Leaving the union | Electrician Talk Here are five reasons why workers are jumping ship. In fact, the cost of living in the Midwest is significantly less than the cost of living in coastal states. So I've always loved the electrical trade. You can also get help from your friends or coworkers. Working as an electrician can take a toll on everything from your back and shoulders to your knees and feet. and our Even if you want to earn a certificate or go straight into the workplace as an electrician, those credits remain so that you can pursue other opportunities if the bottom should fall out of this market for some reason. "The opposite of bravery is not cowardice; it's conformity." Rollo May. Most jurisdictions require that you take a test that indicates you can safely perform jobs in this industry. Why Become an Electrician? - Explore The Trades Top EN-TOP 9 why i quit being a realtor BEST and NEWEST; Youll be doing all of these tasks while up a ladder or in a basket. I got quite good at quoting a price that made their faces turn white. You will make the lives of others better, and even . It's a good career if you can handle it. You can become an industrial electrician or one that focuses on construction. So we constantly had to prove that we were as good or better than everyone else. While most jobs these days require four-year degrees, one of the big benefits of working as an electrician is you dont need to go to a college or university to do it. The short answer is yes, but better than something like carpentry or sheet rock where you are lifting heavy things all day. Your salary will obviously depend on the specific job you take. (Not to mention all the tools apprentices need to buy or ask their electrician to lend them!). My co-worker though is always on my ass. At the moment, there are more than 650,000 electricians in the U.S., and that number is growing every year. I let other peoples influences of "have a career, life is great." My initial reaction is to go and attempt to fall into my passion, Fly- Fishing, and become a guide or even just work in a shop in a town where rent isn't outrageous. The bad side of electrical work. Luckily, most electrical issues . With the skills I've gained I feel that I can take on a wide variety of challenges and developed an analytical mind. Some of the qualifications for the job is to have background experience and education & training clearly stated on your application (Maxwell 98). Take a look at some of the risks you should carefully consider below. This website is UK-specific and as such different rules and regulations may apply in your country. Most maintenance electricians work unusual hours. If you want to earn a good amount, seriously, go on a plastering course or get into kitchen fitting. The working conditions can go beyond terrible some days. You do an important job to keep our system running. You have sovereign or company-based representation from organizations like the IBEW the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Classes are starting soon, so dont delay! Believe it or not, electricians can actually work very long hours. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. NO DIY POSTS ALLOWED, Press J to jump to the feed. If you like the idea of being your own boss, then working as an electrician is an excellent option to consider. You might have to climb up tall ladders or crawl through dark basements to finish a task. Electrical work is intensive. 10 Pros and Cons of Being an Electrician (With Tips To Become One) Electrical work is great. The job duties of an electrician can also be very specialized. 2. They are probably not very good then lol! One of the most appealing reasons to become an electrician would be to own your own office on wheels this is where you can have business meetings with employees, keep your old sandwiches you decided to swap for fast food, newspapers and dirty old boots this is away from prying eyes which you can call your bachelors escape . Construction turned me into such a negative, toxic person, I couldn't take it anymore and I quit. Add to the exams the constant renewing of certificates such as working at height licence (IPAF) and ECS cards, and we see why these are milestones when some electricians decided to quit. If youve ever thought aboutbeing an electrician, make an effort to learn more about what working as an electrician is like. Answer (1 of 2): ! Youll have to pay your dues before eventually becoming a real electrician one day. Youll be pleasantly surprised by how much money you can pull in a year in and year out. There are many people who dont realize just how rewarding it can be to play the part of an electrician in a community. Im a little more than halfway through my apprenticeship and next year is my last full year. Electricians are licensed contractors, so get ready for schooling and exams for your license. That is what this video is about. If they can get their act together, they can be among the highest-paid electricians in the country. That means millions of workers have to choose between working more than their job descriptions or looking like slackers. Enjoy. Associates in Applied Science: Substance Use Disorder Counseling, Business Office Administration Program Office Admin Training, InterCoast Colleges, a private institution, was granted institutional approval to operate by the. Maybe this trade is not for me. Just quit being an Electrician, right before I met required - reddit Electricians work in cramped areas or on their feet for lengthy periods of time. An apprenticeship is a great way to secure a great future. If you need to dig a trench and theres a downpour happening outside, then youre going to get drenched. It may become an issue when the house is being sold and an inspector looks inside the panel. While there he decided to condemn an outdoor electrical light as he said Hi Folks Customers with mobile phones ring at all hours of the day and night to state that their job is the most important one on the electricians list. 2. (According to the BLS as of December 2018). Electricians can work indoors. Been fighting a real bad case of burnout the last couple months. Full Forum Listing. Continue with Recommended Cookies. A forum community dedicated to professional electricians, contractors, and apprentices for residential and commercial work. Experienced electricians can make around $55,000 a year, and Expert electricians with many years on the job can make nearly $68,000. I took electricity and electronic classes in high school. 