Decent idea? Regarding: Jobs/Career Track [Cable Installer]

[destrekor]

So, without any actual paid experience, and without any certifications (cert training - never paid for cert exams) - getting into the IT field in a position that can pay a livable wage is... difficult.

I'm tired of the shit I've been doing, and realize I simply need to take what I can and hope I can utilize each little bit of experience and slowly move up.


Take what I can, in this case, may end up being Cable TV Installation Tech: working for a business (contractor) that is one of the organizations that does this job for our local cable company (this is probably how it's handled just about everywhere, I imagine).

There's going to be some shitty aspects to the job (don't need to steer me away - I've gone through all the "this job will suck" details in my head, multiple times ), but could it serve as a decent launching pad into the IT and/or communications field?
I don't desire to work with utility lines and in this style of job for a lengthy period of time, preferably never, but if I can use it to get somewhere better that's in the same "field", it would do me good.

Could it even help if I'm interested in an IT-department job/career? I still haven't exactly figured out what the hell I want to do for the rest of my life, but I want to enjoy the concepts/technology and, more days than not, enjoy my job.

I ask this because it sounds like I can basically have this job the moment I say I want it.

 

[blackdogdeek]

what is your current skillset?

nunchuk and bowhunting skills do not count.

 

[purbeast0]

my friend had been doing installations for companies like verizon, doing fios installation for years, and got laid off a while back. he ended up getting in on a contract installing similar stuff in government buildings, and once that contract was up he basically had no job.

he found another job doing similar work, but now he's also going to school to learn network engineering and get some certs in that down the road.

so it kinda sounds like you are thinking of doing what one of my buddies is currently doing. he was making good money w/verizon though because they paid OT. he was breaking like $80k pretty easily, and my other friend with verizon was clearing $100k due to the OT. i believe OT is double pay but not 100%.

but again, verizon laid off a lot of people so he doesn't have that anymore.

 

[tHa ShIzNiT]

I dont see how that would translate into an IT job, but I dont know much about that I suppose. I graduated with a degree in information systems, and never made my way into any IT job either. I'm in insurance right now, and it kinda sucks so I know that feeling.

Anyways, I took a job as a cable installation guy a while ago, only lasted about 3 weeks before I quit for another job. It was pretty lame, way too many ways to die on the job. We were climbing up electric poles, climbing into nasty spider-filled attics and whatnot, reaching down into crazy utility holes in the ground (also spider-filled). We had to carry voltage testers and touch everything with them to see if we would get fried by said object. One girl I trained with was rather large, and completely unable to climb the ladder to get up the poles, she was just frozen with terror. I dont know how, but she still ended up getting the job I think. Maybe they just always had someone go with her wherever she went, who was capable of climbing.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

cable installer is not a decent launching pad for IT. if you're in-house, you will have extremely limited opportunities for growth. if you're a contractor, the 1 and only opportunity for growth is being hired as a full-time employee by the cable company.

from my experience, it's very difficult to transition from cable guy to a better job. starting as a contractor would be a counter-productive first step if you can avoid it. you have to make the most of every opportunity to learn your craft, kiss ass fiercely, and give them zero reasons to dislike you.

 

[destrekor]

what is your current skillset?

nunchuk and bowhunting skills do not count.

Well, I have CCNA training, and am comfortable with routing/IOS, but would need a lot of refresher to really jump into that field as a career - and that's one where a cert is basically demanded or your resume is thrown out on first review. So, a LOT more of a refresher and money to risk on the exam. No time nor interest, honestly.

User-end troubleshooting of A+ and server-to-client/network issues, I can handle. Might take a little time to get up to speed, especially since I have little experience with the majority of the software packages IT departments deploy in the corporate environment - but at the same time, I'm familiar with the concepts and with hands-on time I am confident I'd get comfortable - and at the worst, I do know where/how to look.. which in troubleshooting is usually half the battle.

Honestly, still not even certain IT or even the communications field is really where I want to be 10-20 years from now. I just know it's a field where my knowledge/interests mesh up, and I want a career where I can use/build upon the way my brain works. This field is a top prospect in that regard - with a chance to have hands-on, most of these concepts just "click" - and it really just falls into building experience with specific software packages/interfaces.

If I don't pursue anything related to communications or IT, I'd ideally like to fall into some sort of analysis analytical position - possibly still in this field, specifically "cyber" or, what my degree was aimed for, international relations.

Regarding that, one "dream job" for the somewhat near future, would be at a "think-tank."
How to make my way towards that, however, is something of which I am even more clueless. Stumbling into the right person and convincing them I am capable... that's one way, and I am indeed constantly looking for such an individual to cross my path.
Building on my B.A. and working on a Masters/PhD toward that end is something I constantly consider -- yet, it's risky and a financial gamble I cannot afford to take at the moment, or afford at all; I'd rather pay off the first loans that, thus far, didn't amount to much other than a degree that has little use for me unless I extend that into graduate studies, I reckon.

