My Daughter is Wearing a Hard Hat This Summer

[dragonmom]

<p>wolfpackmom,
in this economy, any relavant work is a plus. In any economy, on the job work is a plus. She’s got a good summer plan, congrats.</p>

[anxiousmom]

<p>Though 5$ an hour sounds really, really low… maybe she’s getting more than that?</p>

[futurenyustudent]

<p>

So, was all that money I just put out for “professional clothes” just a big waste?

</p>

<p>Probably, yeah. My dad’s suits mostly sit in his closet. On the other hand, I intern at a law office and it’s pretty much coat and tie every day (for court days), or business casual at a minimum. </p>

<p>$5 an hour=$3 an hour net of tax. That takes net income, oh, below minimum wage?</p>

[aibarr]

<p>

She wears a hard hat, steel toe boats, and is the only girl working on this project. She absolutely loves this. The university is paying her $5 an hour (I think that is correct). I don’t know, so I’m asking…Is this something that will look good on her resume? I really, really want her to graduate next year and find a job that has a medical plan, and a 401K (profit sharing and dental would be nice too).

</p>

<p>Tell your daughter “WELCOME TO THE CLUB!!” for me!</p>

<p>I am a hard-hat toting structural and civil engineer working for a major firm-- we LIKE hands-on work. It’ll give your daughter a sense of what the real world is like, and what real construction is like, and it’ll be a great addition to her resume. Congratulations to her on even having a summer opportunity this year. That’s a major coup in this economy.</p>

<p>

I though civil engineers worked in offices with blue prints and stuff like that. Was all that money I just put out for “professional clothes” just a big waste?

</p>

<p>I’ve held jobs that have been on both sides of this fence. In my first job, I would wear jeans and boots every day. In my current job, it’s all business wear all the time, except on Fridays when we can get away with business casual, and we spend all day at our desks, at meetings, or collaborating with our colleagues. So I think it’s probably too soon to say that your purchases were a total waste.</p>

<p>Tell her to check out <a href=“http://www.charmandhammer.com%5B/url%5D–”>www.charmandhammer.com–</a> it’s got a lot of pink construction gear for women, but even if super-girly isn’t her style, it’s a great resource for finding construction apparel and gear in women’s sizes (tough to do).</p>

<p>Good luck to her! This is a great opportunity. It’s good to have another woman among our ranks.</p>

[wolfpackmom]

<p>aibarr, you are wonderful! my daughter turns 21 next week, and i think a pink hard hat would be a hysterical gift for her. i called charmandhammer, and it turns out their office is just the next town over. how is that for fate!!! so i’m driving there to pick up a few things. thanks for the pep talk too. i really appreciate your words of wisdom.</p>