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.

Painters, Construction and Maintenance

Paint walls, equipment, buildings, bridges, and other structural surfaces, using brushes, rollers, and spray guns. May remove old paint to prepare surface prior to painting. May mix colors or oils to obtain desired color or consistency.

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

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

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

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

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

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 administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

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

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

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

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.

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.

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

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

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

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

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Actively looking for ways to help people.

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Painters and Paperhangers

Construction and Extraction Occupations

Construction Trades Workers

Fill cracks, holes, or joints with caulk, putty, plaster, or other fillers, using caulking guns or putty knives.

Cover surfaces with dropcloths or masking tape and paper to protect surfaces during painting.

Smooth surfaces, using sandpaper, scrapers, brushes, steel wool, or sanding machines.

Read work orders or receive instructions from supervisors or homeowners to determine work requirements.

Apply primers or sealers to prepare new surfaces, such as bare wood or metal, for finish coats.

Apply paint, stain, varnish, enamel, or other finishes to equipment, buildings, bridges, or other structures, using brushes, spray guns, or rollers.

Erect scaffolding or swing gates, or set up ladders, to work above ground level.

Mix and match colors of paint, stain, or varnish with oil or thinning and drying additives to obtain desired colors and consistencies.

Calculate amounts of required materials and estimate costs, based on surface measurements or work orders.

Painters, Construction and Maintenance

Overview

Career

What Painters, Construction and Maintenance Do

Other Job Titles Painters, Construction and Maintenance May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Painters, Construction and Maintenance

Overview

Career

What Painters, Construction and Maintenance Do

Other Job Titles Painters, Construction and Maintenance May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Painters, Construction and Maintenance

Majors Related to Career

Related Careers

Related Leaders