Construction is a wild industry.
So you’re thinking about joining, or doing some research about pre-trade school. If anything, I’d be weirded out if you weren’t nervous about starting. Here’s three really important things that you need to remember if you’re going to go into this.
1. Everyone starts at where you are currently now.
It’s normal. Everything will be alright.
Every Tradesmen and Tradeswoman can relate. You’re not expected to know everything. Many people fake confidence in this industry, and it’s the ‘fake it ’till you make it’ type attitude that will get you through the first couple of years. You can’t be your harshest critic in a world full of people who bring each other down.
I used to worry a lot in the beginning of my apprenticeship. I used to fret, worried that I wasn’t able to adapt to my company. Worried that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the boys. I’ve now got a team who understands and trains me.
2. Don’t compare yourself to others.
Comparison is the theft of joy. You aren’t doing yourself any favours by comparing yourself to others more experienced than you.
It’s easy to look at the younger guys and think, “man did I mess up my life?”. Your experience will be so valuable in your job, and you’re not going to be able to see that yet. You’ll constantly worry if you can be as good as your team one day.
The thing that you haven’t experienced yet is the amount of stress and mental gymnastics that your Tradesperson deals with. There’s a good chance that they are also probably thinking in their heads, “am I doing this right?”. Everyday is a different set of circumstances.
I used to constantly compare myself with my seniors. That was when I realised that I was in the right room. When I was looking forward to learning things that I didn’t know, and that my seniors could teach me.
3. It’s okay if it doesn’t work out.
You were fine before, and you’ll be fine after you started.
Not everyone passes an apprenticeship, and that’s the truth that a lot of people don’t talk about. You can always return back to your normal life. Trying and failing is better than regret not trying at all.
Construction isn’t for everyone. To put it lightly, it’s an ‘acquired taste.’ To put it bluntly, its usually disorganised, chaotic and janky as fk.
You’re at the end…
What you’re feeling is normal. It’s okay to be anxious. It’s okay that you can’t see what the next move it. What’s important is that you’re taking time to slow down, breathe and look after yourself. The industry is such a rigmarole of mental gymnastics, that it’s very normal to be anxious.
Remember to be kind to yourself and just take one step at a time.
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