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Myth 10
The trades are too physically
demanding
Because many of the jobs we think of as “manual
labor” fall into the mix of the skilled trades, there
is a myth that all trades jobs are extremely
physically demanding. This assumption can turn
people off from the trades for several reasons.
Some may assume they aren’t strong enough
or fit enough for jobs in the trades, while others
might just not like the idea of having extremely
strenuous workdays or coming home each
evening feeling physically exhausted.
A lot of jobs in the trades do bring significant
physical demands. Physical strength and
stamina are essential for many jobs in construc-
tion. Farmers, arborists, electrical linemen,
landscapers, and orderlies are other trades
careers that you will likely find on any list of the
most physically demanding jobs.
However, the good news is that the trades
are also extremely diverse. For every job that
requires a great deal of physical strength and
agility, there is another position that won’t have
the same demands. After all, the skilled trades
umbrella includes many jobs in engineering,
design, planning, estimating, project manage-
ment, and administrative functions—all of which
tend to be more office-based than field-based.