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Electricians of NS

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Segsxi
Posts: 457 - Karma: 1,675
I dont get on NS too often but when I do Its usually counterproductive. I decided to make this thread to see if there are any other nsers out there who are electricians and have experiences, tips, tricks, and advice to share!


Me, I am looking forward to becoming a union apprentice with my local IBEW and learning all of the things that electricians and electrical engineers do. I figure this is a more lucrative path for me than college, as I have been working as a contracter at a home security firm for the past 2 years. I work closely with journeyman and master electricians who have their own established businesses and are raking in more money than my young self would know what to do with. They have convinced me that I should do the apprenticeship and honestly it has me pretty stoked. I hope that I get in.
Apr 22 2019 2:44PM
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liammorris
Posts: 140 - Karma: 274
FUCK UNION. Buncha lazy pussys
Apr 22 2019 3:00PM
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Phenomic
Posts: 39 - Karma: 104
Im an automation technician, done everything from installing new lights, sockets and fuses or what ever the fuck they're called in english, to programming PLC's and making scada pictures. Honestly the best tip I ever got was to question everything, if you ever wonder why something is the way it is, or why something works the way it does, find out, and if you cant, ask someone.

If you end up working somewhere like a factory then get to know the whole process there inside-out, it will make your job a lot easier when something stops working.

But yeah, question everything, even your sexuality.

**This post was edited on Apr 22nd 2019 at 4:40:04pm
Apr 22 2019 4:39PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51629 - Karma: 162,075
I would say do it. You can make decent money and worst case even if you don't like it long term, always good to have a skill to fall back on.

That said I am not an electrician.
Apr 22 2019 4:42PM
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elcheapo
Posts: 3449 - Karma: 13,975
Being self employed is the absolute best. Sounds like a great plan. Iv known electricians who mark up materials to the max and make so much money plus those kind of jobs you dont have to get dressed up and party all you want at lunch and make excuses and ski whenever you want and pick weird hours and crank music. It's the best.
Apr 22 2019 4:49PM
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oldmanski
Posts: 3306 - Karma: 23,750
I am a maintenance manager at a large plant, I have 13 full time mechanics at which 4 of them are electricians. The electricians/PLC techs make a whole lot more money than just the standard plant mechanic. If you have a nack for electronics(car audio, TV's, stereos) and arent color blind(which still wont stop you, just more challenging) I def recommend going into this line of work. Its not easy, its not clean, it consists of being out in the cold when things are broken, crawling around in the dirt and muck of things. Coworkers are going to be assholes(it is construction) the Fucking New Guy will always be grunt, be given the hardest jobs just to test you. If you can withstand all the abuse through your apprenticeship and get your card, more power to you! The union electricians here in our local range from about $32-$68, lead man wages are more if you go into that. Again, if you can handle the BS that goes along with it(Like joining a fraternity) I say do it! Hope this helps and doesn't confuse you any more. Let me know if you have any questions, be happy to help.
Apr 22 2019 6:08PM
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50Kal
Posts: 2828 - Karma: 5,373
Skilled trade is severely undersold these days.
Teachers always said if you don’t go to college your gonna become a construction worker.
No one told me you could be making $25 an hour if you good at hanging drywall when your 19.
Apr 22 2019 9:39PM
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S3B
Posts: 251 - Karma: 24
I’m a journeyman electrician and a 10 year member of the IBEW. I’m currently doing a maintenance gig in oil & gas and loving it. All I can say dude is finish your apprenticeship and get your ticket, don’t even think twice. I’m making $48/h and on a 14 days on/14 off schedule allowing plenty of time to ski, bike, or travel.
peace
Apr 22 2019 10:11PM
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AbiH
Posts: 2041 - Karma: 10,350
Where’s slider_mcslider when you need him!?
Apr 22 2019 10:31PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51629 - Karma: 162,075
50KalSkilled trade is severely undersold these days.
Teachers always said if you don’t go to college your gonna become a construction worker.
No one told me you could be making $25 an hour if you good at hanging drywall when your 19.


