What's Different About Working in the Trades

I walked away from Corporate HR thinking I had just changed industries. The truth is, I went from one universe to another. Gone are the sleek glass meeting spaces, the “circle back” marathon conversations, and the buzzwords that can fill a bingo card by 10 a.m.

Instead, service trucks are leaving before the sun rises, tool packs are loading onto vehicles, and teams measure their success based on the number of families that have working heat, air conditioning, plumbing, and electricity during their time of greatest need.

Working for A&T Mechanical has been much more than a career change; it has been entering a world where hard work trumps hard drives every time.

As with anything new, there was some culture shock at first. In corporate HR, communication is polished, rehearsed, and almost always followed by a recap email “for clarity.” In the trades, you get pure honesty—sometimes very unfiltered. But that’s part of the beauty of working here: you always know where you stand. That kind of direct communication builds trust faster than any team-building exercise ever could.

The employees here don’t care about “synergy,” “optimization,” or quarterly initiatives. They care about showing up, producing quality work, and taking pride in a job done right. My focus has shifted from creating policy documents that collect dust to supporting real people—people who bring integrity and craftsmanship to every job.

There’s a loyalty in the trades that’s hard to describe without experiencing it firsthand. Crews build bonds that go far beyond a normal employee-employer dynamic. My role as an HR representative is to support these individuals, understand what they need, and create an environment where they can thrive.

My time at A&T Mechanical has taught me that leadership looks different when you’re wearing steel-toed boots and carrying a tool bag. Accountability isn’t about performance reviews—it’s about doing the right thing when no one’s watching. Culture isn’t a slogan on a wall; it’s the quiet pride shown every time someone finishes a project or solves a problem others couldn’t.

So no, I don’t miss my cubicle or the long conference calls. I’ve traded those for a team that keeps me grounded, makes me laugh, and reminds me daily why I entered Human Resources—to help people who make a real difference.

Written by Rashad Johnson | Updated November 2025