3 answers
ABRAHAM
Student
Naples, Florida
1
Question
Updated
624 views
What steps should I take in high school if I want to become an electrician?
I’m interested in becoming an electrician in the future. What classes, training programs, or apprenticeships should I look into now to prepare for this career?
Login to comment
3 answers
Roger Chance
Risk management attorney
16
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Roger’s Answer
If you haven't yet, take an electronics course if your school has one. You'll learn the basics about current flow, grounding, components, etc. If your school or school system has vocational training, see about electrician training. You'll need to learn the National Electric Code NEC, and safety rules and practices - VERY IMPORTANT; this can be dangerous work. Youtube is a great resource for all of that. I'd check the IBEW - International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers - website, too. That's the electricians' union, which depending where you live, you may have to join or you may choose to join it. I'm sure that website will be able to guide you how to prepare for a career as an electrician.
It's not my job anymore, but I have been both an electronics technician and an electrician many, many years ago, and as you may know a journeyman electrician typically works with "big stuff" - structure wiring, conduits (pipes - which you'll learn how to shape and bend), breaker panels, transformers, etc. There's also work done in the ground, too. But it's important to understand electronic devices that you may have to install or change out - typically referred to as low voltage.
It's interesting work, can be fun and rewarding, but a lot of it is WORK, but enjoyable. The world needs tradesmen and you'll be earning a good living while a lot of your buddies are paying huge student loans (not knocking college, lol. I have multiple degrees, myself.)
Good luck!
Find the IBEW website (probably ibew.org)
Search youtube or tiktok for videos
It's not my job anymore, but I have been both an electronics technician and an electrician many, many years ago, and as you may know a journeyman electrician typically works with "big stuff" - structure wiring, conduits (pipes - which you'll learn how to shape and bend), breaker panels, transformers, etc. There's also work done in the ground, too. But it's important to understand electronic devices that you may have to install or change out - typically referred to as low voltage.
It's interesting work, can be fun and rewarding, but a lot of it is WORK, but enjoyable. The world needs tradesmen and you'll be earning a good living while a lot of your buddies are paying huge student loans (not knocking college, lol. I have multiple degrees, myself.)
Good luck!
Roger recommends the following next steps:
Liam Rielly
Data Center Technician
192
Answers
Manassas, Virginia
Updated
Liam’s Answer
Figure out how to maintain relationships and friendships. This forum is going to tell you what to know and yes math, science, and reading skills are basics but are not mandatory. Being an electrician is about who you know and not what you know. Figure out how to make friends with people broadly. To put this in high school terms be friends with the freaks, the geeks, and the jocks as well as the teachers and principal. Get a positive outlook on hard work and don't let anything or anyone hurt your feelings! If you are in a situation where it is difficult to be social at school, try to volunteer for small organization locally. Being a helper for habitat for humanity or a similar organization can look ambitious and set you apart from other people trying to get the same job.
Be competitive. Think about what is going to make you look like the better choice for someone trying to bring someone into the trades. Electricians are not wizards, they are people. The hardest thing to prove but is the first thing that an employer is going to look for is are you trustworthy. Can they trust you with the job they have you on? Can they trust you with expensive equipment and tools? Can they trust you to show up on time early Monday morning? Can they trust you when they pair you up with someone that is a problem person? If you cannot maintain a relationship that way then it will be hard to keep a job as an electrician.
Finally to mirror the other answers, you need to know high school level math, high school level reading and comprehension, and have some knowledge of how electricity works (volts, amps, watts, frequency, etc). I started the apprenticeship about eight years after high school and I (forgot) couldn't do long division anymore. I got a study book and set aside time for myself to do math by myself for myself asking co-workers how to do things I didn't know. This got me through the entrance exam for the apprenticeship and that allowed me to become competitive moving forward in the apprenticeship! The people I lost out to (did better than me past the apprenticeship) made friendships and relationships along the way and were able to slip into jobs easily where I had to start fresh over and over.
I'll list out some tasks below and you should be able to do all of them.
Read a tape measure in SAE and metric (YES THE USA USES BOTH SAE AND METRIC LEARN BOTH NO EXCUSES!)
Learn Ohms Law and Powers Law from Kahn Academy or Youtube or similar.
Figure out how to keep your math notes from class past the end of the school year just to keep fresh.
Read books, not online, paper books, they can be any topic or any length to keep sharp.
Start making relationships that will follow you out of high school. Network now and keep that skill.
Be competitive. Think about what is going to make you look like the better choice for someone trying to bring someone into the trades. Electricians are not wizards, they are people. The hardest thing to prove but is the first thing that an employer is going to look for is are you trustworthy. Can they trust you with the job they have you on? Can they trust you with expensive equipment and tools? Can they trust you to show up on time early Monday morning? Can they trust you when they pair you up with someone that is a problem person? If you cannot maintain a relationship that way then it will be hard to keep a job as an electrician.
Finally to mirror the other answers, you need to know high school level math, high school level reading and comprehension, and have some knowledge of how electricity works (volts, amps, watts, frequency, etc). I started the apprenticeship about eight years after high school and I (forgot) couldn't do long division anymore. I got a study book and set aside time for myself to do math by myself for myself asking co-workers how to do things I didn't know. This got me through the entrance exam for the apprenticeship and that allowed me to become competitive moving forward in the apprenticeship! The people I lost out to (did better than me past the apprenticeship) made friendships and relationships along the way and were able to slip into jobs easily where I had to start fresh over and over.
I'll list out some tasks below and you should be able to do all of them.
Liam recommends the following next steps:
Folayemi Adebayo
Software Engineer
15
Answers
Grambling, Louisiana
Updated
Folayemi’s Answer
Hi Abraham!
On the academic side, focus on math especially algebra and geometry since electricians use these constantly, and take physics if your school offers it as it builds a strong foundation for understanding how electricity works. If your school has a vocational or career and technical education program, that is where you want to be — many offer electrical or trade related courses that give you hands on experience early.
Outside of school, look into pre-apprenticeship programs in your area as some are available to high school students. Organizations like the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers also offer apprenticeship programs after high school that combine paid on the job training with classroom instruction, which is the most common pathway into becoming a licensed electrician. Getting a part time job or shadowing a local electrician is also a great way to build real world exposure and industry connections early.
The trades are in high demand right now so you are choosing a career with strong job security and solid earning potential — you are on the right track.
On the academic side, focus on math especially algebra and geometry since electricians use these constantly, and take physics if your school offers it as it builds a strong foundation for understanding how electricity works. If your school has a vocational or career and technical education program, that is where you want to be — many offer electrical or trade related courses that give you hands on experience early.
Outside of school, look into pre-apprenticeship programs in your area as some are available to high school students. Organizations like the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers also offer apprenticeship programs after high school that combine paid on the job training with classroom instruction, which is the most common pathway into becoming a licensed electrician. Getting a part time job or shadowing a local electrician is also a great way to build real world exposure and industry connections early.
The trades are in high demand right now so you are choosing a career with strong job security and solid earning potential — you are on the right track.