It's ridiculous. I wish we had better options in those areas and more knowledge about what was offered. I swapped HS and didn't really know the few programs we had. Funny how hard college was pushed. I didn't learn a trade in HS but I'm glad I didn't go to college/have mad loans.

Have a bunch of friends going back into/moving into trades. If you're down, def a spot where there are jobs and you can for sure earn a decent living.
Apr 22 2019 11:33PM
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DirtYStylE
Posts: 3652 - Karma: 8,888
Trade school > undergraduate degree
Apr 23 2019 3:59PM
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dogfacematt
Posts: 327 - Karma: 6,472
DirtYStylETrade school > undergraduate degree


6th year to be here. You're probably right.
Apr 23 2019 4:31PM
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DirtYStylE
Posts: 3652 - Karma: 8,888
MJHarris156th year to be here. You're probably right.


Well at least you know you can pursue higher education if you want. Get a PHD or something big. I just didn’t want to be a doctor and the rest of the jobs are mostly office jobs.

Just imo

After two years of sitting at a desk staring at a computer... GET ME OUT
Apr 23 2019 4:47PM
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dogfacematt
Posts: 327 - Karma: 6,472
DirtYStylEWell at least you know you can pursue higher education if you want. Get a PHD or something big. I just didn’t want to be a doctor and the rest of the jobs are mostly office jobs.

Just imo

After two years of sitting at a desk staring at a computer... GET ME OUT


I'm a double major in Finance and Economics who hates school... do I want a desk job? nope. Am I terrified to be a real adult after graduation? yup. Probably just gonna continue to hate my life and decided to try for a PHD in econ. Its either that or I go do search and rescue or something...
Apr 23 2019 5:07PM
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evaroni
Posts: 3895 - Karma: 3,776
MJHarris15I'm a double major in Finance and Economics who hates school... do I want a desk job? nope. Am I terrified to be a real adult after graduation? yup. Probably just gonna continue to hate my life and decided to try for a PHD in econ. Its either that or I go do search and rescue or something...


Dude. Sounds like you better do search and rescue or else in 20 years you’re going to need search and rescue to find your sole.
Apr 23 2019 7:17PM
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dogfacematt
Posts: 327 - Karma: 6,472
evaroniDude. Sounds like you better do search and rescue or else in 20 years you’re going to need search and rescue to find your sole.

That's what it's lookin like right now, Coast Guard or Forest Rangers
Apr 23 2019 7:21PM
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freestyler540
Posts: 13083 - Karma: 18,720
Marine engineer officer here. Since Im usually the only engineer with electrical training, I tend to be responsible for electrical machinery. I love the risk factor, the patience and the extensive troubleshooting abilities of the job.

The math is quite heavy, but the job is great. I recommend getting into it.
Apr 24 2019 1:50AM
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Rusticles
Posts: 2180 - Karma: 1,337
20 year master electrician here. The first few years are going to be tough and possibly boring, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. I'm in heavy industrial maintenance. I personally prefer industrial, more interesting dealing with big motors, VFD's and PLC's. I also do side jobs for extra cash when I have the time, basements, shops etc.
Apr 24 2019 8:30AM
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Phenomic
Posts: 39 - Karma: 104
Rusticles20 year master electrician here. The first few years are going to be tough and possibly boring, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. I'm in heavy industrial maintenance. I personally prefer industrial, more interesting dealing with big motors, VFD's and PLC's. I also do side jobs for extra cash when I have the time, basements, shops etc.


What PLC's have u been working with?
Apr 24 2019 3:20PM
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Rusticles
Posts: 2180 - Karma: 1,337
PhenomicWhat PLC's have u been working with?


Allen Bradley mostly.many years ago used to play with Scadapack.
Apr 24 2019 6:57PM
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first_rodeo
Posts: 2385 - Karma: 7,781
MJHarris15I'm a double major in Finance and Economics who hates school... do I want a desk job? nope. Am I terrified to be a real adult after graduation? yup. Probably just gonna continue to hate my life and decided to try for a PHD in econ. Its either that or I go do search and rescue or something...


