* 2000 | Germany
Field: Technology
Architectural Draftsman | Carpenter
My Work:
Journeyman Carpenter • Miss Handwerk 2024
Brief job description:
Roofing & house framing (wood-frame construction), wood siding, insulation, patio covers, patios, dormers
Lea Marie Heuer
"Above all, my wish is that it becomes completely normal for women to work in male-dominated fields, such as STEM and the skilled trades.
Women should no longer be patronized, but taken seriously when they pursue these professions.
Furthermore, gender should never be grounds for disqualification when making hiring decisions. For neither gender, nor background, nor religion is what truly matters. What counts is that a person has the passion to create something.
Before I firmly committed to my apprenticeship as a carpenter, I still harbored a few apprehensions. It helped me immensely to connect with female carpenters via social media and ask them what their experience was like working as women in construction and in the trade. Their positive feedback gave me the encouragement I needed to pursue the apprenticeship."
Her vision for “Women in STEM”
Above all, internships helped me find my path. That’s how I was able to figure out what my strengths and weaknesses are, and what I like and don’t like about a particular profession. It also helped me a lot to reach out to women who were already working as carpenters in the trades. They shared their personal experiences with me, which helped ease my fears.
Did you have a clear idea of what your future would look like when you were a child?
As a child, I was constantly coming up with new ideas about what I would eventually become. For a very long time, “princess” was my top choice. Eventually, that evolved into “florist,” and then “architect.” That is why I initially completed an apprenticeship as a technical drafter in the construction field; my plan was, in fact, to go on to study architecture afterward. My ideas about what I wanted to become changed often, but looking back, I’ve realized that I never once felt the desire to pursue a trade or profession typically viewed as “men’s work” such as working in the skilled trades as a carpenter.
I knew that the skilled trades existed and that anyone could complete an apprenticeship in them. Yet, despite this knowledge, I never truly envisioned the trades as a viable option for me as a woman.
Which person(s) or experience(s) had the greatest influence on your decision about what career to pursue, and why?
Fortunately, my mom always gave us free rein, telling us: “As long as you can make a living from whatever job you eventually choose, you should do what makes you happy.” In school, however, specifically on the part of the teachers, the constant push was for as many students as possible to complete their *Abitur* and then go on to university. Higher education was always touted as the ideal path, while vocational training was, by contrast, consistently downplayed. Consequently, my goal was always to attend university. That is, until I realized that I would much rather work in the skilled trades. While the trades and university studies are by no means mutually exclusive, I personally discovered my true passion in the trades and found my path without ever needing to pursue a degree.
Please tell us how your interest in your profession, field of study, or trade was sparked.
After graduating from high school, I completed an apprenticeship as a technical drafter in construction. During this training, mandatory internships on actual construction sites are required; it was through these experiences that I realized just how much I enjoy working in the building trades. I was unsure whether I was physically up to the task, but I had firmly decided to train as a carpenter, so I started this apprenticeship directly after completing my training as a construction draftsman. Since the summer of 2023, I have been working as a journeyman carpenter, and every single day, I am renewed in my happiness that I had the courage to follow this path.
What do you like most about your current job?
I love working outdoors, in the fresh air, alongside my colleagues. The feeling of being fully present with your whole body and being able to create something is incredible. At the end of the day, you can see exactly what you’ve accomplished; it fills me with such pride every time I stand before a finished house or roof and can say, “Yes, I built that! Together with my colleagues, we created something monumental.” What’s more, it never gets boring. Every construction site is different and presents its own unique challenges, ensuring that not only your body but also your mind is constantly put to the test.
These qualities have helped me along the way:
What has helped me most along the way is my perseverance, because when I really want something, I fight for it. I did face a few obstacles that I had to overcome during my training, but I was determined to become a carpenter, so I didn’t let them hold me back for long. Plus, I always have my family and friends, who stand by me and support me in my decisions.
If you could give young women some advice, what would it be?
Above all, internships helped me find my path. That’s how I was able to figure out what my strengths and weaknesses are, and what I like and don’t like about a particular profession. It also helped me a lot to reach out to women who were already working as carpenters in the trades. They shared their personal experiences with me, which helped ease my fears.
More about Lea and Contact
Öffnungszeiten
Bitte beachten Sie unsere aktuellen Hinweise.
Kontakt
Tel. 069 / 713 79 69-0
Das Telefon ist von Mo. – Fr. zwischen 10:00 Uhr und 12:00 Uhr besetzt.
Fax 069 / 713 79 69-190
info@experiminta.de