5. link to Gift Ideas For Electricians: 15 Useful Gifts We Love! We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Why not to become an electrician. Besides, being an electrician has its own list of perks. Is being an electrician hard on the body? : r/electricians - reddit 1. Im all for the regulations changing (Amazon link to regs book) and making electrical installations safer for everyone. Would you like to see if one of these programs might be right for you? 1. While the job duties an electrical engineer performs may vary depending on the types of projects they work on, there are some basic tasks you can expect to perform in this role. A very difficult balancing act to juggle. Ariz. Sheriff: 'You Have to Stop Saying The Border is Secure,' It 'Is The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. and our Some electricians work outdoors in the winter or in the rain. Electrical work is a growing trade. Does it differ much between the different types of electricians. Continuing education requirements are almost always necessary. Step 4: Inspect the Breaker Panel. For example,replacing a lighting fixture or installing a new outlet for a homeowner isnt exactly back-breaking work. Occupational disparities in smoking prevalence represent a critical public health concern. Youll Have to Work a Lot of Odd Hours, 3. Theyll genuinely appreciate you when you show up at their home or business to perform work on their electrical system. What is it like to be an Electrician? : r/electricians - reddit You must follow specific building codes when installing or repairing items. Having worked as an electrician for over ten years, I can honestly say that Ive learned a lot about the industry. An electrician's job can be hard on the body, especially if you're working as a line installer. As you can see, working as an electrician can be a risky business. Electrical News from Electricians Forums and Friends. Typically, though, the average salary for a novice electrician is roughly $30,000 a year. Ensuring electrical devices and systems meet safety . Why did I not work longer and make more money? If you have union representation, then your take-home pay averages about $200 more per check. Talk shop, show off pictures of your work, and ask code related questions. Solution: Add a subpanel with a few extra slots ($250), or, if you're planning major home improvements, replace the existing panel with a larger model ($500 to $800). Construction work may require you to spend time outside in the heat and weather. Help your fellow Redditors crack the electrical code. Hourly. Working as an electrician isnot a normal 9-to-5 job. You arent completing boring, routine-based work that someone could do with their eyes closed. Constant regulation changes. The Australian Apprenticeship Support Network is an effective albeit expensive mnemonic device that promises to improve the lives of apprentices by providing personalized training and support services. CDC analyzed data from 2004 to 2010 to determine the age-adjusted prevalence of cigarette smoking among working adults. It shares the future of the channelVisit my new channel at https. There are several factors to consider before deciding where to settle down and start your career. Juggling workload is difficult for everyone and its no different for electricians. Being an electrician can be hard (and physically challenging) for most people due to strenuous work positions, heavy equipment, and constantly changing environments that require physical exertion. This represents a very small percentage of the total number of electricians. It is not uncommon to start at 7 am each day and not finish till 5 or 6 pm. There comes a time when your body refuses to keep going. I decided the best thing to do was turn the negative day into a positive and right this post about all the reasons why electricians quit. Its a routine that some people love, but others can grow to despise. Your work as an electrician means that no two days will usually be the same. Its a young mans game to run power lines up on poles along the side of the road at 2 am. And when you make the company money, you become an asset to the company. For every problem, he would, instead of trying to protect us, he blames us, his electricians in front of the bosses. This is just one case out of few others and because of all this, I'm now under stress everytime my boss sends me to do something, because even at the smallest mistake, he will start going crazy and blame me for everything. It also affects their mental and physical health. Well discuss them in a second, but before we do, there are a few risks you should be aware of prior to enrolling in an electrical technician training program. Being flexible with the ability to adapt to constant change while working in different environments is a key ingredient to being a true craftsman. Others may work inside construction sites or factories. As an old guy who got sick of something before getting my license and quit, I would recommend getting the license. If the physics of electricity fascinates you, you should be aware that working as an electrician is stressful, according to US News. You can also use the internet to your advantage and read blogs aboutlaunching an electrician career. 