Electrician Trainee who could use some advice - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

Wizard Will · 04-25-2012, 07:12 PM

Hello everyone. I am a Certified Electrical Trainee from central California.

Perhaps there is a better place in the forum for this than the introduction thread, but I could really use some advice. I graduated from vocational school two years ago, in June 2010. The school, Wyotech, is better known for its automotive programs than electrical ones, in fact my class was the first class of electrical trainees to be taught and graduate from their Sacramento Campus. I am proud to mention that I graduated top of the class with honors and various other rewards.

Unfortunately it is after graduation that things went wrong. I stupidly told myself I'd “take a month off” after graduating, ya know just kick around and relax, I earned it right? Well, that was a huge mistake. One month turned into two, then three. To keep a long story short, and spare you the sob story (most of it anyways) some things happened with my family, trouble, drama, heartache, and I fell into a growing depression. I eventually got a part time job completely unrelated to the electrical industry and between these two factors, I lost all the drive and motivation that had let me excel in school, I barely even tried to find an job in the trade.

I've spent the last year and a half in a terrible depression, making excuses to myself about the economy and my school's bad career services and stuff. The truth is I barely tried to find a job so how can I use the economy as an excuse? I have had enough of this. Its been nearly two years! I could have been a third of the way to my journeyman hours by now! Maybe closer to half! I'm tired of this depressive funk, all I'm doing is making myself miserable, damaging my desirability as an employee and wasting my time and life. I'm ready to slap myself in the face, kick my own butt and get working.

Part of the problem though is that while I feel I got a good education thanks to my teachers (in spite of many issues I had with the school in general, and perhaps not really worth what was paid), one thing they didn't really teach me at all about was finding a job, beyond some throwaway stuff like making a resume and cover letter. In the past I've tried calling a few local business and simply asking if they were hiring electrical trainees. The only answers I received were basically summed up as “No”. I've also tried submitting applications online to companies with websites and online application utilities, but haven't heard so much as a peep from those. It seems to me that the electrical trade isn't like an office job where I can rely on the internet for job postings, another of my big mistakes and assumptions.

Like I said, I'm ready to get my life back together and I'm ready to work. I'm just not sure how I should go about it. Should I just do what I did in the past and call up companies asking if they're hiring? Is there a better way to go about this? I'm just not sure what I should do, I mean, who wants to hire a trainee who hasn't done squat in almost two years after graduation? I'd like to think my graduating top of the class shows I'm at least a quick learner and I know how to find stuff in the NEC, but I will admit my hands on experience is lacking, and its hands-on crap that people want new guys for, I'm sure.

I would really appreciate some advice. What is the best way to go about looking for employment? What can I do to make up for my mistakes and to improve my chances of finding a job?

I am sorry for posting such a long thing, it kills me to do so as I hate bothering people, but if I'm not sure what else to do and if I'm gonna toss out the depression I need to toss out some of that out, and definitely the uncertainty and insecurity as well. I'm not asking for a job or anything, just advice to help me find and earn one.

Thank you in advance.

**Dennis Alwon** · 04-25-2012, 07:27 PM

Welcome to the forum and sorry you life hit a downslide. Get back up and beat down some doors. Unfortunately there isn't much work out there so it will be hard getting going.

Good Luck

devosf · 04-26-2012, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wizard Will

Hello everyone. I am a Certified Electrical Trainee from central California.

Perhaps there is a better place in the forum for this than the introduction thread, but I could really use some advice. I graduated from vocational school two years ago, in June 2010. The school, Wyotech, is better known for its automotive programs than electrical ones, in fact my class was the first class of electrical trainees to be taught and graduate from their Sacramento Campus. I am proud to mention that I graduated top of the class with honors and various other rewards.

Unfortunately it is after graduation that things went wrong. I stupidly told myself I'd “take a month off” after graduating, ya know just kick around and relax, I earned it right? Well, that was a huge mistake. One month turned into two, then three. To keep a long story short, and spare you the sob story (most of it anyways) some things happened with my family, trouble, drama, heartache, and I fell into a growing depression. I eventually got a part time job completely unrelated to the electrical industry and between these two factors, I lost all the drive and motivation that had let me excel in school, I barely even tried to find an job in the trade.

