While finishing a contract as a material coordinator, I had the opportunity to view the shop from an office perspective. Sitting in on meetings and hearing about projects underway gave me a behind‑the‑scenes look at operations and sparked my curiosity about the work happening on the floor. When my contract ended, I was offered the chance to start a machinist apprenticeship. Although I didn’t fully understand what machining involved at the time, I knew I wanted to learn more—and I decided to take the leap.
Starting in the trade was both exciting and intimidating. Seeing the lathes run for the first time was overwhelming, and on my first day as an apprentice, I was upfront about my experience level. I shared that I was new but eager to learn and give it my best. That meant starting from the ground up, including learning to use basic tools and read measuring tape. While humbling, the experience was made easier by patient mentors and supportive coworkers who encouraged my growth.
Like many apprentices, I faced a steep learning curve. There was a lot of new information all at once, and I also had to become more mindful of my physical limits and learn safer ways to approach physically demanding tasks. Ultimately, the greatest barrier I faced was a lack of experience—something I knew would improve with time, practice, and hands‑on learning.
I am now finishing my apprenticeship as a fourth‑year Machinist. I completed three blocks of schooling at NAIT and chose to challenge my fourth year. After returning home to Fort McMurray for the third time, I took an alternative route with my company’s support. I spent two months studying for my fourth‑year ILMs on my days off while continuing shift work. I successfully passed both my fourth‑year exam and my Red Seal exam. Although balancing work and studying led to moments of burnout, the accomplishment made the effort worthwhile. I am now completing the remaining hours needed to officially finish my apprenticeship.
What I enjoy most about machining is its creativity. Turning raw metal into precise, functional parts feels like a form of art rooted in craftsmanship and problem‑solving. One of my proudest accomplishments is putting myself through school. I paid for my own education, planned for living expenses in another city, and remained fully committed to my learning.
Looking ahead, my goal is to become proficient on every machine in the shop while working toward earning my Blue Seal. For women considering the trades, my advice is simple: be open to learning, ask for help, and allow yourself to be a beginner. No one expects you to know everything on day one.
And just for fun, a creative fact from my time in the trades: brass can be patinated using hard‑boiled eggs. The eggs release hydrogen sulfide gas, and when sealed in a bag with the brass, they create a rich gunmetal finish—simple, unexpected, and surprisingly beautiful.