The job responsibilities are not usually so dangerous that fatal accidents are common, but it is possible when working on transmission lines or high-voltage projects. It seems that as we are on the front line turning peoples electricity off and generally getting in peoples way, it means we are first in the firing line when things go wrong.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'sparkybase_com-box-4','ezslot_1',124,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sparkybase_com-box-4-0'); Take today as an example. This electrician will be in charge of showing you the ropes and teaching you everything youll need to know to work as a full-fledged technician. Reddit's International Electrical Worker Community In particular, younger workers are disproportionately represented in the field. But once you reach the ages of 40, 45, 50, and higher, youre not going to be able to move around the same way you used to. You can start your own electrical repair company up. Electrical work is a growing trade. There comes a time when your body refuses to keep going. If you want to earn a good amount, seriously, go on a plastering course or get into kitchen fitting. Environmental conditions. Below I'll break them down into a very brief guide to highlight what some electricians' beef is with the industry. Electrician trade schools can teach important skills on circuitry, safety and basic electrical information. It creates the opportunity to do so cash jobs. Long story short, there was one bad connector and even the light tap or vibration would cause it to loose contact and machine to turn off. No degree needed: You don't have to go to college to become an electrician. The top-paying states for electricians are largely concentrated in the midwest, with the highest-paying state being Alaska. Annually. In addition, they are required to perform various safety tests to ensure that their electrical systems are safe and functional. Which I had been excited about for a long time. It can take several years for you to complete your apprenticeship. I genuinely never touched her power and it had nothing to do with me, but getting blamed for things like that is part and parcel of the job. I only worked 40 hours in December because the past 6 months I woke up hating my job, hating my life, hating the person I've became. You have to ask yourself who these people are that are saying it's dead out there, and why they are saying it? You can also find work with a commercial or industrial company that hires electricians. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. I have worked as a professional electrician for many years and like to use my experience to help others in any little way I can. 4 #4: The Artificial Arrogance. The minimum amount of time it takes to open a business of your own is five years, but a more realistic expectation of the circumstances puts that timeframe more in a 10-year window. In 2016. Full Forum Listing. Some of their most common job duties include: Developing cost estimates. You can also get help from your friends or coworkers. It might be up to you to supply your own tools. With a birthday approaching, I'm reliably informed that choosing gifts for men is hard, but I'm afraid I have to disagree. In 2011 I received this message from a builder I was contracted to. I'm quite happy with my decision to get into the trade even if I where to take a different career path later. These are the only guys I'm seeing making money any more. I was away at the weekend & the electrician came round to fix something. Today, I want the same thing, but I've made some educational moves that might be Hi guys I'm after some clarification on this, I am a gold car jib electrician but haven't done my testing and inspection but our supervisors are Hi folks, Youll Have to Work a Lot of Odd Hours, 3. You must follow specific building codes. I let other peoples influences of "have a career, life is great." Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. In addition, the prevalence was higher among male workers (32.8%) than female workers (29.4%). Here's the most important thing any electrician will tell you: Never, ever ignore the warning signs of problems in your electrical system. 2 Cons of Being an Electrician. While electricians often work in indoor spaces like homes, factories and businesses, they frequently perform their duties outside as well. These will all contribute to the cost of living as an electrician. Why not to become an electrician. Thats why there is an extensive screening process that all applicants go through whenever there is some availability present. Occupational disparities in smoking prevalence represent a critical public health concern. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Why am I writing to you today? By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. And after high school I did a couple of years in college in the electrical tech program. 4) If You Plan on Becoming an Electrician, You Need a License. Current smokers were less likely to report a high level of excellent health and were more likely to report exposure to dust, chemicals, and cigarette smoke. Youre going to be pulling and clipping wire constantly. Apprentices that throw in the towel usually do so because they are bored to death by their apprenticeships. It explains my new hobbies and passion. Engineering is a great field to get into. Believe it or not, electricians can actually work very long hours. - Able to work independently and in a group. Why did I quit engineering? An apprenticeship is a great way to secure a great future. This represents a very small percentage of the total number of electricians. I thought it would be a great opportunity to learn and advance, but it turns out it's not that great. You dont earn as much as a fully licensed electrician, but the wages are better than what youd get at McDonalds or delivering pizzas. Manage Settings Most of the colleagues are great, but because of our electrician boss, I started hating every second of this job. But still, its a reminder that working as an electrician can bea very dangerous job. So that's the 7 main reasons in a nutshell. A very difficult balancing act to juggle. You will make the lives of others better, and even . The construction industry can be quite a macho industry at times and unfortunately, this attracts some people that can only really be described as bullies. You can also use the internet to your advantage and read blogs aboutlaunching an electrician career. They owe more than $1.5 trillion collectively with the average college graduate owing approximately $37,000 when they leave school. However, asking senior management or junior workers directly can be hard. Whether it's a popping noise from an outlet, a light switch that runs extremely hot, or a breaker that won't reset, it's important that you take every issue seriously. There are lots of college grads out there who are having trouble finding work in 2018 despite the strong job market. Being flexible with the ability to adapt to constant change while working in different environments is a key ingredient to being a true craftsman. Here are five reasons why workers are jumping ship. With my passion being outdoors is there any career choices that don't require a degree? Its a young mans game to run power lines up on poles along the side of the road at 2 am. I was fortunate to work pretty steady for my 31 years. Regulation changes was a common reason for quitting from older electricians we spoke to who were approaching retirement age. If the physics of electricity fascinates you, you should be aware that working as an electrician is stressful, according to US News. My boss seems super nice about it. Mrbubblesgirl . 3. Your work as an electrician means that no two days will usually be the same. Step 4: Inspect the Breaker Panel. Continuing education requirements are almost always necessary. Working as an electrician isnot a normal 9-to-5 job. My cousin told me about joining the apprenticeship while I was in college. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. As in, Ive been doing this for 10 years and I wanna know if Im eligible to just take a test and see where my rankings are and obviously I want my own business in doing so. But the rewards of being an electrician far outweigh the risks and make it worthwhile. 8 #8: The Cubicle Conundrum. As an electrician apprentice, you'll learn to install, maintain, and repair electrical systems in either home, businesses, and manufacturing plants. He just has a need to feed his ego. 31 years is a long time! Electricians have a higher rate of workplace-related injuries than the average rate of incidents in the United States. Being an electrician is definitely more physical than working behind a desk, but many people prefer physical activity over sitting at a desk all day. 1. The best part of the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network is that most members are female. Those opportunities at that level of education are few and far between. I almost feel like i'm annoying him. I wanted to end on a high note by being clear that as stated in the beginning I love being an electrician. There are some electrical jobs that are relatively simple. It is mate, but it's what you make of it. aka The Great Reddit Council of Electricians 1. Next thing you know, he blamed and attacked me for causing a short and that I'm the reason why machine didn't work for few hours. I enjoy the challenge of troubleshooting and since I became a journeyman I've really started to grow, as an apprentice your going to do a lot of bitch work and repetitive stuff. An electrician is a skilled tradesperson working in the construction business who specialises in the design, installation, maintenance, and repair of power systems. Privacy Policy. A forum community dedicated to professional electricians, contractors, and apprentices for residential and commercial work. These . If i mess up, he just complains. Answer (1 of 10): Most of the work of an electrician is non-elextrical. You dont need to have an undergraduate degree to begin working as an electrician. There are plenty of careers out there you can learn faster and make more money at.