Bambi Rice, Carpenter Apprentice 
 

Bambi Rice, Carpenter Apprentice 

Bambi Rice is a carpenter apprentice in the Willamette Carpenter Training Center interior/exterior apprenticeship program. When she talks about her profession she practically glows with pride. 

"I got into the trade because my brothers, my ex-husband were all dry -wallers- I worked as their helper for years and years. When I decided to go into it myself, I prepared myself mentally and physically. I talked to my family and children (Bambi has three children:10, 8 & 6). They said if I love it-then go for it! 

I went into the B-Fit program and set certain goals for myself. I did it one step at a time. I wake up in the morning between 3:30 and 5, depending on how far I have to go. I work on the average 9 hours a day. I have a great boss-he makes the day go fast and makes it fun-that's good because we have a lot of stress that we work under-lots of deadlines and work rules. 

I work very hard- I do lots of lifting. Anyone who gets into this trade-I suggest they do some serious weight training first. Right now I'm working on Forest Grove High School putting in acoustical ceilings and slopes, angles and radius walls. I have to figure out exact angles-have to do a lot of math. B-FIT did a great job of refreshing my math skills. 

In apprenticeship school my instructors are really good-any questions you have-they can answer. It's not just book learning-they work our in the real world and teach you stuff you can use. 

My last project at school was working with my classmates to make a miniature house. We put in a radius wall, sofits, floor system, gable roof with a dormer, circular window. 

I hated math at first, but it's simple now because I'm using it all the time. 

I like to work and to be moving around. I like the physical part of my job-I don't have to work out at the gym-they pay me to work out. 

What I don't like is working around itchy crap-monocating, ceramic acoustical tile, fire safety insulation. I'm careful that my kids aren't exposed to the stuff on my clothing. 

In the beginning, I would come home and be so exhausted--I'm a mother too and that's a job in itself--I can't come home and just do nothing. We're pretty scheduled at home. We keep to a routine so it's not so hectic for me. 

Beginning tradeswomen should remember that no matter how hard it gets, don't give up-eventually it all works out. The benefits I receive are far greater than the hardships I go through. I feel good at the end of the day. 
I love the finished product, looking at it and knowing I had a part in creating it. I love being able to take good care of my kids and create a good life for them.