Career Information #2 - Essay Example

Carpenters typically work with wood and incidental material from which they construct many objects, primarily boats, buildings and cabinets. (US Bureau of Labor Statistics) Additionally, carpenters repair and renovate buildings and can build, install and repair other fixtures. Carpenters can specialize in a particular form of construction or they may engage in varied trade. (US Bureau of Labor Statistics) In any event, carpentry can require long periods of standing, frequent mobility, kneeling and bending so the risk of injury is heightened.

Injury is also made possible by the use of carpentry tools. (US Bureau of Labor Statistics) In order to pursue a career in carpentry in general it is necessary to have a “preference for physical work”, to know how to read and interpret blue prints and to have an “interest in working with power tools.” (Today’s Military) A military carpenter is referred to as a Construction Specialists and this job entails the construction of foundations, floor slabs, walls, food framing, roof laying, tile laying, step and stair construction and the construction of “temporary shelters.

” (Today’s Military) The military provides training which combines carpentry with masonry. (Today’s Military) In any case training is gained by virtue of hands-on experience and “advanced courses.” (Today’s Military) Civilian carpenters are required to have at least three to four years on the job experience as well as course training to qualify as a carpenter. (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009) Carpenters can become certified with sufficient training as journeypersons, scaffold building, pump work or high torque bolting.

(Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009) While there is an obvious need for carpenters in the military since they continuously construct temporary shelters for storage and other military needs, civilian demand for carpenters will correspond with construction activities. The more construction that takes place the greater the need for carpenters. (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009) Likewise the demand for carpentry corresponds with the size of the population in any geographical area.

For example a highly populated area will likely have a greater demand for carpentry than a sparsely populated area. (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009) The home construction carpenter earn the highest hourly wage at US$17.38 in 2006. (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009) “Foundation, structure, and building exterior contractors” earned US$17.03 hourly, while “non-residential building” carpenter earned US$15.12 an hour. The carpenter in “employment services” earned only US$10.

88 an hour in 2006. The hourly income of all outdoor carpenters can be impacted by bad weather so that income is reduced by the number of hours not worked. Typically, carpenters work 40 hours a week, but can work more or less hours depending on deadlines and demand for services. (Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009)BibliographyBureau of Labor Statistics: Carpenters. (n.d.) Available online at: http://www.bls.gov/k12/build01.htm Retrieved Feb. 14, 2009.Occupational Outlook Handbook. (2008-2009) Online at: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos202.

htm Retrieved Feb. 14, 2009.Today’s Military. (n.d.) Available online at: http://www.todaysmilitary.com/careers/job-listings/construction-specialists Retrieved Feb. 14, 2009.