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. Thankfully, the Federal Government is helping to alleviate the tradie pinch by providing incentives to get apprentices off the books and into the workforce. While the cost of electricity may have fallen over the past decade, the demand for electrical services is still outpacing the supply. I've spent the past 5 years chasing this apprenticeship to finally see that it's not for me and it has me freaking out that I'm too late to choose something different. 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. Ever since I can remember, I've dreamt of being my own boss. Can you give me honest advice about working as an electrician - Quora Why should I quit being an electrician? - Quora Most of the colleagues are great, but because of our electrician boss, I started hating every second of this job. When you are in the apprenticeship program, the supervisor who trains you will often assign the worst jobs to you since they dont want to do them. Prev Chapter Next Chapter. What are the qualifications for an electrician? - Zippia If your work is found to be negligent in some way, then there are some areas where you might be held personally responsible for whatever outcome occurs. Your Job Will Often Be Physically Demanding, 4. In 2011 I received this message from a builder I was contracted to. Once you work your way through anelectrical technician training program and serve as an apprentice, youll become a full-fledged electrician. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site. Life as an Electrician: Description, Job Duties and Work - Indeed While this is true for many the days can be surprisingly long when we count up the hours. Those in your community are going to depend on you to help them with all their electrical needs. Your skills as an electrician will be very useful for your neighbors. Most people prefer to avoid the DIY approach in this industry because of the potential dangers involved. Most of them thought the only reason a minority was in the trade was as a token. There are lots of college grads out there who are having trouble finding work in 2018 despite the strong job market. Apprenticeships are the most attractive advantage of becoming an electrician. My cousin told me about joining the apprenticeship while I was in college. To rectify this imbalance, the trades association is promoting a new program to attract and retain more young electricians. I thought the best way forward was to ask colleagues who have left the industry and also poll online forums. Here are the basic qualifications for pursuing a career as an electrician: - Be at least 18 years of age. This website was designed, optimised and is hosted by Untold Media. Privacy Policy. Becoming An Electrician - 963 Words | Cram Are there opportunities to be self-employed and set your own schedule? I love my job, it's the people I can't stand. But you will get saddled with many of the jobs the more experienced electricians dont want to do. Thats why you turn off the phone lol. A recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) analyzed cigarette smoking prevalence among working adults. These STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) careers pay well and the world demands more engineers every day. How to Become an Electrician: - Vocational Training There is a big reward for women who succeed in the field of electricians. 6. That can become a significant income improvement over an entire year. No degree needed: You don't have to go to college to become an electrician. And if you want to show them they can count on you, youre going to have to sacrifice your work-life balance for it at times. Depending on your state . 9. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Instead, there are electrical technician training programs you can sign up for which will teach you what you need to know to start your electrician career. In fact, the Women in Trade (WiT) industry represents more than 9.5% of the national electrical contracting workforce. As he lifts the hood to take a look, suddenly, a white car, possibly a Chevy Malibu or an Impala slams into the back of his car, sending the man flying into the street. I want to become one, I'd like to know how you guys are. Some days are more physically taxing than others. I thought it would be a great opportunity to learn and advance, but it turns out it's not that great. There is still a routine that can get boring when working as an electrician. Another sign of bad company culture is excessive red tape and bureaucracy. Pay? The van office space. Many jobs will require you to have on-call hours while spending time with your family. Feeling Fed up with the trade | Electricians Forums | Electrical Safety As you get older, it may become more challenging to continue in this career path. 2 WEEKS! You dont need to have an undergraduate degree to begin working as an electrician. In fact, they expect more than 85,900 new electrician jobs to be created between 2014 and 2024, which is a staggering 14% increase.Based on their analysis of the growth of various industries and professions, this is significantly higher than average. There are, unfortunately, almost 200 electricians who die every year on the job. Just over a year ago, I started a job as an industrial maintenance electrician. If its hot, cold, wet, muggy, or a large infestation of mosquitoes, there is an expectation that you must continue working. Recently the biggest problem I've had is with greasy employers coupled with the economy in western Canada being shit but when there's work I make money hand over fist. 4) If You Plan on Becoming an Electrician, You Need a License. Why I Quit Electrical Work - YouTube There are different career paths for you to follow. Becoming a journeyman electrician might be easier than you realize. He just has a need to feed his ego. Itll allow them to start their careers without worrying about paying off a pile of student loan bills. Mrbubblesgirl . The Pros and Cons of Being an Electrical Engineer | Indeed.com 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, Itll let you know if life as an electrician would be right for you. Is it a good career? You can help out your family and friends. