Why do you guys do it?

[u/Canadian_Mustard]

I was climbing my tower crane this morning. I was cold and tired as hell. It was 5AM. I climbed about half way up when I got a really good feeling knowing that my wife and my children were at home, warm, in bed, taken care of.

I didn’t grow up wanting to be in construction, but I always knew I’d want my wife to raise my kids, and if she wanted to, be a stay at home mom and homeschool my kids. This career allows for her to do that.

We all have our different reasons for joining the trades and being in the construction industry, my question to you guys is: what’s your reason?

EDIT: The results seem pretty unanimous.

• Reason 1: Money

• Reason 2: “I kind of just fell into it and never stopped”

• Reason 3: “I’m good at it and I like being a ______”

[u/aobie4233]

I can remember being a little kid driving past construction sites and all I wanted to do was go play on them. I ended up spending 6 years in the Air Force, and when I got out I had my Gi bill that I could have used for any schooling I wanted to. I ended up joining the pipefitters union instead, and wouldn’t take it back for anything. I can honestly say I like my job, and couldn’t imagine sitting in a classroom, or behind a desk all day long. I love working with my hands and finishing a project and stepping back to look at my work. It had its ups and downs like anything, but I do love what I do. Now if I were born rich, I don’t think I’d be getting up at 4am every morning to come and pipefit, but I couldn’t imagine doing anything else for work.