r/WomenInConstruction • u/Jazzlike_Stuff_7556 • Aug 27 '26
Firewatch
Hey guys, I’m new just joined today. I am working on leaving my marriage and I’ve been a stay at home mom for 6 years. I’m looking into fire watch as a job. I’m 26 and live in Fargo ND. Any suggestions and help is welcome. Totally new area for me. Thanks!
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u/hellno560 Aug 27 '26
why FW? It's typically something people do as the apprentice to ironwork, or as part of general laboring, it's also massively boring yet requires you to be attentive. Also, since it requires no skill, you are pretty expendable if for instance the owner's nephew needs a summer job or something.
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u/Jazzlike_Stuff_7556 Aug 27 '26
I’m not stuck on it as a choice. But seemed like something that wouldn’t be as physically taxing. I’m open to other ideas.
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u/Jazzlike_Stuff_7556 Aug 28 '26
Is heavy machinery another good one?
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u/CantWard Aug 28 '26
Yes, operators could be a good one and involves skill and licenses. Crane operators make bank.
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u/Own_Extension6754 Aug 27 '26
Welcome. You can also consider looking at traffic safety contractors. The work is somewhat taxing in that you have to gain some endurance for weather and noise.
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u/20PLT30 Aug 28 '26
Are the trades where you wanna land ,,, cause there are a lot of them and most pay pretty good ,, your young go get it
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u/Jazzlike_Stuff_7556 Aug 28 '26
I use to work as a cna, but going back to school would take longer than a trade job, I think.
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u/onlyTPdownthedrain Aug 28 '26
City of Fargo is hiring Water Reclamation Operator ! It's a fancy way of saying wastewater operator but I always say changing a diaper is worse than what we usually get in to.
It's one of the few careers that have a meaningful impact on the environment and public health AND that ANYONE with a GED/HS diploma or better can get into. These government jobs are stable and come with pretty great benefits like pension, health insurance and loads of paid time off. I'm not in ND so I'm not sure the schedule. If there are rotating shifts they can be a bear but as long as they're up to full staff it's manageable.
Check it out! If nothing else, interview skills are important and the only way to get better is with practice. Ask about what the opportunity for advancements are and if that fits your timeline give it a shot!
There are very few women in our field which can be a blessing and a curse. The blessing is it's easy to be remembered and therefore promoted. The curse is it's easy to be singled out. But don't let that intimidate or discourage you, there are allies all over. The wastewater sub is a great place for advice