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. - Able to follow instructions. What motivated me to do such a crazy thing? Even if you don't go back to being an electrician, that license will go on your resume and will get you jobs in the future. The age-adjusted cigarette smoking prevalence was higher in the following industry groups: mining and extraction (33.0%), construction and extraction (31.4%), and food preparation and serving related (30.0%). While there will be a lot of responsibility that comes along with doing this, you could make a fortune if youre able to turn your business into a success. You Wont Be Able to Become a Full-Fledged Electrician Right Away, 2. You deserve better. Aluminum Wiring. As of right now, there are more than 40 million Americans carrying around at least some student loan debt. Thats why there is an extensive screening process that all applicants go through whenever there is some availability present. When youre working as an electrical apprentice, youll likely get paid an hourly rate. Electrical technicians often work long hours and some nights and weekends. Electricians have a higher rate of workplace-related injuries than the average rate of incidents in the United States. 1. It was hours before I was due to board a flight to go snowboarding. Depending on the area in which you live, you could be paying $50 per hour or earning tens of thousands of dollars a year. As an apprentice training to be an electrician, you'll learn the in's and out's of the electrical trade and what it takes to be an electrician. Copyright SparkyBase.com 2023 All Rights Reserved. There are some electrical jobs that are relatively simple. 6. First file a complaint to HR or the owner of the company over your boss. If you work for the local power utility, then you might get a call to work on the lines in the middle of the night to restore power. I quit being an electrician because the hours were too long and the working conditions were unsatisfactory. Most electricians operate a business (including independent contractors) with liability insurance and a surety bond because of the risk for errors. aka The Great Reddit Council of Electricians 3. 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. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Over the week this adds up to 45 hours plus travelling which can be an hour or more each way. 10. There will also be times when youre responding to calls late at night. There are times when working as an electrician can let you enjoy a beautiful day outside. TOP 10 why i quit being an electrician BEST and NEWEST Also, its important to note that each state has its own regulations. Youre also going to need to spend at least a few years working as an apprentice under a masterelectrician. 1.6 Good Pay. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Toxic company culture is the leading reason people quit their jobs. I'm a retired black electrician with 31 years in the trade . 5 #5: The Military Mentality. Why I quit being an electrician, where do I begin? This is the statement from my ex-colleague that started the post and I think we have shown there are definitely some negatives to the job. The former selection lets you work in technical, support, and administrative services, while the latter focuses on service and installation needs. If youre thinking about pursuing this option, then these are the pros and cons of a career as an electrician to review. Pulled between jobs. The fastest way to become an electrician is to complete the domestic electrical installer course. Why I Gave Up My Engineering Career - Retire by 40 There can also be up to 1,000 hours of classroom work to complete. 7. Engineering is a great field to get into. If you want to legally work for yourself as an electrician, then you must prove that you have the knowledge and skill to do so. Come join the discussion about trade knowledge, tools, certifications, wiring, builds, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Completing an electrician apprenticeship qualifies electricians to become journeymen and work on their own. Generally, there isnt a one size fits all cost of living for electricians. Posted by Experience909. In addition, they are required to perform various safety tests to ensure that their electrical systems are safe and functional. You must prove your experience before you can work for yourself. 10 Electrical Wiring Problems Solved - This Old House into my head, and I'm finally realizing I HATE my job, with a passion! Ive just finished one of those days at work that makes you want to throw in the towel and head to the bar for a nice cold beer. The demand for professional employees with this expertise is increasing in the US. That means you will be coming home exhausted every night. You can also find work with a commercial or industrial company that hires electricians. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Right now the average electrician earns over $50,000 a year - many earn a lot more. Next day, everybody knew about this, even the CEO of the company started asking me questions what did I do. Just. Many new electricians spend time working for the same companies they worked for as an apprentice. 1.2 Self-Employment Opportunities. According to the BLS, a high school diploma or an equivalent is required to become an electrician. So I was in the process of looking into a career change. And comfort is the killer of progress. Top 10 why i quit being an electrician That Will Change Your Life Remember, you can always go down. In a study, researchers found that workers effort levels in the US are the lowest in a decade. Here's the most important thing any electrician will tell you: Never, ever ignore the warning signs of problems in your electrical system.