Okay, so you rocked that wood shop class last semester and now you're thinking a career in the field might be a nice fit for your capable hands. Before you go full-on Bob Vila, though, let's take a deep look into what the world of a woodworker is really like.

The life of a woodworker is often seen as that of a craftsman. Whether painstakingly carving a canoe by hand or building kitchen cabinets to precise specifications, an eye for detail is super important. However, nowadays, there's a heavy influence of machines that removes some of the duties once carried out by the hands of a skilled worker and places them in the applications of computerized machinery.

 

You can even learn how to properly frame your friends. (Source)

For those looking to get their hands dirty, fear not—there are still plenty of skilled craftsman making exquisite wood products by hand. These workers tend to also be business-savvy entrepreneurs willing to work either in small shops with a few fellow labor lovers or for themselves, handling all aspects of their business. Whether soliciting business, working with customers, or bookkeeping, there are an array of duties concerned with business operations that go into carving out your own woodworking enterprise.

Your skills should come in handy when you find yourself too strapped for cash to buy that coffee table you really need (too bad you can't also carve up some food). With a median salary of $28,000, there's not a ton of cash flow in the field, that's for sure (source). Those who go into business for themselves increase their chances for making more serious moolah, but that kind of move requires major investment (both financially and personally). 

At its core, woodworking requires an incredible amount of skill and precision. Even if you're working with machines more than with your hands, you'll still need to have a firm grasp on what the product should look like and the knowledge to determine whether the finished product is worthy of purchase.

Additionally, woodworkers must have a solid understanding of mathematics, especially geometry, as a large part of the job requires taking and calculating measurements. Because of the prevalence of computers in today's woodworking operations, some training in computer science is also handy when preparing to work in the field.

 

Break out those protractors, woodworkers-to-be. (Source)

Safety is also incredibly important when it comes to woodworking. If you have a tendency to disobey the rules or goof off on the job, you might want to consider another profession. Anything less than pure concentration as a woodworker could result in some gnarly injuries and possibly take you out of the game for good. It's kinda difficult to do your job if you're missing a limb, you know?

No experience under your tool belt? No problem. You can hunt out an apprentice position that will allow you to learn on the job. For woodworkers, it's all about hands-on training. Whether you take wood shop in school or just learn the tricks of the trade from a mentor, there are a number of basic skills you can pick up to help you prepare for the field. 

• More