5Y ago... I was a double major in finance and statistics.... In consulting now, those textbook skills will not translate into the real world.
Apr 26 2019 4:01PM
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dogfacematt
Posts: 327 - Karma: 6,472
first_rodeo5Y ago... I was a double major in finance and statistics.... In consulting now, those textbook skills will not translate into the real world.


Dude I believe it, that's pretty much all I've been told while in college. I feel like meeting with professors and talking about their experiences has been much more beneficial, and way more fun.
Apr 26 2019 4:15PM
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Skibumsmith
Posts: 5432 - Karma: 11,820
DirtYStylETrade school > undergraduate degree

This exact thought has gone through my brain at least once a day since graduating last May and still looking for work.
Apr 27 2019 1:06AM
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ChadThundercock
Posts: 3071 - Karma: 830
SegsxiI dont get on NS too often but when I do Its usually counterproductive. I decided to make this thread to see if there are any other nsers out there who are electricians and have experiences, tips, tricks, and advice to share!


Me, I am looking forward to becoming a union apprentice with my local IBEW and learning all of the things that electricians and electrical engineers do. I figure this is a more lucrative path for me than college, as I have been working as a contracter at a home security firm for the past 2 years. I work closely with journeyman and master electricians who have their own established businesses and are raking in more money than my young self would know what to do with. They have convinced me that I should do the apprenticeship and honestly it has me pretty stoked. I hope that I get in.


Always join the union, it's the best thing you can do to secure your job, survival, health, and future.
Apr 27 2019 2:19AM
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Rusticles
Posts: 2180 - Karma: 1,337
BitcoinAlways join the union, it's the best thing you can do to secure your job, survival, health, and future.


I gotta second this, I work for a large corporation that is non union and were still taken care of really well, but it is very sad to see our industry struggling and because of it our contract companies are turning non union and loosing power and strength costing employees.
Apr 27 2019 9:13AM
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Dylan_
Posts: 9824 - Karma: 1,403
I'm an environmental engineer that designs wastewater and water plants so I am very familiar with vfd's, plc's ect. The electricians make more money than I do with my engineering degree.. Become an electrician, especially if you're a weird fuck, you'll fit right in with the rest of the electricians.
Apr 30 2019 10:37AM
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Segsxi
Posts: 457 - Karma: 1,675
Thanks for all the words of encouragement and advice peeps.
Heres an update between the time I made this post and now I was able to start the application process for an inside program, they were really stoked to see that I was applying.
This month on the 21st I will be taking a test to get the NCR (national career readiness) Certificate which is what I'll need before they consider placing me on a job. I've been studying every day for the test and fingers are crossed that they put me on this program because that would be an actual good move on my life, Id like the idea of learning this kind of skill that will come in handy even If there is nuclear fallout.
May 6 2019 3:13PM
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oldmanski
Posts: 3306 - Karma: 23,750
SegsxiThanks for all the words of encouragement and advice peeps.
Heres an update between the time I made this post and now I was able to start the application process for an inside program, they were really stoked to see that I was applying.
This month on the 21st I will be taking a test to get the NCR (national career readiness) Certificate which is what I'll need before they consider placing me on a job. I've been studying every day for the test and fingers are crossed that they put me on this program because that would be an actual good move on my life, Id like the idea of learning this kind of skill that will come in handy even If there is nuclear fallout.


Fingers are crossed for ya!! Good luck and good decision!
May 6 2019 3:15PM
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xxACIDTRIPxx
Posts: 5980 - Karma: 8,175
Don’t fall through the ceiling when you’re wiring through the attic.
Jan 14 2020 4:52AM
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Casey
Posts: 7847 - Karma: 24,308
If you have an opportunity to get into IBEW you should take it. $$$
Jun 13 2020 12:43PM
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