I've spent the last year and a half in a terrible depression, making excuses to myself about the economy and my school's bad career services and stuff. The truth is I barely tried to find a job so how can I use the economy as an excuse? I have had enough of this. Its been nearly two years! I could have been a third of the way to my journeyman hours by now! Maybe closer to half! I'm tired of this depressive funk, all I'm doing is making myself miserable, damaging my desirability as an employee and wasting my time and life. I'm ready to slap myself in the face, kick my own butt and get working.

Part of the problem though is that while I feel I got a good education thanks to my teachers (in spite of many issues I had with the school in general, and perhaps not really worth what was paid), one thing they didn't really teach me at all about was finding a job, beyond some throwaway stuff like making a resume and cover letter. In the past I've tried calling a few local business and simply asking if they were hiring electrical trainees. The only answers I received were basically summed up as “No”. I've also tried submitting applications online to companies with websites and online application utilities, but haven't heard so much as a peep from those. It seems to me that the electrical trade isn't like an office job where I can rely on the internet for job postings, another of my big mistakes and assumptions.

Like I said, I'm ready to get my life back together and I'm ready to work. I'm just not sure how I should go about it. Should I just do what I did in the past and call up companies asking if they're hiring? Is there a better way to go about this? I'm just not sure what I should do, I mean, who wants to hire a trainee who hasn't done squat in almost two years after graduation? I'd like to think my graduating top of the class shows I'm at least a quick learner and I know how to find stuff in the NEC, but I will admit my hands on experience is lacking, and its hands-on crap that people want new guys for, I'm sure.

I would really appreciate some advice. What is the best way to go about looking for employment? What can I do to make up for my mistakes and to improve my chances of finding a job?

I am sorry for posting such a long thing, it kills me to do so as I hate bothering people, but if I'm not sure what else to do and if I'm gonna toss out the depression I need to toss out some of that out, and definitely the uncertainty and insecurity as well. I'm not asking for a job or anything, just advice to help me find and earn one.

Thank you in advance.

Please have a seat on my digital couch, Will. O.K. I suggest you watch the movie "Finding Nemo" today and consider this...This movie is a metaphor of your life. You are Marlin, your ambition is Dory and your future career is Nemo. Life is a cruel and unforgiving ocean that contains good and bad characters who will hurt or help you. You must navigate all the dangers and endure all the roadblocks that are placed in your path to find Nemo. Do not despair. Keep your chin up and remember your sense of humor. Stay honest and be kind to those around you, unless they are ****s, then get them out of your life. It's o.k. To take a ride on a turtles back, but I wouldn't suggest getting a lift in a whale's belly because of the digestive juices. After many difficult trials and tribulations, you will find Nemo and weep with joy and exalt in your hard-won success. And like Dory said..."Just keep swing. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming.".

wildleg · 04-26-2012, 01:22 PM

air force

acebradley · 04-26-2012, 03:56 PM

Good luck with your endeavors.

My first piece of advice would be to check online at the various job search sites and check often. The sooner you jump on an application the better, as the jobs can fill up fast. I don't know how it is in your location, but around here the craigslist ads for apprentices seem to more abundant than other sites. Make sure you you have a quality resume and be personable. Have somebody help you if needed and double check all of your spelling.

Second, get up early every morning and act as if you were working already. Don't stop until the end of the "work day". This will get you in a regular routine so when you do find a job you can get up early every day and head to work with out any problems. The biggest thing I see with apprentices is their lack of discipline in making it to work on time and every day. The trade can be rough on you until you prove yourself, so the more you can do to prove your desire to learn and show your willingness to work hard, the easier it becomes.

Third, do you know anybody in the trade? This is usually the best way to get your foot in the door. Try to shmooze with other non electrical tradesman and contractors as well. Many times they know who has the work and who doesn't, and can drop a list of names of electrical contractors they have worked with.

