how do you get into it?

i am 22 years old. im a female. and i want to work as an operator. my only set back is.... i have no experience!

im from a small town, and when i was 15 my dad sent me to McDonalds to make my own money. unfortunately I cant seem to find any place to hire me out side of the experience that i have. been a cook for the past 6 years... worked in different restaurants, and in cafeterias.

I WANT to be an Operator. what do i need to learn to be able to be one? i know what the different equipment is... i know what a skid loader is, an excavator, a dozer, and a trencher is. im a good hard worker who is reliable and on time.... what more do i have to do to get a chance...

or is it because im a girl?

thank you in advance for any help you offer!

That Girl in Colorado Springs, Colorado said: i am 22 years old. im a female. and i want to work as an operator. my only set back is.... i have no experience!

im from a small town, and when i was 15 my dad sent me to McDonalds to make my own money. unfortunately I cant seem to find any place to hire me out side of the experience that i have. been a cook for the past 6 years... worked in different restaurants, and in cafeterias.

I WANT to be an Operator. what do i need to learn to be able to be one? i know what the different equipment is... i know what a skid loader is, an excavator, a dozer, and a trencher is. im a good hard worker who is reliable and on time.... what more do i have to do to get a chance...

or is it because im a girl?

thank you in advance for any help you offer!

That Girl,
Where theres a will theres a way. Your young so you can travel and thats a plus. If I was in your shoes I would move to Missoula, Montana and attend the VoTech and become a heavy equipment operator that way. You might wonder why I would want to send you to Missoula and the answer is Washington Construction which is based out of Missoula. Google Dennis Washington and I think you'll be encouraged. If you could get on with him you'd have it made in the shade. Remember young people can take chances whereas older folks look back on their lives and often times wish we had taken the chances. Good luck. Bob

Dear 22yr old girl.The way I started was like this. I started out as a laborer,learning from the bottom up. I would asked questions, even if they seemed stupid. The only stupid question is the one not asked.I volunteered to work late learning how to dig after work for free.I learned everything I could about the different types of pipe that I would be working with, I started out with small outfits andworked my way up.You need to know the following, Saftey regs for your work enviroment in general, Know your machines maintenance requirements (grease points, oil and filter change hrs ect.) Be able to use an engineers rule and peepsite. Be able to read a grade stake and understand it top to bottom.Be drug free.Show up to work on time everyday.give your employer 100% everyway everyday.Be honest about your abilities(don't get in over your head)These are tough times right now and work is hard to get so be patient. If the will is there, there is always a way.It may take a few years,but if you want it bad enough it will come. Good luck young Padawan, May the force be with you.

That last guy carl hit the nail on the head, couldn't have said it better myself.

maggie in Jacksonville, Florida said: That last guy carl hit the nail on the head, couldn't have said it better myself.

You can do anything you want. I was a GM/TSM for Wendy's for 8 years, like you I just wanted to operate. So now I am going for it. There are great schools to help. Yes even after school you will have alot to learn, but as long as you have the drive you can do it. So dont let all the negitive comments on this site get you scared or down. I will be certified comming out of ATS in 4 more weeks. It will help.

Im wondering the same thing , I just want to get into heavy equpment operations too but dont know where to start-_-

Where you start is at the bottom as laborer like most of the other good operators have done.Watch,learn,ask questions,be patient,do a good job as a laborer and you will get your shot.Be a smartass,show
up late all the time,or show up stoned,start thinking that you know
everything when you don't and you will get run off.I'm a foreman and that's what happened to an ATS graduate that we hired.I gave him a month to get his stuff together and eventually ran him off.

I am a Navy Recruiter and the navy offers a program to teach you all of the skills that you will need. The Rate is EO or EQUIPMENT OPERATOR. If you want to look in to what the navy has to offer you can call or email your local recruiting office. You do not have to come into the active duty side we also have the reserves that you can now join with out having any active duty time. This is a great way to get a good start and have the skills that you are looking for.
If you have any other questions please email me.
My email is
Wade.mccurley@navy.mil

To anyone reading the Navy recruiters message ,Give him a call.The
SeaBees have a motto that says "Can DO" and yes they can! It's a great way to get your foot in the door. If I wasn't too old to re-enlist I'd be there right now.They will teach you and teach you well.

very good advice the military is the way to go of coarse I was Corp but that is Dept. of navy truthfully the seabees are a great way to start....... Also wish I was younger and could do it all over again certainly would not hesitate to join and relearn great experience...semper fi...

OooRah to you Ted usmc 1345

I would start from the bottom and work up from there. You can work for a landscaper run skidloader gannon tractor mini-ex things like that. Its good learning and you get paid to train. Most places are looking to hire good help if your willing to learn they will train the right person. Schools are great but there are no shure bet that your going to get a job right away. The company I work for will pair you with a operator and train you or if you want they will let you train yourself afterhours on your own time. You have to start somewere. Just because your not running the biggest peice on the site dosent mean your not a operator. I know alot of women that start out running compactors or dump trucks. Its not the greatest but its a way to get your foot in the door.

THAT MUST OF SUCK GOING TO WORK AT 15 AND NOT EVEN HAVING FUN WITH YOUR FRIENDS SO BUT I CAN RELATE TO WHAT WAS GOING ON..............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep the faith. In my oponion your best chance is to get in an apprenticeship program with your local union. It can be difficult to get in. I am a operator with over 20 years experience and I tried for the last 12 months to join the local union{local 106 albany ny} with no luck. But the problem here is lack of work. I had a good job for 19 years, but the owners retired last sept. As well as they treated me over the years, I wish I had left them years ago and joined the local. The problem Im facing now is, what few jobs that are available are paying outrageously low wages. I called an area contractor today looking for an operaator, the ad stated you had to have x amount of experience, bla,bla etc, the ad also said competitive pay. Which is fine, Im more than qualified, when asked the pay rate, he replied $14hr just for amusement, I asked wht kind of benefits they offered. He said no benefits for that pay rate! He said you can work as much overtime as you like, but no time & 1/2, all streight time pay. WTF! is this even legal?? Try to get in a union, it is in your best intrest. You need to think 20 years down the road, or u will be in my shoes. I think you'll find it easier getting in as an apprentice, than as a journeyman such as myself. One more thing, there is a woman in local 106 marianne rafferty that has a web page, you might find it very inspireing, here is the link.. womanoperator.org/

To Aaron in Gloversville,
Not paying time and 1/2 is totally ILLEGAL! Report this a--hole!