Women in Blue-Collar Jobs Share Success Secrets in Male-Dominated Fields

International artist and businesswoman Rihanna is quoted as saying, “There’s something so special about a woman who dominates in a man’s world. It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness, and the nerve to never take no for an answer.”

Never is that more true than today, when according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the workforce participation rate for women in 2023 was 57.4%—with more and more of them entering traditionally male-dominated blue-collar jobs like plumbers, technicians, electricians, construction workers, and other skilled manual labor. 

The stereotypical image of only male workers has shifted to reflect a more diverse workforce of women not only entering those fields, but changing the landscape of their professions. 

Yet women in blue-collar roles still face unique challenges. The inspiring women below share how they have worked to achieve success in male-dominated fields.

Welding STEMinist: Demi Knight Clark

Demi Knight Clark, founder and Chief Spark Igniter of Spark Building Group, was fortunate enough to grow up in a family that had strong role models with both masculine and feminine energy equally represented. 

Her grandmother was one of the first female Marines in WWII, her dad was an Army Ranger, and Clark herself could be found in workshops building Pinewood Derby cars next to her brother, wading through the Chesapeake Bay in search of blue crabs, or playing some kind of sport. 

“I look back on it now realizing how unique my upbringing was,” Clark says. “That led to me seeking out and being comfortable with more equal—and in many times male-dominated— environments.”

Deciding to go first

Her career took her in many directions, from active Fortune 500 construction executive roles and consulting in workforce development to throwing a hammer, picking up welding torches, and  leading teams of 1,000 people.  

“I didn’t see the needle moving as fast as I wanted it to in terms of equity, so like many times in my career, I had to make the conscious choice to ‘go first’ and start my own company,” Clark says. “I had already founded a nonprofit for women in trades called She Built This City, but I knew my ultimate place and space was/is on the for-profit side to truly make the impact I want to make.”

That impact isn’t in a field she considers to be “blue-collar,” sharing that the construction sciences are science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) jobs and should be seen as such, calling herself a “welding STEMinist.”

“What we need to do a better job of is providing a really great onboard ramp to all jobs versus college,” Clark says. “I never say, ‘This is an alternative to college.’ It’s a choice to be in a season of work with manufacturing, construction, and your hands—evolving as the world evolves with automation. Your company could ultimately put you through school and all the training, and college may be a part of that trajectory. It’s the ultimate sense of power in choice.”

Clark notes that it does have its challenges, especially when it comes to advocacy.

“I came up through a world where women, especially in management and who are driven in the industry, had to be ‘better, stronger, faster’ with no room for error, and that was exhausting,” Clark says. “I burnt out a few times in the midst of raising a family and rising through the ranks. Now, there are more support mechanisms to support women and gender-fluid individuals as they become curious about male-dominated fields in construction and manufacturing.

“For many years, it was being ‘heard in the room,’” Clark adds. “I felt I had to all but scream sometimes to be heard, or pipeline my ideas through a male counterpart or boss. Then I got into my forties, started a company, and made my own boundaries on what I would/would not want to see moving forward. It’s incredibly freeing.”

A game-changing moment

Not only is it freeing, but Clark says it’s incredibly rewarding to actually see more women in the industry and to feel the difference. She recently walked into a classroom where there were equal numbers of women and men welding, something she says was “game-changing.” 

“The women felt safe, had space to not be an ‘only’ with that pressure, and the men were challenged to do even better,” Clark says. “Everyone wanted the top welds and to help each other. I finally saw what we’re trying to achieve—and diverse environments aren’t just ethically/morally right—they’re great for business.”

Her advice for other women? Go from your passions and your heart—not what society is telling you to do. Create your goals and what you’re willing to accept in terms of behavior, timeline, and trajectory.  

“And ask tons of questions, even if those questions aren’t received well,” Clark says. “If they aren’t, it may not be the culture for you—period.”

Power player: Tonya Hicks

Tonya Hicks isn’t just an industrial electrician and President and CEO of Power Solutions, Inc., she’s also founded Women Do Everything, which educates, trains, and supports women in male-dominated industries. 

Her efforts have garnered her various awards in the industry and she’s been featured in multiple publications, including The New York Times, Forbes Japan, and The London Times—but not without a lot of hard work.

