being an electrician: experience?

[slackerinabox]

I'm pretty burnt out from my IT career and have been thinking about old fashioned, stable jobs that can't be outsourced or replaced by robots (yet). My wife's a teacher, which is suitably old school and, as a tinkerer, I think being an electrician would be a fun change of pace. Aside from necessary coursework, what's the typical path to a career?

Starting pay seems low, but that's ok - my mom was a maid when I was my kid's age. Gotta start somewhere! But what's the realistic salary ceiling in a major city like NYC? Is the market for apprentices ultra competitive or is it a fairly straightforward process? will I be ancient starting this journey at 33? Is owning your own shop usually the ultimate goal, or is a union job? Any experiences would be great! I'm partially feeling a bit old in my early 30s to start from scratch in a career, but I really have been feeling bored of the IT racket.

 

[Imp]

No first hand experience, but I wouldn't count on it being un-outsource-able. They've been bringing trades people into Canada while citizens are available.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/canadians-expose-foreign-worker-mess-in-oilsands-1.2750730

But if you're interested, it's worth a shot.

 

[Mai72]

Any job has the potential to be outsourced or lost thru automation. If you do your job well you should have no issues. Life is short.

My dad's neighbor was a union electrician for 39 years. He made $40 an hour at the height of his career. He now gets an amazing pension plus health benefits.

 

[BoomerD]

I would bet that the apprentice spots in NYC are HIGHLY competitive...and possibly more than slightly "nepotistic." In many big cities, those coveted apprenticeships go to "someone who knows someone," or someone related to someone...not just "joe schmoe" who wants to get in the trade. (and all too often, you need some kind of "minority credit" to get your foot in the door as well.)

 

[slackerinabox]

I would bet that the apprentice spots in NYC are HIGHLY competitive...and possibly more than slightly "nepotistic." In many big cities, those coveted apprenticeships go to "someone who knows someone," or someone related to someone...not just "joe schmoe" who wants to get in the trade. (and all too often, you need some kind of "minority credit" to get your foot in the door as well.)

Hmm, that's what I thought. Will do more homework then, wonder if a technical school with job placement assistance would help. I think it would be an adventure,a nice change of pace that keeps me away from a cubicle.

 

[BoomerD]

Hmm, that's what I thought. Will do more homework then, wonder if a technical school with job placement assistance would help. I think it would be an adventure,a nice change of pace that keeps me away from a cubicle.

I don't know if "technical school" will get your foot in the door with the local union...MAYBE...but the only way to know for sure is to go talk to them.

BUT, there are lots of good-paying trades that you CAN learn in a trade school...such as building maintenance...become a stationary engineer that works in the large buildings, maintaining the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. Those usually pay very nicely.

https://www.iuoe.org/jobs/stationary-engineer

 

[Carson Dyle]

The grass is always greener.

 

[Fenixgoon]

welding, if you are good at it, can also be lucrative.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Funny since I've been thinking the exact same thing, I'm in IT/telecom but there are big company transformations going on which always means people get laied off. Anybody that sits in front of a computer is at high risk of these things because it's pretty much a non issue to outsource or move jobs that don't require physical presence.

Been toying with the idea of getting into electrical as well.

That, or mining, but that is some harsher conditions. I think it's easier to get into though. Once you're established with a house and bills etc going back to school is not an option but can go as an apprentice or a job that does not require any special certification. There is absolutely no tech related jobs here at least not right now. There's the odd ball minimum wage IT job that comes out every now and then but it's rare and typically gets flooded with applicants.

Though even in the case of trades, with the TFW program outsourcing is still possible.

Why pay someone a decent wage when some guy from out of the country is willing to do the same job for 10 cents an hour? These "temps" typically get free housing and everything too... on the tax payer's dime.

Things are really getting scary these days and it's going to continue getting worse as companies become more and more greedy. Companies consider it a failure if they made the same amount of money as the year before, so every year they need to cut costs and/or increase profits. Typically people are the victims.