Be persistent, and once you find a job, make the most of it. When the tide does turn on the economy, the electrical trade will be a darn good one to be in and can provide a guy and his family a good living. If this is what you really want to do, prepare for the sacrifice and keep your head up. It will pay off in the long run.

Shockdoc · 04-26-2012, 05:15 PM

I give you an A+ on the essay. Damn I can't even write like that .Welcome.

dronai · 04-26-2012, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devosf

Please have a seat on my digital couch, Will. O.K. I suggest you watch the movie "Finding Nemo" today and consider this...This movie is a metaphor of your life. You are Marlin, your ambition is Dory and your future career is Nemo. Life is a cruel and unforgiving ocean that contains good and bad characters who will hurt or help you. You must navigate all the dangers and endure all the roadblocks that are placed in your path to find Nemo. Do not despair. Keep your chin up and remember your sense of humor. Stay honest and be kind to those around you, unless they are ****s, then get them out of your life. It's o.k. To take a ride on a turtles back, but I wouldn't suggest getting a lift in a whale's belly because of the digestive juices. After many difficult trials and tribulations, you will find Nemo and weep with joy and exalt in your hard-won success. And like Dory said..."Just keep swing. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming.".

Hi Cletis

HARRY304E · 04-26-2012, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wizard Will

...

I've spent the last year and a half in a terrible depression, making excuses to myself about the economy and my school's bad career services and stuff. The truth is I barely tried to find a job so how can I use the economy as an excuse? I have had enough of this. Its been nearly two years! I could have been a third of the way to my journeyman hours by now! Maybe closer to half! I'm tired of this depressive funk, all I'm doing is making myself miserable, damaging my desirability as an employee and wasting my time and life. I'm ready to slap myself in the face, kick my own butt and get working. .

So as I high lighted in red it looks like the fire of life is returning to your belly.

First of all every man on this forum has been where you are today and that is about 800 members a day that come here so you are not alone.

Like you said in red You are ready to slap yourself in the face and kick your own Butt,,,Well What the hell are you waiting for?,,remember we have all been at the bottom of the sewer of life and man it sucks ,,But the rope is right there(No not for that..

) it is hanging there all the time you have to slap yourself in the face and kick your own Butt grab a hold of that rope and pull yourself out of that filthy sewer whole of life that you are swimming in right now.

Do it!, because no one will do it for you ,You must do it yourself.

The fact is you are a good man and already proven so by your performance at school you worked very hard and successfully graduated with honors.

So now you must take the next step in life and yes it will be just as scary as the last mission you put your self on.

So today was a bad day But you will wake up tomorrow get mad as hell and pull your self out of that hell hole you're in, and make your own life better.

When you are looking for a job ask them if you can help them out in the shop and work your way out into the field .

Get up every morning and look all day and you will be working before you know it.

Welcome to the jungle will......

Wizard Will · 04-29-2012, 11:33 PM

Thank you for the useful replies! Especially acebradley, I can't believe I never though about checking craigslist before. Though I have never really used it much, I always heard of it as a thing to sell or buy old couches and see questionable dating ads.

There is actually several potential listings in there for both the Bay Area and Sacramento. However, they all basically state a minimum of 1 year of experience as an Apprentice. Am I correct in assuming this is because they don't want some random guy in the crowd who doesn't know Watts from Wingnuts trying to apply and saying "make me an apprentice, dude"? I haven't had any official job experience yet, but I've obviously completed my training course at a state-approved school. Either way, I think I shall try inquiring with some of those ads. Worse that can happen is I'm told "no", right?

How do most Electrical Companies view Electrician Trainees as compared to Apprentices anyways? I only ever see Apprentices mentioned, very little about Trainees.

MIKEFLASH · 04-30-2012, 08:13 AM

Some thing else ya might try is the contractor blue book.com you can find a big list of electrical contractors in there to call, or some ya can find on the internet. Me personally i used this plus just picking up the phone book and calling , alot of companies will allow you to email them a resume. The biggest thing is dont take no for an answer just keep trying, you have to make looking for a job your job right now. Hang in there 

**MDShunk** · 04-30-2012, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wizard Will

Thank you for the useful replies! Especially acebradley, I can't believe I never though about checking craigslist before. Though I have never really used it much, I always heard of it as a thing to sell or buy old couches and see questionable dating ads.