“I started as an apprentice in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Apprentices are assigned to a company and the company I was working with worked in heavy commercial and industrial,” Hicks says. “I was drawn to the work after working on a construction site at a paper mill. I saw the electricians doing algebra to calculate electrical loads and concentric bends for conduit. As a math major in college, being able to do math as a career and not be a teacher was a win for me!”

Getting wired in

After a five-year apprenticeship, she became a certified Journeyman Inside Wireman in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). At 28 years old, she was working on a project and a man that worked for the construction company told her she should consider owning her own company since she “ran everything on the job anyway.” 

“I never had an official position of authority,” Hicks says. “I was just good at motivating the guys to work together. After that one conversation, I made the decision to quit and start my own business. I’m the type of person to jump and build my parachute on the way down, and that’s exactly what I did.” 

The trials of being a trailblazer

Hicks is quick to acknowledge that her path has been full of challenges—including both sexism and racism—and feels that women lost the most during the pandemic and recent financial crisis. She adds that women need higher-paying jobs like the skilled trades in blue-collar fields where they can make significantly more, and that offer maternity leave, childcare, or health benefits.

“Being on a job site where no one will talk to you or touch items that you handled is tough,” Hicks says. “Oftentimes, you’ll be the only one or one of a few, and being a trailblazer can be lonely at times. I had to learn how to identify the men that would help me and the ones that wouldn’t. I stuck close to the few supportive guys and learned not to care about the others. 

“I left my feelings at home for the people that loved me,” she continues. “I knew their issues with me were not about me; it was about their fear and shortcomings. I didn’t get rattled if someone didn’t ‘like’ me. I stayed focused on my goals and my job. Eventually I earned their respect.”

Along with earning respect, Hicks finds gratification in learning a trade and a skill that everyone needs. She’s had many opportunities to provide electrical services and restore power in times of disaster and for those below standard living conditions, and encourages women who have her same interests to explore a variety of trades before deciding on a career.

“Find a mentor or anyone willing to share their experience in that field and ask as many questions as possible,” Hicks says. “Always consider your needs first and make career decisions as best you can on achieving the quality of life you desire. Stay true to who you are, continually educate yourself, and never be afraid to ask for what you want.” 

SAHM-turned telematics technician: Megan Trammell

In the span of a month, Megan Trammell went from a stay-at-home mom with no career outlook to being a telematics technician with “nothing but possibilities ahead” of her—and she hasn’t looked back since.

She didn’t always have an interest in telematics, and actually didn’t even know that they existed until the job came along. Her dad was a mechanic and always taught her how to work on her own things, and when she saw a job where she could use those skills, she immediately wanted to do it. 

“I took a job opportunity from a guy I hadn’t talked to in years off from a Facebook message,” Trammell says. “I was coming out of a bad situation and it sounded fun to work in big trucks and travel.” 

“We hit the road. A family friend became my nanny for those first few months and then I hired a more permanent addition,” she says. “In two years I went from a stay-at-home mom to a business owner, all while being a single parent to a toddler and traveling cross country. Everything just kind of fell into place right when I needed it to, I was blessed from the very beginning.” 

Transition to telematics

She now owns Fable Install Co. LLC with her fiancé—who sent her the initial Facebook message—and they have several other technicians working for them. Their company specializes in installation of fleet telematics, GPS, ELDs, 360° camera systems, Wi-Fi systems, and driver safety cameras for police and other public service entities, public transportation, school buses, and public service vehicles. 

This helps increase their clients’ fleet fuel efficiency, decrease collisions, and provide video evidence that may be needed for insurance purposes. 

“Today my job is that I head to the job site, assess the work, and do a couple of installs and make sure that the boys understand the scope of the work and that they’re comfortable with the installs,” Trammell explains. “I field questions and handle whatever problems that come up—and do a lot of paperwork.”

When she initially took on the job, it was basically trial by fire—two days of training and completing a Lytx Installation certificate before she was released on her own. Trammell says you can either withstand the heat of the industry or you quit. 

“I’ll tell anyone, I only learn by making mistakes—and I’ve made plenty of them,” she says. “I’ve cut power wires with the ground and popped a fuse, improperly tested wires, misjudged locations for holes and drilled in the wrong locations, broke bolts off, lost them, stepped on my drill and broke it.” 

