Using Your Hands And Working Outdoors As A Carpenter
If you enjoy being outside and working with your hands, a career as a carpenter may be the right one for you. One of the most satisfying aspects of this job is the fact that at the end of the day, you can stand back and look at the work you have accomplished. This can be far more satisfying that working months in order to complete a single sales contract.
A carpenter works at creating things out of wood and other materials, such as buildings, boats, and playgrounds. They will take the wood and cut, fit, and join them together with various materials. Some carpenters will work for a contractor and specialize further in the trade, perhaps framing or building concrete molds. Some of the tasks that a carpenter will perform include installing doors and windows, installing kitchen cabinets, and installing tile ceilings.
Carpenters will have certain local government regulations that they will have to follow about how and where they will have to use certain types of materials. They usually follow the same basic steps when getting ready to start a new job. They will always begin by designing the project, because without a plan, you will not be able to get anything accomplished, and often you will not be able to get a permit to begin the work. Then they will cut and shape the materials, and then they will assemble them into the final form. They will need to be adept and accurate at using various hand and power tools, as well as various measuring tools.
The job becomes somewhat easier when they are working with parts that are already created, such as windows and doors. These can be installed all at once without further assembly. A carpenter also may work on replacing glass and ceiling tiles. Some also work at repairing furniture.
This can be stressful work, as it involves standing for long periods of time, climbing, bending, and kneeling. They also have a risk of injury from slipping or falling, or from cutting injuries from tools. You need to be aware of your surroundings in this field.
This is a field that you can often learn through on the job training, but many carpenters will learn the skills that they need in school or through a formal training program. Many high schools will offer classes in carpentry, shop, or drafting. Math classes will also help you to prepare for a career in this field. Technical schools also will offer training programs. Larger companies often offer apprenticeship programs, especially those that are unionized. These apprenticeship programs will usually last anywhere from three to four years.
As of 2006, there were about 1.5 million carpenters employed in the United States. Despite the recent economic downturn, this is career that over time will have good long term potential, especially if you become trained on green building technology.
