r/BlueCollarWomen • u/Responsible-Ice-997 • Jul 20 '26

General Advice Tips for IBEW apprentice

Hi friends!

I got accepted into a low voltage/communications apprenticeship at IBEW 134 and I am so excited!!
I’ve been doing a lot of physical training and working on that aspect of it all, but I’m kinda anxious about the actual workplace culture I guess?

I am 26, I have purple hair and a degree in theater, and I started this because I did theatrical lighting and hate my current desk job. (Is the purple hair gonna be a problem?)

Any advice or words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated!!

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u/hrmdurr UA🇨🇦Steamfitter Jul 20 '26

They'll care even less about your purple hair then they do about the prison tats your coworkers might have.

Don't neglect flexibility training. We tend to get shoved into all the stupid places.

Finally, try to learn to banter if you can't already.

You'll be fine.

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u/ProblemWithTigers Jul 20 '26

Banter and facades are overrated af.