“The biggest thing I’ve learned is to make friends in the field,” Trammell shares. “That way, if you're having a problem, you always have someone to ask. There is always somebody out there who knows more than you do. I use all of my friends in the field as resources if I’m having a problem I can't solve on my own. Don't be afraid of looking dumb. Ask lots of questions and get lots of answers.”

Just do it

So how did she go from SAHM to owning her own business? Trammell says there’s no easy answer—she just did it. 

“I wanted an LLC, so I filed for it. We needed work, I looked for it. When my first contract collapsed, I wasn’t willing to let the industry go, even though I had no idea how to continue in it,” Trammell says. “I got my next contract by calling a fleet management company who directed me to a salesman at an installation company. It was a convoluted process but it produced the results I was looking for. There is always a solution for whatever problem you might be facing, even if it takes a minute to find it.”

Trammell thinks that more women are turning to these industries because they’re being taught from a young age that they can do anything—nothing can hold them back. She’s also found that more men are accepting women as a part of the workforce than ever before. 

“Don't get me wrong, it still happens,” she says. “Sometimes when I’m on site, I’m the lead technician and it’s a fight to be recognized as such. Many people will automatically choose to speak to a man on site over me because he’s a man so he must be in charge. But most of the guys I work with absolutely accept me as one of them.” 

Trammell has come a long way and after years of struggle, she loves seeing everything that she’s capable of and that she can do what she loves. 

“Plus, people get so excited to see the new camera equipment and it’s really cool to get it all set up and show them how it works,” she adds. “For the most part, it’s fun. I’ve never had more control over my career than I do at this point. If you’re a woman who is prepared to get dirty and work outside, it’s a great field to be in.”

Plumbing President: Laura Ciriello-Benedict

Ciriello Plumbing is a family business, but when Laura Ciriello-Benedict was growing up, she had no interest in plumbing at all. She had to answer phones, wash trucks, and help clean, so when she went to college, she was determined to take a different route—business and accounting. But when her dad asked her to join the team when she turned 21, she says something just felt different, and she decided to go all in.  

“When I sat for my Master Plumbers License exam—which is three hours written and three hours practical—I was the only woman in the room of over 100 people,” Ciriello-Benedict says. “I aced my test and became one of less than 10 female plumbing contractors in the entire state. Twenty-nine years later, I’m still here!”

Talent and training

Not only is she still there, but she’s the president of the company, a role that she says has evolved to working on the business, and not as much working hands-on in the business. 

“My role is to challenge old ways of thinking, explore new opportunities, and position our team to be better every day,” she says. “Our industry is one of the highest-paying, benefit-heavy career paths anyone could choose. There’s a severe skilled labor shortage, and our industry has cast a large net to bring in new talent. 

“It’s always been apprenticeship-based which means on-the-job training—we are your college,” Ciriello-Benedict continues. “You don’t have to have a background in plumbing to choose plumbing. I always say, ‘If you have an aptitude and an attitude for this work you will be highly successful.’”

She also serves on the Board of Directors for their apprenticeship school, and notes that each year there are more and more women among these graduates. When her company recently had an apprenticeship opening, several women applied. 

“Women understand that the pay and benefits are incredible and the work environment is not what they thought it would be,” Ciriello-Benedict says. “In the past, it was assumed that women could not perform the work and that women would not want to do the work. As always throughout history, once women decide this is what they want to do, the old thinking that they couldn’t do it goes away quickly. I tell my female techs that each day they are continuing to blaze a trail for the women who come after them.” 

Challenging the norm

Despite the growing number of women entering the field, Ciriello-Benedict says that it’s still a challenge to find qualified people. 

“For so long, high schools have pushed a path of college only, and that thinking has failed so many young people,” she says. “They’ve racked up student debt only to drop out of college with no degree, when all along they showed that a hands-on career was what suited them best.”

The most rewarding part of her job is bringing young people into this career path and then watching their lives change for the better. They pay for their apprentices to attend trade school and train them for four years before they’re licensed, so that they come out of that training fully licensed and with no student debt.

“We have a saying here at our shop—we hire character and teach plumbing,” she says. “We’re open to thinking differently. We pursue people to enter our trade that may have never considered it before. You never know until you ask.” 

Luxury logistics: Taty Caro

Taty Caro built a successful career in high-end fashion and jewelry, but when the pandemic hit so did her need for reflection—and a change. She realized that “luxury isn’t a necessity,” and wanted to develop a skill in an industry that “has no end.” 

