Miscellaneous
Her career path transitioned from a variety of vocations into welding and ironwork at the age of 30! Learn how this amazing lady didn't settle for less, and persistence and resilience, found her dream job. Danielle Shaw, Journeywoman (Journey-Ma’am) IronworkerI became interested in the trades at age 30 after seeing so many men making good money, and I was working just as hard making half the amount.My dad is a retired welder/ boilermaker (Local 359) and I think that’s why I gravitated towards welding. After my training, I applied to close to 100 welding jobs and was terribly discouraged. The typical responses were, “we lift too heavy of things”, “you would be a distraction”, “you don’t look like a welder”. After I got a job welding production line bike parts for just above minimum wage, I finally got my break when the Ironworkers local 97 called me up for a 5-day shutdown, and I never left! I started my apprenticeship shortly after I started and was so impressed with the process, I felt like I was finally learning in a way that fit me. Being taught in a classroom setting then going out into the field in between levels to learn hands on what we’ve been taught with my journeyman as a mentor. I was learning, gaining skills and confidence with every year that passed, and making money!My apprenticeship was a bit longer than most as I became pregnant halfway through it. Although I took a 2-year hiatus from work, I did manage to attend my level 2, 5 months pregnant. Pretty sure I was the only pregnant woman the steel trades building had seen toting a tool belt and fabricating a wide flange beam.I have now completed my apprenticeship and can proudly say I am a Journeywoman Ironworker. I am so thankful for the support and confidence from my fiancé as well as my fellow brother and sisters in this great trade. careers, career transition, career planning, welding, welder, labor, labor shortage, workers, construction, general construction, shut downs, turnarounds, transportation