Resources for Young Adults

A career in construction, manufacturing or transit may be right for you!

STEP 1

Watch videos to see what tradeswomen do at work!

Go to PA CareerZone Videos and select your “Career Pathway” in Manufacturing or Architecture and Construction, or Logistics and Transportation

Careers for young women and youth

STEP 2

Talk to a caring adult at school or in your community and ask them to help with Step 3.

Download Resource Guide

STEP 3

Go deeper in your chosen career and get connected.

Scroll Down

EXPLORE THE UNION BUILDING TRADES.

TRADES

Pick the trades you get excited about.

CONSTRUCTION CAREERS

Find out more about construction careers and how to prepare yourself.

EXPLORE MANUFACTURING CAREERS

CHOOSING YOUR MANUFACTURING CAREER

Find out more information about what you could earn and what you need to learn.

CHECK OUT CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION IN YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION

School District of Philadelphia Career and Technical Education.

TECHNICAL AND EDUCATION CENTERS

Southeast PA Career and Technical Education Centers.

GET EXPERIENCE! VOLUNTEER!

MYWIC

MyWIC camp is a free, six-day summer camp introduces 7th through 12th grade girls to construction careers.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity for home construction and repair projects.

TINYWPA

Volunteer with TinyWPA to build things in West Philadelphia!

REBUILDING TOGETHER PHILADELPHIA

Volunteer with Rebuilding Together Philadelphia to participate in neighborhood building projects.

Read inspiring stories of women who dared to be different.

Stephanie works in a nontraditional career in Philadelphia

As a woman in the manufacturing industry, I am inspired by other women leading the way, whether working as a team to put products together or to get the product shipped to the customer.

Stephanie Cortes, Electromechanical and Cable Assembler

Vanessa is a skilled construction worker, read her success story!

I like being outside and working with my hands, and if I feel good doing it, then why should I be limited if I’m a woman? Why shouldn’t I be making the big bucks, having health insurance, and double pension and annuity with the union? Why should I stay making $12 an hour doing something I’m not really happy at when I want a well-paying career that offers me a good future?

Vanessa Casillas, Bricklayer

Tamara is a woman working in a nontraditional career!

When I first began my apprenticeship, I found out I was pregnant. This is now my fourth year in the trades and the benefits and money coming in really help because now I’m a single mother. I have pride in what I do and I hope that eventually my son will say “yeah, my mom does that” and have pride in me as well. Nothing is impossible with the right motivation and determinations. – Tamara McCoullough, sheet metal worker

Tamara McCoullough, sheet metal worker

Anne is a woman working in a nontraditional career

I grew up with the perception that smart people went to college and the trades were for dummies. Nothing could be farther from the truth. I know real geniuses who are pipefitters. There is a place for everyone in the trades. A college education is not necessary, but the smarter and better educated you are, the farther you’ll go.

Anne Kahle, pipefitter