Her grandparents and uncles had always owned trucks and been in the transportation industry, and at the time Caro was dating someone who was also in the industry—although not quite as successfully.

“I learned from his mistakes,” Caro says. “I shadowed him and decided to start my own company.” 

Instead of starting over from scratch, Caro combined her experience in high-end fashion with her family’s love of cars to start Tats Logistics Inc., which specializes in transporting high-end sports cars, luxury cars, classic cars, vintage cars, antique cars, and autonomous cars. 

They offer what is known as “enclosed auto transport,” a service in which vehicles are loaded and transported in trailers or trucks that are completely enclosed and protected from the elements and weather conditions. They’ve grown to cover 49 states across the country. 

Complement, don’t compete

The transportation industry is broad, and Caro says that depending on the area one selects, there might or might not be any required training or certifications.

There are programs on supply chain management that cover everything from logistics to transportation economics. And while not mandatory, logistics and freight forwarding certifications—like the Certified Transportation Broker (CTB) offered by the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) and Certified international Freight Forwarder (CIFF) offered by International Association of Movers (IAM)—can help you demonstrate your expertise and commitment to the field. That expertise can give you an edge when entering a male-dominated field. 

“I didn’t come to challenge them or compete, but rather to complement,” Caro says. “Men naturally like to interact with women; I use that to my business advantage. I want people’s trust and desire to work with me. I acquire that using my emotional intelligence when interacting with both clients and carriers. Both genders like to be treated with kindness and respect and that’s what I bring to the table.”

Caro thinks the changes in societal norms have empowered women to pursue jobs in her industry, and women are willing to learn. Plus, she adds that these jobs offer very competitive wages and benefits.

“It can be a unique and empowering experience,” Caro says. “Although it may come with its own challenges, it offers a sense of accomplishment. Having to learn things on my own. Having to learn from my own trial and error because there is no one to turn to. But I’m not giving up. There is no Plan B mindset. Things might take longer than I thought, but I will overcome and succeed. I work towards my business goals every single day.”

“Seeing results is incredibly fulfilling.” she adds. “The biggest reward is doing something I wake up looking forward to doing. I like my job. It’s a blessing to be happy working.”  

Spark of success: Mary Stapleton

Mary Stapleton was always interested in professions that girls were discouraged from doing, and it drove her crazy that boys seemed to have more opportunities, choices, and also “just more plain old fun.” 

“I was a major tomboy,” Stapleton says. “I grew up in the ‘60s and ‘70s and feminism was something I heard about and believed in. My friends called me a ‘women’s libber’ and I liked that!”

Stapleton took auto shop classes in high school and wanted a job that was physical since she had a hard time sitting still, so she waitressed and did part-time construction and landscaping. 

“Never did I dream of being an electrician, but I got a job with a production residential electrical contractor and was lucky to land with a really good company that paid really well,” Stapleton says. “Most of my training was on-the-job experience. I started earning fairly quickly, which was a big motivation since I had a young son to support after a divorce. I was basically starting over. 

I passed exams and became a State Certified Journeyman with that company.”

The lightbulb moment

Unfortunately the 2009 recession ended that run of good luck, and she found herself unemployed for the first time in her life—but determined to turn things around. 

“I took the two-year course work at San Diego City College, studied and passed the state exam to get my C-10 license to be an electrical contractor, and started Ms. Sparky Electric in 2010,” she says.

Ms. Sparky Electric services all of San Diego County as commercial and residential electricians that can tackle any electrical job—from lighting design and green technologies to electric vehicle charging station installation. As president, she’s currently  restructuring the company as she’s nearing retirement, focusing most of her efforts on San Diego Gas & Electric upgrades, EV chargers, and lighting installs. But despite her years of success, there have been some roadblocks.

“Good help has been very hard to find since the pandemic, and when I need extra help I bribe, beg, and corral my former employees who have since branched out on their own,” Stapelton says. “I use them as subcontractors, and that’s working out.”

“But one of the main challenges has also been the men themselves!” she continues. “I told myself that I had every right to be out there earning a living, just like them. But every workplace has personality conflicts and I learned to tell myself that the person who was being difficult was likely that way with everyone.”

