Talk to your school counselor about programs and classes like woodworking that are offered at your school so you can start learning skills that will get you started in this field.

Find a class to jump-start your construction skills.

Is someone you know (a neighbor, family member, friend, etc.) working on a home improvement DIY project? Volunteer to help in order to get practice using hand tools, taking measurements, problem solving, and more!

Volunteer to help with a home improvement project.

Search online for how-to videos to see how hard this work is to master--and whether it's something you think you'd like. Does seeing this kind of work in action make you more interested in trying it?

Watch tutorials on how to do this kind of work.

Tapers

Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surface for painting or papering.

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Drywall Installers, Ceiling Tile Installers, and Tapers

Construction and Extraction Occupations

Construction Trades Workers

Spread sealing compound between boards or panels or over cracks, holes, nail heads, or screw heads, using trowels, broadknives, or spatulas.

Press paper tape over joints to embed tape into sealing compound and to seal joints.

Apply additional coats to fill in holes and make surfaces smooth.

Seal joints between plasterboard or other wallboard to prepare wall surfaces for painting or papering.

Spread and smooth cementing material over tape, using trowels or floating machines to blend joints with wall surfaces.

Sand or patch nicks or cracks in plasterboard or wallboard.

Mix sealing compounds by hand or with portable electric mixers.

Work on high ceilings, using scaffolding or other tools, such as stilts.

Select the correct sealing compound or tape.

Countersink nails or screws below surfaces of walls before applying sealing compounds, using hammers or screwdrivers.

Tapers

Overview

Career

What Tapers Do

Other Job Titles Tapers May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Tapers

Overview

Career

What Tapers Do

Other Job Titles Tapers May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Tapers

Related Careers

Related Leaders