiration — Silvana with her camera and telephoto lens at the Trade Works USA event booth

10 Aug Behind the Camera: Silvana’s Career in Film Production and 3 Career Mistakes to Avoid

Posted at 11:47h in Career Advice, Creative Careers, Media production career, Skilled Trades Careers, Women in Trades

Choosing a career is about more than finding a way to make money. It is about understanding your strengths, knowing what kind of work you actually enjoy, and learning what a career looks like before committing to it. Silvana has learned those lessons through her own...

Staffing career inspiration — Jess, a construction staffing professional, smiling during her interview about helping build America

07 Aug Helping Build America: Jess’s Career in Construction Staffing

Posted at 11:25h in Career Advice, Career Change, Skilled Trades Careers, Staffing Career, Women in Trades

Sometimes the best career opportunities are the ones you never planned for. For Jess, a career in staffing began with a simple job search. While browsing opportunities on Indeed, she came across a position that caught her interest. With a background in project management and experience...