I foresee a future where over 95% of jobs are outsourced or automated and almost everyone is unemployed and living terribly. The economy will collapse because nobody will be able to afford anything so even these big companies who managed to get rid of most of their employees wont be making enough money as nobody is buying their product/services anymore and all crap out. Then small businesses will have a chance, then hire people, then become big corporations, and the cycle will continue.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Until they get into the field, I don't think many people realize just how menial many IT jobs can be.

In large corporations it might mean spending eight hours a day, every single day doing nothing but answering helpdesk calls from office workers to help them figure out why their mice or their printers or their spreadsheets don't work. In smaller companies like the OP's, the "IT guy" might do everything from managing servers to installing printers to programming the phone system. In many companies this type of job is the modern day equivalent of a custodial job. ("Tom, the sink in the ladies room is leaking again. Thanks.")

And, yes, there's no reason why many jobs requiring actual technical skills cannot be outsourced. In fact, the Internet makes it very easy and it can be a big money saver for companies vs. keeping qualified full-time staff. Contract with a service company to do the heavy lifting of network and server management, for the few hours each week that it might require, then hire someone out of high school or with a community college associate degree for $11/hour to work doing things like fixing PCs and cleaning crumbs out of keyboards.

 

[Meghan54]

welding, if you are good at it, can also be lucrative.

Very true. Worked for a guy who spent most of his life welding. He'd been good enough that he spent a lot of time at the end of his career welding in nuclear power plant construction....the piping for the coolant, etc.

He amassing quite a bit of capital over his welding career, enough in fact that he bought a small strip shopping center and quit welding.

 

[slackerinabox]

Funny since I've been thinking the exact same thing, I'm in IT/telecom but there are big company transformations going on which always means people get laied off. Anybody that sits in front of a computer is at high risk of these things because it's pretty much a non issue to outsource or move jobs that don't require physical presence.

Been toying with the idea of getting into electrical as well.

That, or mining, but that is some harsher conditions. I think it's easier to get into though. Once you're established with a house and bills etc going back to school is not an option but can go as an apprentice or a job that does not require any special certification. There is absolutely no tech related jobs here at least not right now. There's the odd ball minimum wage IT job that comes out every now and then but it's rare and typically gets flooded with applicants.

Though even in the case of trades, with the TFW program outsourcing is still possible.

Why pay someone a decent wage when some guy from out of the country is willing to do the same job for 10 cents an hour? These "temps" typically get free housing and everything too... on the tax payer's dime.

Things are really getting scary these days and it's going to continue getting worse as companies become more and more greedy. Companies consider it a failure if they made the same amount of money as the year before, so every year they need to cut costs and/or increase profits. Typically people are the victims.

I foresee a future where over 95% of jobs are outsourced or automated and almost everyone is unemployed and living terribly. The economy will collapse because nobody will be able to afford anything so even these big companies who managed to get rid of most of their employees wont be making enough money as nobody is buying their product/services anymore and all crap out. Then small businesses will have a chance, then hire people, then become big corporations, and the cycle will continue.

Yes, things are getting pretty awful. Seems like wherever I go IT's the least respected staff member - someone said it's turned into a custodial job, and that's an excellent way to describe it. I"m not challenged, spend most of my day dealing with unplugged usb cables and printer toner swaps (I thought that was an office manager's job?), and feel like I"m viewed as a staff member that doesn't contribute to the bottom line (like a janitor). It's really depressing, especially whenever I accomplish a major project and recognition's absolutely zippo. I don't expect a party in my honor, but I also don't expect disrespect. Coders get more respect and have the cool hair and outfits here in NYC, but I"ve never seen a 40 year old coder... Seems like they all set themselves on fire when they turn 35 or something.

Anyways, all I'll be doing for the next few weeks is think about old fashioned occupations that reward hard work and can't be easily replaced by a $11,000 a year service contract (which our emergency IT consultant hawks endlessly to my superiors, when I"m sitting right there!). Learning a new skill will be fun, and probably help with my shitty occupational self esteem.

