Go for it :-) and good luck.

I've worked with women electricians before. The only task that I had to do which I think would be a little more difficult was to dig a trench to lay cables outside a multistories building. But other than that the ladies did all the other jobs that we did. They were never offered to help with the trench digging, so they did not refuse to do it either, they were just not asked. If asked maybe they could have done it too.

Women Moving Into Non-Traditional Jobs By: Rachael Halloran Imagine a welder. How about a carpenter or a machinist. Did you picture a man in your mind’s eye? Most people do—and not without reason. The occupations above are currently on the U.S. Department of Labor’s list of non-traditional occupations for women. These are jobs where women comprise less than 25 percent of the workforce. This article takes a look at why there are still non-traditional jobs for women, what impact this can have on women and the rest of society and what steps are currently being taken to bring more equality to job opportunities. First, let’s establish why this is an important issue. After all, job segregation has been an institution for a long time. Why is it now so urgent to change the status quo? Actually, there are several reasons. First, according to the Women’s Bureau of the Department of Labor, in 1999, median annual earnings for women were 72.2 percent of men’s annual earnings 1. This disparity in earnings is due, in part, to the different occupations in which men and women are employed. Non-traditional jobs for women are often better paying because they are in high-growth fields and many pay prevailing union wages 2. HOW WOMEN BENEFIT Many non-traditional jobs, especially technical ones, also have the advantage of short training periods, and frequent opportunities for advancement. A Women’s Guide to Technical Careers 3 is a publication, distributed by the Women Employed Institute, that introduces some of the advantages of non-traditional technical careers. None of the jobs outlined (there are over 30 in the guide) has an initial training period longer than two years, if the worker has a high school diploma or GED. In addition non-traditional jobs may have apprenticeships available which, along with on-the-job training, allow workers to earn while they learn. Many colleges and trade schools also offer comprehensive training in hopes of attracting female candidates 4. Women may also experience an increased sense of job satisfaction in a non-traditional career. The work offered in these jobs is often interesting and challenging 5. Non-traditional jobs may allow women to exercise skills that they enjoy but previously may not have been able to utilize at the workplace. Finally, women are increasingly playing a more integral role in their family’s financial security. More women are heads of families and more families are depending on two incomes than ever before 6. Women in non-traditional jobs benefit by being able to attain economic security for their families. PROBLEMS WOMEN ENCOUNTER While there are many advantages to non-traditional careers for women, there may be hurdles to overcome. Employers might not want to hire women due to misconceptions about women’s abilities to perform in what have traditionally been regarded as men’s jobs. In addition, discrimination on the part of co-workers has been familiar for some of the women who have chosen non-traditional careers. Because of these drawbacks, as well as the traditional paradigm of women’s and men’s jobs being separate, some women may not fully realize that these jobs are open to them. INITIATIVES FOR CHANGE However, steps are being taken to rectify this situation. Using a three-pronged approach, combining elements of affirmative action, employer education and education in schools—advances are being made to overturn some of the customary barriers connected with women entering non-traditional occupations. Affirmative action has been an important tool in introducing women to non-traditional occupations. A Department of Labor study estimated that 6 million women are in higher occupational classifications today than would have been without the affirmative action policies of the 1960s and 1970s 7. Locally, Chicago Women in Trades has conducted several studies in order to ascertain the effectiveness of programs designed to introduce women to non-traditional jobs. They have found that the primary tools in increasing the numbers of women in trades-related occupations are affirmative action goals 8. They have also discovered that the higher the goals, the higher the achievement, according to Laurie LeBreton, a policy consultant to Chicago Women in Trades9. Outside of the trades, an Illinois bank has implemented an affirmative action employee development program to expand opportunities for qualified employees. Through the program women have progressed through the ranks and earned positions in upper level management and the Board of Directors. An integral part of making affirmative action work is education of employers and supervisors. They are the ones who guide employees to achieve their affirmative action goals. Chicago Women in Trades cites training for subcontractors as essential to preventing workplace discrimination 10. There are many types of discrimination that may be encountered in non-traditional occupations. Employer training must cover issues, such as preparing the workplace for women, preventing isolation and paternalistic treatment, providing appropriate bathroom and changing facilities and preventing sexual harassment. A secure, comfortable work environment is important to an employee’s job satisfaction no matter what the occupation. A third strategy aimed at introducing women to non-traditional occupations is based on a plan of action implemented by Education-to-Careers programs. All states are required to have goals for preparing women for non-traditional employment through the School-to-Work Opportunities Act. These goals may be achieved through outreach to female students, career information and math and science education. There are many programs in Illinois aimed at interesting young women in non-traditional careers. The Illinois Institute of Technology, the College of DuPage and Loyola University, as well as other colleges and universities, sponsor workshops in science, engineering, and IT (information technology) careers for women. In addition, the Illinois State Board of Education conducts and aids in several programs designed to promote gender equity. For more information, visit http://www.isbe.net/equity/ or contact Cindy Zumwalt at czumwalt@isbe.net (phone: 217/782-3370). For a complete list of non-traditional occupations for women, go to http://www.dol.gov/dol/wb/public/wb_pubs/nontra2000.htm, the United States Department of Labor’s Women’s Bureau Web site. The Work4Women project (http://www.work4women.org) offers a broad overview of the topic including common misconceptions and links to assistance in finding and maintaining a non-traditional occupation. The Illinois Department of Employment Security is another resource to assist women to transition to non-traditional careers. IDES sponsors Apprenticeship Information Centers to assist with matching one’s skills with an appropriate job.

Okay i see long answers here, You can do ANYTHING you set your mind and body to, sometimes it does take your body time to get used to what you're doing, but we're humans we're made to adapt. Good Luck!

I don't think being a female has anything to do with physical ability. Either he/she can handle it, or not!

tssssss, you can be anything. Come on man! uhh woman!

You can do it where i work at there are a lot of woman as electrician , I worked at a job there were 6 sisters they were iron workers never say never you can do what ever you want ,

Having been in the building industry for over 20 years in one form or another. I love to see women in the field. As an electrician there will be physical demands. One of the biggest tests of strength would be operating a right-angle drill, they can just about rip your arm right off. But if you are able, go for it. As an aside, and in general. I find that the women I have known in the field are much more organized and responsible than some of the men. I hired a woman stucco contractor, I'd put her up against anyone...

Im training to be a firefighter (im a female) and i absolutely love it. it is very hard but i have a passion for putting the blue stuff on the red stuff. Anything is achievable if you have a passion for doing it, remember that! Dont go easy, go smart!

I would imagine if you tried any of them it would be an indication if you would succeed at it. As far as you training as an electrician, more power to you and don't forget to pass along your business card when you're done.:-)

First learn how to program the video...

I just finished 32 years as a highway and heavy carpenter. I worked outside year round in all kinds of conditions. I worked with a few women and this is what I have deduced over the years: Men can work at a crappy job they hate their whole life and do good work, but if a woman does not enjoy her work especially in construction she does not do it well. Personally I think we women can do anything we set our mind to do,but construction is not for everyone. A lot of the silly women I worked with over the years really made it hard on for those of us who were dedicated to the profession.

Yeah definately! Check out the site below and you'll find all the info you need about becoming an electrician, including jobs, descriptions, salaries, and just about everything else. No use in me talking about it here. Go to: http://www.electrician-electricalcontractor.com/ Good Luck!