I would either choose to become a licensed electrician and/or an electrical engineer and eventually plan on opening my own firm.

 

Do you have to wear a tie around the office? I'd quit just for that alone. Safety issues of course.(NOT)

 

Based on your history of posting I think you should look into Medical school or possibly law school?

 

I like the office and professional setting myself.
I have never done PM work. I was an outside salesman with a territory.
Very good job and you must be a self starter. There were times I only was in the office once all week.
I had no problem with a tie.

I worked in the field before this job and got first hand knowledge about the two.

Only you can decide Joe. I hope it all works out and you find yourself happy.
Being happy and loving your job is important, but not a requirement. I am living proof it is possible to advance in this business.
Good luck. Be happy! Then things will fall into place for you.

 

"I was an outside salesman with a territory."

"I am living proof it is possible to advance in this business."

What and for what type of business were you selling, if you don't mind me asking?

 

3) Sooooooo, I found out that my union has approved our apprenticeship for college credit. I have 2 years of college credit at the moment. I could go to school for two more years and become an electrical engineer. I would most likely have more options and variety in employement.

I doubt that you could get an accredited bachelor's in engineering in two years with your apprenticeship. Your apprenticeship may count as some kind of associate's degree, that would be a good thing if the union got their program accredited.

But with any associate's degree, it doesn't matter what you're union will approve, it matters what the college or university you transfer into will accept and transfer as college credits, and how much of the transferred credits fill your degree requirements. (Keep in mind, that means they get to give you a degree without taking your money, so they aren't that keen on being fair about transferring in credits.)

To get a bachelor's in engineering I think you'd need to take calculus i, ii, iii, differential equations, and an engineering mathematics course, and the prerequisites would probably work out so you'd be hard pressed to squeeze those into two years, plus the credit load might just be unmanageable.

Of course I am sure there is some online college that will let you pay your fee, get your C, and have a degree.

 

Here's the thing, it's really boring work (IMO) also the long hours can be annoying. Office politics aren't any fun either. In fact, we have had 9 project managers and estimators leave in the last 4 months.

I stuck out doing a job I hated for 23 years because I was very well compensated and had a hard time imaging making less money. I was miserable. Finally, the economics of the job market forced me out of my job and I couldn't find another job that used my skills. I retrained as an electrician and I consider it the best thing that ever happened to me. I am so much happier.

So, what I've noticed is they don't promote assistant PMs, they hire from outside the company. One dude has been an APM for 2 years here and they won't even give him a change to run his own jobs!

There are two reasons a company does not promote someone from within: (1) The person is too valuable doing their existing job; or (2) The person is unqualified for the promotion. If you are neither of these and you indicate to management your desire to be promoted, it's likely you will be (eventually).

Are you sure you want to be promoted? It might be just as boring. If you're looking for a promotion just for more money, I suggest you take a different job that will make you happier.

I could go to school for two more years and become an electrical engineer. I would most likely have more options and variety in employment.

Don't make assumptions about the job market for EE's. Do a lot of research (including talking to EE's in the field). You don't want to waste a lot of time trying to get a job nobody is hiring for. While you're talking to those EE's, find out if they are happy doing it and why.

 

Joe,
The simple answer is that you have to move out to move up.