There is actually several potential listings in there for both the Bay Area and Sacramento. However, they all basically state a minimum of 1 year of experience as an Apprentice. Am I correct in assuming this is because they don't want some random guy in the crowd who doesn't know Watts from Wingnuts trying to apply and saying "make me an apprentice, dude"? I haven't had any official job experience yet, but I've obviously completed my training course at a state-approved school. Either way, I think I shall try inquiring with some of those ads. Worse that can happen is I'm told "no", right?

How do most Electrical Companies view Electrician Trainees as compared to Apprentices anyways? I only ever see Apprentices mentioned, very little about Trainees.

Funny thing about employment ads. They list their ideal candidate, even if some of the qualifications are listed as "musts". Apply anyhow. Apply for anything and everything that interests you. What's the worst thing that will happen? Somebody you'll never see again in your life will tell you "no". Big deal. You need to brush up on your interview skills anyhow, so no better way than lining up a bunch of interviews for jobs that you may or may not get. Remember, looking for a job is a full time job. Just like sales, landing a job is all about ratios too. You need a certain number of applications/resumes to get an interview. You need a certain number of interviews to get a job. Apply often. Meet people often. Send resumes often. Schedule interviews often. Something will pan out. It has to. It's simply mathematical.

Again, looking for a job is a full time job.

Hom101 · 04-30-2012, 10:57 AM

What I did was lookup all the possible contractors in bluebook.com and then wake up early each morning making at least 15 phone calls to contractors. But don't count the messages left. A successful phone call is actually talking to someone. You'll find something in no time. Also try craigslist. Good luck!

Pete H · 04-30-2012, 02:47 PM

Go where there is work. Don't wait for the work to come to you. Move to an area with low unemployment, such as North Dakota. The economy is booming due to the oil industry. It is a trickle down effect. Join the military. Volunteer part of your time for Habitat for Humanity and work with an experienced electrician to keep your skills up to date. Go to the library and read read read. Go to the local tech schools and read their job board and apply to many. Work 8 hours a day as if you had a job devoted to getting a job.

You're young. Get out of your comfort zone and see the world.

Good Luck.

Frasbee · 04-30-2012, 04:13 PM

Your school should have some sort of work placement department.

If they don't, then you really did waste your money.

acebradley · 05-01-2012, 03:33 PM

One of the companies I worked for loved to hire green, I mean brand new no experience green guys, because they looked at it as cheap labor. I would beware of the educational benefits of working for some of those companies, purely because of my observations of the quality of some of the workers you get trained by (10 year apprentices!), but it could get your foot in the door (just make sure you read your code book often!).

As far as applying for jobs with no experience goes, just go for it. Just be honest and tell them you only know what you have been taught in trade school, but you want to learn as much as you can and will work your ass off for good knowledge. Your desire to work hard and learn a lot can go a long way if it is genuine.

chicken steve · 05-01-2012, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Like you said in red You are ready to slap yourself in the face and kick your own Butt,,,Well What the hell are you waiting for?,,remember we have all been at the bottom of the sewer of life and man it sucks ,,But the rope is right there(No not for that..

) it is hanging there all the time you have to slap yourself in the face and kick your own Butt grab a hold of that rope and pull yourself out of that filthy sewer whole of life that you are swimming in right now.

once in a while you really do hit home Harry

listen up Ace, lotta years and milage here

here's a tune a pal used to sing when i b*tched from my sewer hole.....

YouTube Video

~CS~

RGH · 05-02-2012, 05:16 AM

funny thing about life...everyday the sun comes up...every friggen day...if you want...when you get up today ...you can start new too..today is a new day...get up and do whatever you want...but do something...for now you have the gift of a NEW DAY...THATS WHY ITS CALLED THE PRESENT..open day and make it what you want...