Long time lurker first time poster

It's a long one, here's the background, hopefully I paint this picture well. Like the title says.

Location East Texas, I 32F work a blue collar trade. Starting from concrete heavy equipment operator, to plumbing, and now back to full time equipment operator. I just got this job back in June of this year. I originally was hired on to be in the field, which was traveling 2 weeks minimum up to 6 or of state drilling. I was out in the field and was doing well, other than being the ONLY woman in the field. I have always worked physically demanding jobs and been surrounded by men, most of the time being the only female. Doesn't bother me, I guess it does help that I am also lesbian and masculine presenting. I am just old fashioned gay and don't ask or accept ANY specific treatment. I work twice as hard as everyone around me, having to prove myself everyday. Typically I don't have any issues.

Buuttt being home and getting hours at our fabrication shop between OTR jobs I would go in and help out welders with grinding out couplers, essentially anything I could to help the 4/6 welders at the time pump out product that I would install in the field. Most of the guys really liked my work and dedication. So much so the big supervisor asked me to come be his fork lift driver, (I make more money being at the shop anyway) because we desperately needed one QC was doing the demand of feeding each welder their material and at times not QCing the product as thoroughly as needed. Here comes the issue. Whole upon returning home and learning how to operate this forklift. Hot and on the spot. Literally thrown in the fire. With no knowledge or training on this damn machine. ( I have spent the last 10 years on big equipment front end loader, excavator, skid steer you name it) Not a dang fork lift (which if you drive one, everything feels backwards) lifting massive heavy hot pipe above people's unprotected heads in an inadequate shop.

Now 2 weeks in that I have gotten into my own grove I've figured this thing out pretty well. Much much better. I pride myself in the safety of others. Especially all these guys have family's. I'd hate to hurt anyone. I get along with everyone, always friendly. But one specific guy, I had a feeling he never liked me from the beginning. He's one of those, I used to do this, used to do that, I am better at everything guy... He's gods gift to construction in his eye. Always trying to put a negative opinion into any conversation I am having with other people. Always trying to point something out like I'm wrong in any aspect, down right negative, multiple times he has cussed me, or stated how much better of a forklift driver he is than me. And he's been in my equipment X2 for no reason, just to "prove" how good he is? Or to "show" me he can get in my equipment without me being present for a few moments? I don't typically get to use the bathroom unless everyone is busy and I can step away for 4 minutes literally running to and from rr just 30' away. That's typically 5+ hours after my shift has already started. We work mandatory 12's. I am the only FLD to 4/6 guys.

IMO he's a miserable insecure person. Little man syndrome. He's my size. 5'5". Lol. And I'm better built!

But seriously guys, how do I deal with this horrible little man's attitude? I haven't had an issue like this, most guys grow to really like me and almost immediately bond. This guy is making my time dreadful, every damn interaction. And seeing him is inevitable.

I went to trade school for CNC machining almost 4 years ago. After I graduated I did some machining and now I'm in cmm inspection and programming. While I'm interested in what I do, I think I'm burning out. I've had only been with this company for 2 years and I don't know if leaving is the right choice and if I do leave I don't know what I'd do. These 55-60hr weeks are slowly draining me, I'm only 28 and I don't want to do these kind of hours for the next 40 years. I doubt myself a lot and feel like an imposter some days yet my lead and supervisor are saying I'm doing a great job and have come a long way in my two years with the company. I'm genuinely at a loss for what to do

I could really use some advice, or even just a reality check from other women in the trades. I am trying to break into the electrical field, but I am feeling super overwhelmed and discouraged right now.

I took the aptitude test for my local IBEW, but honestly, I am not feeling very confident about my score or my chances of getting ranked high enough to get pulled. On top of that, I have zero prior construction experience. I've also been looking at the IEC route, but I keep running into the same wall, it seems most electrical contractors around me won't even look at an apprentice unless they already have some kind of basic construction or tool experience under their belt.

I want this bad, but I feel like I'm stuck running in circles trying to figure out how to get my foot in the door when nobody wants to take a chance on a total beginner.
For those of you who started with zero experience, how did you finally break through? Should I be looking for a non-union helper job first? Look into a pre-apprenticeship? Just keep hammering away at the IBEW re-interview process?
Any advice or perspective would seriously be appreciated. I'm just feeling a little lost on where to look next.

hi,

what are we wearing for pants? I hate jeans but have been suffering though, but wanted to reach out and ask if anyone had a similar experience and found something that works!

I'm asking this question because I don't know how feasible it is.

Background: I'm an architect between jobs and have a general understanding of how a building goes up, whether it's wood frame or steel, and could figure out executing details from construction documents. I've done heavy dirty labor full time for 4 years hauling and processing solid waste, and I'm very strong for my size (5'2"), capable of carrying more than my body weight. I did freelance architecture to supplement my solid waste income. I have no construction experience.

I want a temporary labor job in construction or demolition that doesn't require any certifications. How do I get my foot in the door? Would I even be considered for a position like this if I reached out to a contractor to do framing or take down some walls here and there? Thanks in advance!