2 answers
Austin
Student
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What are things you wish you new before you started as an electrician ?
Im a high school senior.
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2 answers
Roger Chance
Risk management attorney
15
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Orlando, Florida
Updated
Roger’s Answer
You'll be working in every kind of weather and do more digging in the ground than you probably think. Somebody has to run conduit in trenches and feed cable or wiring through those conduits. Guess who usually gets the grunge work? Yep, the apprentice, which is where everybody starts. Also make sure you know the NEC (National Electric Code) to pass your journeyman exam, you're going to need to know it cold. Good luck!
Very true! Laying a bonding grid and working in a manhole are both actually fun tasks as well. But for those you need to be the favorite apprentice to get to do those!
Liam Rielly
Liam Rielly
Data Center Technician
180
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Manassas, Virginia
Updated
Liam’s Answer
I am the kind of guy who likes to know things and be skilled in different areas. After spending years learning about everything from HVAC, cloud computing, electrical construction, electronics, networking, and operations, I figured out its not about how much you know, but who you know.
Work hard now (starting right now) to foster relationships that will help you move around within your career. Start to volunteer, join a club, show up to events sponsored by trade unions, and find a job that will put you into a good place to pivot into a career as an electrician. The more people you know and foster a long term relationship with the better.
When you get a job, try to be the one always doing something. Be the one that is willing to work. Aside from that, go into that job with a sense of humor. Electricians like to play with people and make jokes on the job a lot, have fun with it and don't be too serious or bring too many feelings to work. Basically the same kind of things that will make you popular in high school will follow you to the job! Be "one of the guys" but also don't feel afraid to stand apart from the guys when its time. Be resourceful but also network so you can have extended skills and an extended network as well.
Work hard now (starting right now) to foster relationships that will help you move around within your career. Start to volunteer, join a club, show up to events sponsored by trade unions, and find a job that will put you into a good place to pivot into a career as an electrician. The more people you know and foster a long term relationship with the better.
When you get a job, try to be the one always doing something. Be the one that is willing to work. Aside from that, go into that job with a sense of humor. Electricians like to play with people and make jokes on the job a lot, have fun with it and don't be too serious or bring too many feelings to work. Basically the same kind of things that will make you popular in high school will follow you to the job! Be "one of the guys" but also don't feel afraid to stand apart from the guys when its time. Be resourceful but also network so you can have extended skills and an extended network as well.
I will use this advice as I prepare for my career.
Austin