Think of any field, and you’re bound to find successful people who didn’t wait for school to teach them how to do their job.
Instead, they dove headlong into what they love, turning a passion into a skill and becoming the best at what they do. And like knives, skills need to be honed and sharpened, especially in the trade industry where skills are an asset. In this industry, hobbies and extra-curricular activities are your whetstone.
Trade careers
Landscaping is among the more accessible trade careers out there. Indeed, serious revenue is made here, enough to make it into a full-time job. But landscaping also presents the perfect mode to get a taste of a major trade industry when not in class. Manufacturing is another area where fields often overlap, including fabricating and construction. Apart from that, home renovation allows students to work with lighting, windows, wiring, and roofing with proper safety equipment and supervision. Car modification is a great way for auto enthusiasts to get a hands on feel of the automotive industry, especially if you plan on being a mechanic or engineer. Vehicle customization can help you develop a keen knowledge on the multitude of car parts from the various manufacturers, and also learn the basics of automobile assembly and aesthetics.
Nick Samain, show manager for the Canadian Manufacturing Technology Show (CMTS), says “The larger demographics of attendees that you’ll find coming to CMTS is for the automotive industry.” Samain is a four-wheel drive enthusiast himself, and an active partici- pant at a Jeep club. “Definitely, motor sports are something. From a student perspective, you don’t need to have a lot of money, you just need to ask around and ask if you can help out and volunteer. The good thing about those types of communities is that you’d mostly find people who want to pass on the knowledge provided there’s interest.”
CMTS is just one of the trade shows that could help students prepare for a career, aside from hobbies. These exhibitions are one of the best ways to see what the industry has to offer and network with others. CMTS heads to Toronto every two years, and of the 10,000 attendees, roughly 700 to 1,000 of them are students in the trade and manufacturing industry. “We see two types of students,” says Samain. “We see the ones who come to the show dressed any way they want, and walk around for magnets and pens. [But also] we see a lot of students who come to the show, and they’re looking at this as a real opportunity to go and make connections.”
Paul Maryschak, BUILDEX show director, adds that it’s the responsibility of the student to get out there and meet people. “It’s all up to the individual student as far as how effective they are with [networking],” says Maryschak. He explains that at the BUILDEX expos, held annually in Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary, you have the chance to meet representatives from various companies dealing with interior design, renovation, construction, and real estate management. You also have to opportunity to meet top execs and vice-presidents, who walk the show floor and attend the seminars themselves. “If you want to meet with some higher-ups, there’s defi- nitely plenty of opportunity there.”
Practice makes perfect
At the core of any trade hobby is the idea that practice makes perfect. Samain asserts that when it comes to the field of design, students should work it into their daily routine, even if they’re designing something for their apartment. In addition, schools typically make computer programs in design available for students at dirt cheap prices, so saying you’re broke is no excuse. The more adept you are with a skill set, the eas- ier it could be to transfer it from one field to another, explains Maryschak. “Just because you’re in interior design doesn’t mean you have to work for an interior design company; you may end up working for a builder,” he says.
One thing to note with some types of trades is that they require supervision, especially for novices. This makes having one as a basement hobby rather difficult. So whether you’re working with heavy machinery or hazardous material in the classroom, or sharpening your welding skills in your garage, make sure you’re doing it with someone who’s experienced. “If you’re going to try something, ask,” Samain insists.
Learning never depended on having to open a text book. In fact it’s quite the opposite. It’s the hands on experience that really solidifies your skill sets. When not in the classroom taking notes from the instructor, or in the library studying for that exam, you should make the time to get your feet wet, and look for opportunities to meet those who are doing what you love, no matter the industry.