How To Become An Electrician » Advice

NEED advice! College or follow my dreams?

electric — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:06:39 +0000

Well I’m a senior, in NYC, and next year I’m supposed to go to college. Since my relationship with my family (mom and dad) hasn’t been the best I decided I wanted to go out of state simply because I want to get out of the house. However, over the christmas break I remembered that before simply telling myself “I have to go to college,” I had dreams of becoming something of an actor, or maybe a singer. How am I supposed to follow those dreams while I am away? I planned on majoring in Electrical Engineering just for the fact that it’s a career. Also, since I am a slacker of a student, I planned on applying to colleges I think I can easily get in to; University of Kansas, State University of North and South Dakota (2 different universities), and others similar to those, location-wise. However if I were to go to those place, those universities, how am I supposed to follow my dream? I realized that I live in New York City, a great place to pursue a career in acting or singing, or both! So what am I to do? This is what I came up with;

1) At first I didn’t want to go to college, I simply wanted to become an electrician. To do that I’d have to find an apprenticeship with a contractor and just..work and learn at the same time. I’m thinking of actually doing that. I am going to look for a contractor with available apprenticeships and go for it.
2) Even though I’d be working full time as an apprentice I think I may apply to Laguardia Community College and study Electrical Engineering part-time, and work full-time as an apprentice.
3) Since I will be working and studying, I’d basically have the money to take acting/singing classes on weekends. Since I live in NYC, I have a great selection of teachers and what-not, I could go to casting calls, auditions, all WHILE studying and working.

So that is basically my plan. What do you think? Should I stick to it? This way I could earn a degree, transfer after 2 years, AND pursue my dream at the same time.

I’m at a crossroads in my life and i don’t know which path to take…some advice needed please?

electric — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:16:54 +0000

Im 20 and have a good paying job that im happy at and have managed to save my pennies! However due to current economic situation i might not have this job in 4/5 months! I am going to travel but i cant decide whether or not to move out with friends, go back to college and get an apprenticeship electrician course whilst i still can coz im young enough and then go traveling (but would have to stay here for another 3.5 yrs) or just go traveling now and be gone for a very long time and risk of coming back with what little qualifications i have now and to an economy thats proper fooked and me not be able to get a job?

Need some advice on becoming an electrician.?

electric — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:00:57 +0000

I am enrolled in a very reputable local tech school here in St. Pete, FL for an Electricity program. the program is 1200 hours and I expect to learn a lot from it as I have almost no prior electricity experience other than installing ceiling fans and light fixtures and such around my families home. I am making a huge career change and electricity is something that has always been interesting to me and I think I would enjoy doing it. I am in the Tampa Bay area of Florida and I see hardly any ads looks for electricians in the newspapers and craigslist, etc around here. After I finish this program what kind of job can I expect to get and would I be able to find someone who will take me on as a part-time helper or something while I am in school? Is this is a wise career move at this time in this area of Florida?

Need career advice from an Electrician…. Study Electrical or Continue working towards a Business Degree???

electric — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 13:16:25 +0000

I live in Los Angeles, and am thinking of attending a Trade School to learn Electrical work. The school is recognized by the state, as well as by major companies in the industry. Would you reccomend choosing an Electrical trade over a Business Degree???

Career advice?

electric — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:06:23 +0000

I am currently working in a bar and have been working in bars for last few years. I’m 26 years old and need to start a career. After a lot of thinking I have come up with two options.
I have applied to Uni to become a primary school teacher and have an interview in June. The problem is getting into serious debt…£12k in student loads, plus course fees and not earning for 4 years while doing the course. As I am 26 and wont be qualified till I am 31, this is a concern.
The second idea I have is to do a shorter course or apprenticeship in either IT or as an electrician. This route would considerably cut the course cost, would be shorter and therefore I would be qualified sooner and earning quicker. The problem I have with this route is how to get into IT there are a lot of people advertising IT courses like ‘Advent’ where they say you can earn great money with a career in IT. Are they genuine? With looking for an electrician apprenticeship I am worried my age will go against me.

Career Advice please electrician?

electric — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 08:16:57 +0000

Hi i’m 17 currently at college studying a/s levels in maths stats, Biology, chemistry and physics

i am hoping to go into a career as an electrician does anyone have any advice on how i might go about it, like getting an apprenticeship

i live in the uk, i am good at physics and maths but not very good at chemistry and biology

Thinking about becoming a Commercial Electrician, need advice from someone who is one.?

electric — Mon, 16 May 2011 11:18:09 +0000

A little background, I’m 25 and live in the seattle area. I decided I wanted to join an apprenticeship program. I was going back and forth between being a Commercial Carpenter or a Commercial Electrician (not residential house work, but big building commercial work).

I don’t know much about either, but I became a carpenter about 2 months ago, and I’m starting to think maybe I should go electrician instead, but I need some advice.

Heres the reason I went carpenter.
1. The starting pay was much higher .50 vs .50 (I need at least about /hr to get by on)
2. It seems like (but please correct me if I’m wrong), there is more to learn as a carpenter, since you are building entire structures, rather than simply installing the wiring. It seems like other than running wires, hooking up breakers/circuits, doing conduit, etc. Seems like it would get boring.
3. I think there is more “pride” being able to point out all the buildings you “built”, rather than just wired

continued ->
however here are the reasons I’m thinking electrician might be better.
1. The journeyman pay is higher, about vs . (although it would take a couple years of tough financial struggles to deal with the much lower starting wage, I’d do it though if I thought the payoff was greater)
2. I think it might be less strenuous. More using brain vs brawn. Is this true even for commercial electricians? Although I’m capable of strenuous work, I’d simply prefer not to, especially if I’m going to be getting into a 30 year career. I’ve already got some various aches, from hours of hammering and heavy hauling, I can only imagine how torn apart my body will be after years of carpentry.
3. my carpenters union does not give any sick/vacation/holiday pay, if you sick or its christmas, your getting a reduced paycheck. I’m hoping electricians get that.

So hopefully you can understand more of what I’m looking for and let me know if electrician is worth the swith or not. If so can you give details?

Thinking about becoming a Commercial Electrician, need advice from someone who is one.?

electric — Mon, 16 May 2011 11:18:09 +0000

I don’t know much about either, but I became a carpenter about 2 months ago, and I’m starting to think maybe I should go electrician instead, but I need some advice.

So hopefully you can understand more of what I’m looking for and let me know if electrician is worth the swith or not. If so can you give details?

Career Path Advice! Electrician vs Plumber?

electric — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 02:20:45 +0000

I am starting Technical School next month. I signed up for the Electrical program, but i’m not sure if Plumbing is a better career path. I live in New England and believe there is a need for both. My choice will boil down to salary, steady work, and which one I will enjoy performing more. Please, I need advice. Thank you!

In need of serious advice?

electric — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 04:44:27 +0000

Am going to school for computer electronic engineering technology basically electronic technician, I started back in November and I’ve come to find out that this isn’t the career for me, it involves math, which I totally do not like whatsoever am going to change career but I don’t know what I want to do, I know I like car audio and I was thinking maybe a drug unit or gang unit but I don’t know what else,I don’t know what am looking for I want a job with a good salary ,that doesn’t involve math and doesn’t take to long to go to school and get right into the actual career field please someone suggest something or anything that can help me choose a new career thanks in advanced