 

[ch33zw1z]

I've often said that if I start at 18 again I'd do a trade first, something like electrical. Then you have something to fall back on, IT can be a very big PITA with little appreciation for your knowledge.

 

[pete6032]

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/mobile/electricians.htm

 

[squirrel dog]

The IBEW has an apprentice program where you earn as you learn . If you work out (show up on time , do as instructed) then you are given a test and are asked to join the union . After that , unless you really bomb , you are good . To become a licensed electrician in most states requires passing a test or tests , involving ohm,s law among other things . As in most trades your reputation is your calling card , so keep politics , and other hot topics like family strife to yourself . At most jobs when an employee says "I'm sick" 70 percent are glad to here it , the other 30 percent could care less . The really cool thing about being in any trade is you get to move around (on the job,not move your house), you are not stuck in the same office or site for ever.

 

[alkemyst]

I am in the high end IT field.

They estimate by 2035-45 most of our work force including surgeons could be replaced by robots.

Without knowing what you make now and what you are hoping for, no one can say if this is smart.

Personally if you are good at IT, do CCIE and be done with it. If you aren't making the money you want do a second, then third or fourth, etc.

Be able to speak to it and solve complex problems, profit.

 

[master_shake_]

i for one am ready for robot mechanics.

i am sick of tucking my torso under a dash just to find out my left arm won't fit too.

i actually applied to the ibew, turns out i couldn't suck a dick well enough and i had no family in the union.

 

[dartworth]

i actually applied to the ibew, turns out i couldn't suck a dick well enough and i had no family in the union.

This goes for most unions in the building trades. :|

 

[alkemyst]

you guys probably don't have the skills you think you have.

 

[JEDI]

I don't know if "technical school" will get your foot in the door with the local union...MAYBE...but the only way to know for sure is to go talk to them.

BUT, there are lots of good-paying trades that you CAN learn in a trade school...such as building maintenance...become a stationary engineer that works in the large buildings, maintaining the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. Those usually pay very nicely.

https://www.iuoe.org/jobs/stationary-engineer

hm.. google
http://www.iuoelocal77.com/about.aspx#mid

Local 77 is a labor union that represents skilled equipment operators in the construction industry.

Operating Engineers can be found on any project using construction equipment. "Heavy Equipment" is a blanket term for numerous types of machines: Cranes, bulldozers, front end loaders, rollers, backhoes, graders, dredges, hoists, drills, pumps, and compressors are just some of the equipment used by Operating Engineers.


Doesn't sounds like building work?

 

[dartworth]

Operating Engineers =/= stationary engineer

 

[OverVolt]

I am so one step ahead of you guys :awe:

In 1997 only 36.6% had a computer, yet alone internet. And look how many people latched onto them and went into IT.

 

[MongGrel]

you guys probably don't have the skills you think you have.

Same applies to you but you've managed to convince people otherwise.

 

[stormkroe]

My top 2 guys make $65/hr here in alberta doing electrical, next tier down is $50. If you're in Canadia, trades make good money. Unfortunately, it's really hard to find competent workers, ESPECIALLY 1st year apprentices. When the momma's boy that doesn't show up for work 2 days a week or untrained over-entitled patch electricians quit demanding lotto wages I'll start feeling sad about foreign workers coming in.

 

[BoomerD]

hm.. google
http://www.iuoelocal77.com/about.aspx#mid

Local 77 is a labor union that represents skilled equipment operators in the construction industry.

Operating Engineers can be found on any project using construction equipment. "Heavy Equipment" is a blanket term for numerous types of machines: Cranes, bulldozers, front end loaders, rollers, backhoes, graders, dredges, hoists, drills, pumps, and compressors are just some of the equipment used by Operating Engineers.


Doesn't sounds like building work?

Operating Engineers =/= stationary engineer

Definitely NOT the same...but, in many places, they are represented by the same overall general union...
Working as a stationary engineer can be a damned good way to make a living.