 

[destrekor]

cable installer is not a decent launching pad for IT. if you're in-house, you will have extremely limited opportunities for growth. if you're a contractor, the 1 and only opportunity for growth is being hired as a full-time employee by the cable company.

from my experience, it's very difficult to transition from cable guy to a better job. starting as a contractor would be a counter-productive first step if you can avoid it. you have to make the most of every opportunity to learn your craft, kiss ass fiercely, and give them zero reasons to dislike you.

That's kind of what I figured, in all honesty.

But one thing on my mind was using it to: a) get into the cable company and work my way toward the more technical side of the house; or b) use it to try and get into wireless telco's and take a similar approach to the former from there.

 

[destrekor]

I dont see how that would translate into an IT job, but I dont know much about that I suppose. I graduated with a degree in information systems, and never made my way into any IT job either. I'm in insurance right now, and it kinda sucks so I know that feeling.

Anyways, I took a job as a cable installation guy a while ago, only lasted about 3 weeks before I quit for another job. It was pretty lame, way too many ways to die on the job. We were climbing up electric poles, climbing into nasty spider-filled attics and whatnot, reaching down into crazy utility holes in the ground (also spider-filled). We had to carry voltage testers and touch everything with them to see if we would get fried by said object. One girl I trained with was rather large, and completely unable to climb the ladder to get up the poles, she was just frozen with terror. I dont know how, but she still ended up getting the job I think. Maybe they just always had someone go with her wherever she went, who was capable of climbing.

Yeah... I'm NOT looking forward to all the spiders.

I'm not deathly afraid of ladders, but not "oh hey look at me!" comfortable. But I have climbed on more sketchy things during Army training, so I know I am capable if I get in the right mindset. Plus, during the in-house training I'd be subjected to ladders enough, I imagine, that I'd be comfortable enough to not be terrified (though it doesn't hurt to never be comfortable - that can be good, keeps you on your toes - when you are too comfortable, there's the risk of sloppy mistakes, and on ladders that can might mean you get only one strike).

For the immediate future, I am still strongly considering it just for the sake it might finally be a job that, no matter how much it sucks, pays enough to finally gets me out of the parent's home.
That's probably the strongest driver, which is why I am trying to take a step back and consider it far more objectively: a college graduate and still living at home because I can't make enough to pay current debt, rent, and eat. It's enough to give me little fits of depression and I seriously need to meet some of those first-order goals/needs so I can feel truly alive again.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

what exactly is the contractor job? what is being provided by the contractor, and what if anything is coming out of your pocket? if they want you to buy your own meter, walk away.

the installer/service tech position in-house is an area that sees a lot of churn. keep banging on the door and they'll let you in. if you start with a contractor, the cable co's field supervisor is the man you want to be friends with - it's his job and decision who gets it.

 

[destrekor]

what exactly is the contractor job? what is being provided by the contractor, and what if anything is coming out of your pocket? if they want you to buy your own meter, walk away.

the installer/service tech position in-house is an area that sees a lot of churn. keep banging on the door and they'll let you in. if you start with a contractor, the cable co's field supervisor is the man you want to be friends with - it's his job and decision who gets it.

It's in-home install service, and the one ugly bit about it is you buy all tools.

when you say meter, you mean, like a voltmeter? I'd have to check on that one.
For this kind of job, what type/quality meter would be we talking? $500 Flukes, or some $50 model?

Because yeah, that's probably an important piece: in the end I wouldn't mind having the collection of most of these tools, even if I only have this specific type of job for a few months - but paying for a 400-600 meter, I'd probably have to do as you say, walk away.

Our cable company basically works like this: start part-time at the help-desk, or start with a contractor. From what I hear, it's a fairly strict approach too: if you want to move further into the company, you aren't even considered without either 6 months of time at the help-desk, or 12 months with a contractor.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

if you're performing internet or phone installations, you'll need a meter like this:

DSAM-6300 Network Maintenance Sweep Meter with DOCSIS / EuroDOCSIS Capabilities, roughly $5000. if you buy 1 from ebay, i promise it will be stolen and broken.

ask the contractor what the situation is with SLMs or signal level meters. the cable company might furbish some older units for contractor use since they want it to work, and these are expensive and essential.

do you have to provide your own vehicle and ladders as well? getting this job is suddenly very expensive!

 

[lupi]

what happened to that joining the army stuff.

