Other options available in electrical field - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

Jasonmavro · 08-04-2007, 04:37 PM

Hello, I am in my first year apprenticeship in the union.. I love doing the work, but i was just curious what other paths in the electrical field there are to take? Such as Inspector, contractor, job management etc.. These are basicly the only ones i am aware of.. I have no shame in admitting that i am pretty much a glorified trench digger because i know that i am learning a valuable trade but all in all i would like to maybe pin point a specific area of the trade and work towards it.. Any ideas of differnt positions and whats involved in working towards them? Also i recieved some advice as to learn and take as many blue print reading classes as i can.. Would anyone else agree on this? Is it as valuable as i hear? Thanks for all the input!

te12co2w · 08-04-2007, 07:16 PM

It looks like you have a good attitude about your career. There are a lot of trails you can take. Stay interested and act like it on the job. I know sometimes on those big jobs it is hard to get into anything but what they have you on. Blueprint reading is definitey important in your career. If you decided to become an estimator you will need that. If you get to be a good one then shops will want you on their side. You could even go independent and offer estimating services and live wherever you wanted. You could specialize in the code and become an inspector. You could specialize in the code and NFPA and become a consultant and go on speaking tours. You could concentrate on various aspects of the electrical field. Pipe bending for instance seems to becoming a lost art and a nice pipe rack is thing to behold. High voltage splicing and installations are another option.
While you are an apprentice it is a little harder for you to find ways to follow up on these things but you can do it. There are lots of places on the web you can find study books. Start with asking your journeymen to give you addresses for test study books. Here, journeymen have to attend a certain amount of classes to maintain their licenses. There are seminars you can attend and you don't have to be a journeyman. Alot of those seminars can be expensive though. Your local union apprentice director ought to be able to steer you in the right direction.
Pay attention and act interested on the job. Do your studies and ask questions. Most jw's will try to get you an honest answer even if they don't know the answer themselves. You can only go up from where you.

JohnJ0906 · 08-04-2007, 10:22 PM

It's great that you are looking ahead, and seeing this as a career, not just a job. I know it can be hard with a shovel in your hand!

As you get some experience, you will see some different aspects of the trade, and find something you enjoy, and are good at. I think it's a bit early to aim at anything specific, but certainly watch what goes on. And LEARN all you can!

brian john · 08-04-2007, 11:01 PM

The vast majority of IBEW are factory workers (or were prior to NAFTA. not so sure now), assembling lamps, fixtures ect.

For the rest there is Fire Alarm Tech, HV Techs, PQ Specialists, Electrical Testers, Maintenance tech, cable locator's and HV splicers, Factory Reps, generator specialists, battery specialists, residential, commercial electricians.

Foreman, sub foreman, estimator, man power manger, account manager, sales.

Just a few off the top of my head.