Should I consider a career as an electrician? I'm 26, a biology grad with no prior experience, so it'll be a long course of study. I'm reasonably smart, fit, and personable. I can learn things fast when I'm shown what to do and allowed to ask questions. I handle monotony well and paperwork poorly. I don't do well with long self-imposed deadlines, but constant immediate tasks and step-by-step procedures are fine. I like being able to see or test for myself whether what I'm working on is correct, so maybe a more hands-on occupation like this will suit me. I have some family contacts already in the field.What kind of attitude and personality does a good electrician have? What are the challenges, what would I need to succeed?General career advice and other ideas would be welcome.
Do you have an interest in electricity and work as an electrician? Have you put any research into what working as an electrician might actually involve?If you have an interest in the trade, are keen to learn and are committed to completing an apprenticeship then those are the most important details. Same as any trade.
>>32331993I'm interested in lots of things. I like to know how things work. I currently do very basic wiring at a small workshop and I find it fairly interesting, I have a basic grip on the concepts of voltage and current and shorts and earth and such.As far as I can tell, the job involves a lot of hands-on building and measuring, making sure that wiring is safe and meets regulations, installing components in structures and machines, identifying faults, negotiating with clients. That sounds like stuff I can do, or learn how to do.
electrician is generally the top rung of tradework as far as pay/social status/intellectual requirements and being a competent electrician is a key skill in a host of other fobs and trades that aren't specifically electrician like equipment maintenance in mines and plc tech in automation.the downside is its pretty much mandatory to put in several years eating shit as an apprentice before you can get your journeyman certs. unlike welding for example which you can become a competent welder in a few months of practice
>>32331985If you are already a biology grad, you could do an accelerated registered nursing (BSN) program in a single year or a physician assistant program in two. Both are incredibly versatile and high paying if healthcare is something you'd be interested in. That said, they are generally very competitive programs to get into.
>>32331985No. You should work in biology otherwise wtf did you get the fucking degree for?
>>32331985The goal to be an electrician is to get into a union(ibew). You get good benefits and a pension. The issue is that it's almost impossible to get into a union unless you know someone or have some experience. You'd have to work in the private sector for a couple years. You can try the trade school but I'm not sure if that helps these days.
>>32332167It's 2024. You're not guaranteed a job in your field just because you have a BA
maybe you can transfer some of your math / science credits to the college / school for electrician certification and save a bit of money or time completing those requirements? Worth a shot.
>>32331985Sure, why not? You only open doors for more options and it makes home ownership a lot easier. You’d be everyone’s friend. You can always be an unemployed biologist, if it doesn’t pan out.
>>32332167>You should work in biology otherwise wtf did you get the fucking degree for?Biology is/will be offshored. You can't offshore an electrician.
>I have some family contacts already in the field.Then ask them. You already have a leg up on 99.9% of candidates. If you are a NEET with soft hands then that still might not be enough. The union recruiter is going to smell the basedboy in you from a mile away.
It's honest work: you get out of it what you put into it. My brother is an electrician and he likes it since he's able to support his family of 6, but he grinds like crazy.