 

[destrekor]

if you're performing internet or phone installations, you'll need a meter like this:

DSAM-6300 Network Maintenance Sweep Meter with DOCSIS / EuroDOCSIS Capabilities, roughly $5000. if you buy 1 from ebay, i promise it will be stolen and broken.

sweet jesus!

I would have hoped they would have informed it that would be one of the tools they'd be selling me. I'll have to check with him tomorrow.
But as I was told: "some specialty equipment we'll get for you, and we just take $10 from each check until it's paid off. basic stuff, like screwdrivers, toolbelt, etc you can go out and get on your own."

That'd be a lot of checks until paid off. D:
I honestly doubt I'd be paying for it - though they may have some kind of less expensive versions. Hopefully that'd be a provided tool and they just charge you if it goes missing when/if you quit. (and likely the same if it gets stolen from the truck)

 

[destrekor]

what happened to that joining the army stuff.

I'm in the Reserve. So I still need a civilian career.

 

[Rumpltzer]

The guy who installed my FiOS was awesome. Big dude, and I have no idea how he was able to squeeze himself into the little hole that leads to my crawlspace.

He was doing FiOS installations as a springboard to MMA fighting.

Have you thought about that?

 

[boomhower]

I sucks, I've done it. You will need tools. Your obvious basic hand tools and a GOOD QUALITY hammer drill. The specialty tools are minor but mainly some tools for making cables and running interior wall fishes. They will supply the scanners and we certainly didn't need or use that fancy scanner posted above. Ours were pretty simple and essentially just told you what the signal level was. If it was low you just troubleshoot to where the problem was.

Why the job sucks:
1. It's paid per job. Whether you go to track housing and spend 45 minutes doing an install or an older neighborhood where you have to pull the line from an overhead line and run new lines all through the house spending three hours.
2. The hours suck. From seven in the mourning until you get done seven days a week.
3. Doing cut-offs in the projects.
4. Pretty much no advancement. Most contractors have a couple of field supervisors and that's it. After you gain experience you could move the real cable company.
5. Being 40' in the air on a line coated in ice during a storm sucks. Working outside when it's 10 degrees sucks, it's hard to make lines when you can't feel your fingers. Working in attics when it's 110 outside makes it 130 where you are. Crawling in mud in craw spaces and so many other crappy working conditions than I can recall.
6. The guys that have been there longer will get the easier and better paying jobs. Full installs with internet and phone pay the best, followed by full installs. Upgrades, box installs, and disconnects are a waste of time as the pay sucks.

But different contractors can operate differently. The pay by the job thing pissed me off the most. I did it for six months before I said screw it. The pay wasn't bad but when I figured it by hour it was depressing.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

for hand tools, i definitely recommend klein - $25 for 9-inch pliers that will take decades of use and abuse

 

[amdhunter]

<-- Was a cable guy for 5 years.
Started in 2001 as a "Level 3" tech for Time Warner Cable Southern. I was their lead Southern Manhattan tech, and my best friend was the lead tech for Northern (87th street - up.) All I did was touch computers, no cable at all.

I made a ton of money and it was a TON of fun - until one day a union rep came to talk to us, and they closed our shop down literally the next day.

Then I had to become a full-fledged cable installer, which was a fucking horrible demeaning experience in Manhattan.

When you go there to fix their computers, people are nice, give tips (my best was $220 from a Russian guy, average was $20 per job @ 10 jobs a day) and even feed you.

When you go there as a cable guy, you are treated like shit, they think you are their interior decorator asking you to run cable all sorts of stupid ways, and they give you dick for tip. Average tip was a glass of water, and even then you had to ask. I've had people deny me water because they didn't trust my germs.

Fuck being a cable guy.

I SWEAR ON MY LIFE THE FOLLOWING IS 100% TRUE - I used to dream at night about being PISSED at work. A LOT.

Imagine being pissed when you are asleep, to actually HAVE to go and do that job when you wake up. I was borderline suicidal. It's a fucking humiliating job - well, at least with the snobs in Manhattan it was.

 

[amdhunter]

3. Doing cut-offs in the projects.

Hah, friend of mine was stabbed in the projects, and another got his finger cut off in the lock box when someone approached him suddenly. Another guy, who started after I quit, got stuck by a needle with dried blood inside.

I didn't mind working the projects really, because most of the time you couldn't staple the wiring to the walls because it was too hard, so all you had to do was leave loose cable and be in and out in a few minutes.

We were told to use a hammer and mount them with nails (and that clamp) but I never once offered.

I used to take jobs in the projects and chill most of the day. People weren't that bad as long as you were doing service calls and not disconnects.

 

[Red Squirrel]

If you want to move up in telecommunications, cable installer is a decent place to start. Once you are higher up in telecommunications (ex: CO tech, NOC tech etc) then you can always try to go into IT. Though personally, I come from IT and switched to NOC (mostly telco stuff), and love it. I find IT has become a janitor-like field and non appreciated. As an IT guy you are the users' little bitch and nothing more than that.

