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A female electrician has said she likes everything about her job except the male customers who question her ability.
Bethany Andrews, 24, an industrial electrician from Kent, UK, was concerned about a career in an industry heavily run by men.
Despite encouragement and continued support from her family and friends, Beth has faced negative sexist comments.
She has even dealt with incidents where male clients seek a second opinion, assuming her expertise is lacking because of her gender.
Bethany Andrews, 24, an industrial electrician from Kent, has said she loves everything about her job – except the male clients who question her ability
A feminine spark: Beth says she loves working as an industrial electrician and feels she is inspiring a new generation of younger women to try the job
Beth says people often think she can’t handle the job and question her opinion because she’s feminine and young
Beth said, “I’ve had clients question my ability. If I misdiagnose and tell them the outcome, they say they want a second opinion. I don’t know if it’s because I’m a woman or if I’m young – or both?
“I also get the ‘why don’t you make sandwiches’ comment, but being in this industry you need a thick skin, so I don’t mind the comments.
“And I get a strange look that lingers a little too long and makes me feel uncomfortable.”
However, her thick skin has helped her thrive in her career and Beth is inspiring a future generation of women to choose this industry for their profession.
The 24-year-old posts videos of herself at work on her Instagram account and jokes that she spends all her money on tools
Beth (pictured here as an electrician) said she decided to take up the trade after realizing she could wire a plug faster than anyone she knew
Beth initially went to college to study travel and tourism but then a friend said she wasn’t living up to her potential so she changed course
Beth (pictured) usually works alone, but says on the occasions she works with other people she always smiles while getting the job done
Family Genes: Beth says her three-generation family is full of motorcycle mechanics, engineers, and electricians
Recently, she’s stepped into the world of social media and created an Instagram page @beth_electrical, dedicated to her journey as a female electrician, which she says has made her feel more confident.
Beth said, “I only started my account in January of this year. I’ve never been one for social media, so this was really stepping out of my comfort zone.
“In general, most people are very respectful and make me feel welcome.
“Most people are nice on social media and I get messages from other women that I’ve inspired them to get into the business, which is so heartwarming.”
Beth also states that the older generation who work in the same industry welcomed her with open arms.
She said: ‘Before I started I was concerned that there would be a stigma and strong beliefs against me in this role, especially from the older people on the premises, as they are from a generation where the woman traditionally stays at home and cooks while the man goes to work.
“I shouldn’t have made this assumption because they were so welcoming and taught me so much. Even my work bestie is from that generation.
“Most of the time I work alone, but every now and then, when I’m working with someone else, we’ll laugh and get the job done. It’s a really good atmosphere.’
Beth (pictured) believes that some male clients don’t really appreciate her at work because she’s a young woman
Beth (pictured here with a candy on her tongue) was initially concerned about a career in an industry heavily run by men
Recently Beth (pictured here at work) has started posting about her job on Instagram under @beth_electrical
Beth at work: She says the older generation has welcomed her with open arms and has been very supportive
Beth comes from a family of mechanics and engineers, with relatives who work on railroads or are home electricians
Beth said her love of electricity runs in the family.
She said, “When I was a kid, I played with both JCB plastic tools and Barbies. So I think there was always something in me that liked the idea of construction.
“And I have motorcycle mechanics and engineers in my family.
‘My uncle who lives in Scotland is a domestic electrician and my brother-in-law is a railway electrician. My great-grandfather who lives in Scotland was also an electrician.’
Beth revealed how she finally decided to embark on this career, saying that she beat a whole bunch of guys to plug in a plug in the fastest time.
She said: ‘I decided to study travel and tourism, but in the summer break between the start of university, my friend said she thought I had more potential and should choose something else.
‘I called the university of applied sciences and asked if I wanted to change my education to electrical installations.
“I went to an open house and for some reason I dragged my friends into the electrical department.
‘I had to plug in a plug and I did it in the fastest time of anyone.’