Who You Are: Carpenter

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Education

No higher education is required, but experience is essential.

You would be a great carpenter if you:
  • enjoy working with one’s hands
  • have good visual/ spatial relations
  • can lift heavy lumber and tools
  • can plan, design, and carry projects out according to visual plans
What You Do

Carpenters build structures, walls, furniture, and other features with wood. They prepare the layout of the project. They measure height, width, length, and other proportions. They work with blueprints or instructions from supervisors. They use chisels, planes, saws, drills, and sanders to repair and erect structures. They may work on top of stilts, ladders, and the top beams of buildings.

Carpenters erect scaffolding, build tunnel bracing and create structures for pouring concrete. They check work along the way to ensure it is up to code and specifications.