 

[Doppel]

Future of cable tv seems dubious, but more to the point no I don't think it's a good launching point. The last guy at my house who hooked up satellite I have little confidence could have really done anything IT related, even if he did put some wires into some ports.

 

[destrekor]

If you want to move up in telecommunications, cable installer is a decent place to start. Once you are higher up in telecommunications (ex: CO tech, NOC tech etc) then you can always try to go into IT. Though personally, I come from IT and switched to NOC (mostly telco stuff), and love it. I find IT has become a janitor-like field and non appreciated. As an IT guy you are the users' little bitch and nothing more than that.

I was just looking more into the terms, as I'm familiar with the basics of how Telco's and broadcast-type enterprises run - but have little familiarity in the specifics of the internal schematics/hierarchy, and that would most certainly be one of the "still a hazy horizon but getting closer" type goals. And seeing the details, it does mesh up with the ideas I was having with "IT/Communications."

I figured, if anything, corporate IT world would still be, in my eyes, a stepping stone as I try to make progress across the river. I'd hate to END there - I'd probably go postal... and we're gonna need a new term, it's gonna happen: "going tech" ? hmm, postal is still more catchy

And honestly, if I were to go tech-focused [or cyber-security] analysis (the great cyber war is looming in the future ), getting time in a NOC would be sort of a "last step" before I could start wading across the next body of water toward my dream mesh of International Relations and IT/Cyber Security.

I still envision, unless I get lucky, I'll likely need much more schooling. But that's for the future - when some kind of income makes it possible.

Here I go waxing on about, and getting all starry-eyed, about future dream jobs. But if I finally get anywhere close to what I think is "the right track", maybe those dreamy visions will help me stay focused enough to make it possible. :hmm:

Was just looking today, and their IS a full-time computer job open at the actual cable company. I'm gonna actually have to put in a persistent, "hire him just so he shuts the hell up" fight to get on their radar. Hopefully I can sell what I do know, because even the preferred qualifications/job functions make it sound stupid easy for what I know I am (and am not) capable of at this point in time.

 

[destrekor]

Future of cable tv seems dubious, but more to the point no I don't think it's a good launching point. The last guy at my house who hooked up satellite I have little confidence could have really done anything IT related, even if he did put some wires into some ports.

Cable TV... sure, ever so slightly dubious. But cable internet, when DOCSIS 3 high-tier speeds are just becoming standard, isn't going anywhere.

But hell, if I do go this install route, there's no way in hell I'd be there long enough to see "the future of cable tv."

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Future of cable tv seems dubious, but more to the point no I don't think it's a good launching point. The last guy at my house who hooked up satellite I have little confidence could have really done anything IT related, even if he did put some wires into some ports.

their business practices are dubious, but their prosperity and survivability i have no doubts about.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I was just looking more into the terms, as I'm familiar with the basics of how Telco's and broadcast-type enterprises run - but have little familiarity in the specifics of the internal schematics/hierarchy, and that would most certainly be one of the "still a hazy horizon but getting closer" type goals. And seeing the details, it does mesh up with the ideas I was having with "IT/Communications."

I figured, if anything, corporate IT world would still be, in my eyes, a stepping stone as I try to make progress across the river. I'd hate to END there - I'd probably go postal... and we're gonna need a new term, it's gonna happen: "going tech" ? hmm, postal is still more catchy

And honestly, if I were to go tech-focused [or cyber-security] analysis (the great cyber war is looming in the future ), getting time in a NOC would be sort of a "last step" before I could start wading across the next body of water toward my dream mesh of International Relations and IT/Cyber Security.

I still envision, unless I get lucky, I'll likely need much more schooling. But that's for the future - when some kind of income makes it possible.

Here I go waxing on about, and getting all starry-eyed, about future dream jobs. But if I finally get anywhere close to what I think is "the right track", maybe those dreamy visions will help me stay focused enough to make it possible. :hmm:

Was just looking today, and their IS a full-time computer job open at the actual cable company. I'm gonna actually have to put in a persistent, "hire him just so he shuts the hell up" fight to get on their radar. Hopefully I can sell what I do know, because even the preferred qualifications/job functions make it sound stupid easy for what I know I am (and am not) capable of at this point in time.

It's worth applying for sure, the nice thing with working for an ISP like my case is there are lot of different places to move to. I started as a help desk tech, then moved to server tech, and now I'm a NOC tech, which is more on the telephony side of the company. Not too many companies allow you to have such a broad variety of positions. Heck, you could even start as a customer service rep, and eventually end up in IT.