She adds that she had to really push to get trained or taken under someone’s wing, and learned to do a lot by herself rather than asking for help. 

“You have to have a thick skin and a quick comeback to earn respect,” Stapleton says. “Once everyone saw me keep showing up and doing my job they tended to back off. I always tried to be extra friendly while sticking up for myself. I developed a great sense of pride in being unique out in the field and I really was the only female in my company out there and usually on the whole jobsite.”

Suit up and show up

Stapleton says the greatest reward is not only earning a decent living, but that working with your hands and building things is satisfying—as is breaking through barriers. 

“I think today’s women are tired of being told what they can or cannot do,” Stapleton says. “I wish more young women would consider the trades, especially electrical. It’s a great career choice with great demand.”

She adds that people are very surprised and interested in her journey to becoming an electrician, and that she’s always getting asked how to make it work. Her advice? Once you make a decision, just suit up and show up.

“I promised myself I wouldn’t quit for six months in case I hated it,” she says. “Don’t expect special treatment because you really get just the opposite! Have a sense of humor and don’t take yourself too seriously. A snappy comeback usually does the trick.”

“I feel quite capable and I’ve been able to support myself and my son and provide a stable home,” she continues. “I’ve built a great reputation and I have a very visible presence in the coastal north county area of San Diego, and I’m loving working less hours and being more choosy about the jobs I take on. I never got rich but I have everything I need.”

Cars and community: Mariajosé (Mosé) Barrera

Mariajosé (Mosé) Barrera loved cars ever since she was a little kid, and was born in an entrepreneurial family. Her dad owns a construction company, and growing up they also had hardware stores, so she had her hands in both building materials and the experience of her parents navigating the business. 

“I always dreamed of owning a parts store, and then realized I also had skills for auto repair, just like I did with construction,” Barrera says. “I taught myself how to diagnose problems, fix cars, and eventually run a business.”  

“I was doing the whole car fixing thing as a side project/hustle,” she continues. “A friend pushed me to get my business license and that’s how it all began to take a more serious shape. At the inception of Mosé Auto in 2008, I was working in my parents’ garage.”

Today, Mosé Auto employs five people and provides not only a variety of repair and maintenance services, but also training and information in basic classes both at their shop and at community centers. 

That training focuses on empowering women when it comes to the maintenance of their vehicle, and they’ve spoken at high schools, colleges, and organizations committed to women in trades about alternative career paths like those in the automotive industry.

Find your people

Barrera says she’s been fortunate to have found incredibly supportive male allies in her industry, men who have helped and taught her a lot along the way, who treated her as an equal and also challenged her. 

“As a business owner, I think my experience is different from most,” Barrera says. “However, we still suffer from misogyny, sometimes from clients. No matter who you are, you need to find your ‘people.’ My advice is to move on to find the place where you will be supported, and most importantly, safe. It’s hard not to be discouraged, but there is a place for you in these fields.” 

“I used to hunker down and push through, but I’ve learned to ask for help,” she continues. “So, ask for a different opinion or solution to what you’re facing. Always remember that our challenges most of the time aren’t unique—people have navigated stuff like ours before.” 

The driving force

Barrera also thinks women are being more exposed to more female mechanics, YouTube channels, and “all these badass women out there pioneering the industry” at a scale we haven’t seen before. 

“We’re breaking barriers for ourselves and others, and there’s the allyship of companies to promote talented women to leadership roles,” Barrera says. “Female representation in politics, science, sports, blue-collar fields, etc. is reminding us that we can, that we have a place at all the tables, and that we should take it proudly and be a mentor to others.” 

Barrera says that when she steps back to look at her own journey and can see from the outside what she’s built, that she’s blown away of the evolution of herself as a person and Mosé Auto, as not only a repair shop, but also a community hub, a place to come learn, to come be with friends, to laugh, to dance. 

“Mosé Auto is not only a repair shop, but also a venue,” she says. “We’ve hosted fundraisers, Latinx Dance Nights, our yearly Pride kickoff party, Dykes on Bikes events and meetings, Queer Film Festival screenings and after parties, comedy shows, etc. All those things have made Mosé Auto a brand within itself, and a solid community hub. That to me is success and that makes me proud. 

“I love where I’m at with Mosé Auto and the journey taken along the way,” Barrera continues, “and am excited about what Mosé Auto will become in the near future—always moving and growing.”