Lianna Faber

Title: HVAC Technician

Company: Veolia Water Long Island

Educational Experience: Electrical Training Center HVAC Diploma Copiague NY; EPA Universal, NORA OSHA 30, Site Safety

Industry Work Experience: I started out in the industry in a technical school in their HVACR program that was six months long. In this technical school, I learned the basics and got my foot in the door of the trades. Then I worked for a gigantic residential oil heating company for almost three years. This is where I had my first in-field training experience for HVACR. Recently, I have decided to focus on an industrial/commercial setting of HVACR. I am working at a plant as an HVAC technician.

What caused you to/when did you enter the HVACR industry?

I was not sure what I wanted to do with my life after high school graduation. I was researching different careers. I wasn’t sure if college was for me, and the cost of it scared me. I started to research trades. That’s when I decided that I wanted to go to a local technical school to become an electrician. I wanted to enter a field that would challenge me and help me acquire new skills. I also knew that if I picked this field, I would be pushed to learn and grow as a person in this trade. I also was looking for a career that was essential and would always provide me with enough money so I would not struggle financially. I decided to take a leap of faith and enrolled in the class.

While in tech school in the electrical training class, I changed my mind and switched to the HVAC program.

What has been the most rewarding aspect of working in HVACR?

Seeing myself grow with knowledge, coming from knowing nothing about HVACR, and seeing where I am today feels super rewarding.

Describe the proudest moment in your career.

During my career, I wanted to encourage and support other women in the HVACR field. This motivated me to start a social group of women in the field to discuss the challenges, accomplishments, and also share our personal experiences in a positive manner. The name of the group that I founded is called Women Pioneers in Unity.

What challenges do women face in this profession?

Women face many challenges in this profession. One challenge I have noticed is that, as a woman in this field, some people will doubt your abilities and capabilities. Some time ago, I went to serve a customer’s boiler, and when I knocked on the door, the customer made a face and said, “You won’t be able to fix it.” Your skills will sometimes be judged by just one look at you.

How can we increase the number of women in HVACR?

We can increase the number of women in HVACR by having more fundraisers to fund scholarships for women’s HVACR technical programs. We can also have high school assemblies and job fairs talking about equal opportunity in the HVACR field. We should have female HVACR career day presentations in public schools.

What does your day-to-day job entail?

My day starts with me getting the work orders for our equipment throughout the buildings in our facility. Some will be PMI/maintenance, and some will be service. We have chillers, boilers, absorbers, air handlers, pumps, motors, etc. Since we have multiple buildings on our large property, our HVACR technicians use golf carts to help transport themselves and their tools. Some work I am responsible for includes belt changes, greasing pumps, changing filters, changing motors, and testing overall function to make sure everything is running safely.

What remains on your HVACR bucket list — what do you aspire to do that you haven’t accomplished yet?

I would like to take more classes and receive additional education in the HVACR industry and meet more women in the HVACR industry. I would also like to encourage and support more women in HVACR and trades by growing Women Pioneers in Unity and officially making it a nonprofit.

What words of advice do you have for females who are considering entering the HVACR field?

My advice is very simple: It’s not gonna be an easy path, but it will be a rewarding one.