As a current Heating, Ventilation and A/C professional, I got to go on the dirtiest Heating, Ventilation and A/C calls that came into the business.
I had the opportunity to go with an experienced HVAC tech, but I did the dirty work.
At first I thought it was because I was a woman, however after a couple years, I realized it was the way they initiated all the new HVAC technicians. I assume they felt that if you could handle the dirty jobs, you could handle any job that came up. I learned a lot while in that first year at the Heating, Ventilation and A/C business. I also acquired a lot of confidence in myself. I knew there were some jobs that I excelled at in addition to others that I was okay at. However, there were some HVAC techs who did better. I normally didn’t pick and choose which job I would take, however last month was an exception. They gave me a job at a house to go to that only needed a simple HVAC inspection in addition to a service check. I instantly could feel the hairs on the back of my neck rest on end. I asked if there was something else I could do and just to let someone else have this job. The dispatcher looked at me oddly. I swallowed and then told her that house was where my ex boyfriend lived. He and I split when I refused to give up on the idea of being an Heating, Ventilation and A/C serviceman. He didn’t think a lady should be an HVAC tech, and that it was only a man’s job. Fortunately, the dispatcher told me she could easily find me something else, however it wouldn’t be as easy of a job as this one. I smiled and told her how appreciative I was that she made arrangements for my benefit.