Choosing a career as an electrician has been a life-changing move for countless individuals. However, figuring out if it’s the right fit for you demands careful consideration and insight.
Choosing a profession is no small matter, so you’ll want to do your research and make an informed decision. If you’re considering a profession in electricity but aren’t sure if it’s right for you, consider the following traits.
Our poll found that many of those who had chosen jobs in the field of electricity had been interested in it ever since they were young, and that few of them now regretted doing so.
Electricians primarily engage in two areas: construction, involving blueprint analysis, system installation, and testing, or maintenance, focusing on repairing existing systems. Typically, contractors hire electricians for the crucial final stages of construction projects.
Electricians who specialize in maintenance work for businesses of all sizes, from huge factories and offices to hospitals. One electrician said, “If you make it to the training and spend some time with someone decent, you’ll be okay.” Practically all of today’s licensed electricians have first completed a formal apprenticeship program that emphasizes education and training.
Only those who are detail-oriented, reliable, and have good judgment on the fly should think about a career as an electrician. Electricians need to be able to read drawings and specifications, connect and test electrical components, and troubleshoot problems. They need to know and abide by all state and national electrical rules. Those that excel have both a strong academic grasp of electrical systems and strong practical skills and patience to put that knowledge into practice.
Workplace accidents are common, but electricians face 10 times the danger of the average worker when it comes to electrical shock. Most accidents like these happen at the conclusion of a long shift, when people are rushing to get something done, or when the plans were drafted wrong.
For aspiring electricians, knowing when to halt due to risk is essential. Moreover, the field now increasingly overlaps with telecommunications and computer wiring, expanding opportunities.
New buildings are often hardwired for networks and telecommunications from the get-go, thus the installation of these systems occurs simultaneously.
More than 15% of electricians receive extra training in wiring, communication networks, and electrical interfaces so they can handle these tasks independently.
Contents
The Dangers of Working As An Electrician
Being an electrician has several advantages. There are a few dangers you should be aware of before enrolling in an electrical technician training program, and we’ll talk about them in a moment.
The following are some of the dangers you should think about seriously.
Not Immediately Can You Expect to Work as a Fully-Fledged Electrician
Some individuals believe that enrolling in the electrical specialist training program is all that is required to enter the field of electrical wiring and repair.
To become an electrician, you must attend a trade or vocational school. However, this is merely the beginning of your new professional life.
You will also need to spend several years learning the trade as an intern under an experienced electrician. This electrician will serve as your mentor and teacher while you learn the trade and prepare for a career in the field.
As an apprentice, you might not start with high-risk tasks, but be prepared to tackle the less desirable ones that come your way. It’s all part of the journey to becoming a skilled electrician.
There Will Be Lots of Non – standard Hours Required of You.
Being an electrician is not a typical 9-to-5 profession.
There can be occasions when you have to fix someone’s electrical system because they woke up to find they have no power. Sometimes, you may even have to take calls late at night.
You may expect people in your area to rely on you to assist them with any and all electrical requirements. And if you really want to prove that you can be relied upon, you will have to make some concessions to your work-life balance in order to do so.
You’ll need to be able to keep your mind on the job even if you’re working late into the night. Making even a single mistake while working with electricity is dangerous.
There Will Be Times When The Physical Demands Of Your Job Are High.
Some tasks in the electrical industry are easier than others. Changing a light bulb or putting in a new outlet isn’t exactly back-breaking labor for a homeowner.
While working on electrical projects, there will be times when you feel like you’re at your wit’s end. In order to complete a task, you may need to ascend lengthy ladders or scurry through dusty cellars.
These tasks won’t seem so daunting when you’re 25, 30, or even 35. However, after you hit your forties, 45s, 50s, and beyond, your mobility will decline.
Electrical work is hard on the body, especially the back, shoulders, knees, and feet. You should be aware of how strenuous it might be on your body.
There Will Be Times When Your Job Is Really Risky
Working with electricity inherently carries risk, no matter your level of training or experience. Safety and vigilance are non-negotiable aspects of the job.
Accidental electrocution is a real risk while installing electrical wiring or a new electrical board for a homeowner or business owner. Tragically, approximately 200 electricians lose their lives each year due to accidents on the job.
This is a negligible fraction of the overall number of electricians. However, this incident serves as a sobering reminder that becoming an electrician is not without its risks.
Reasons Why You Should Consider Electrician Training
Do Not Stress Over Employment Prospects
The need for qualified electricians is at an all-time high today. Angie’s List reports that electricians are reporting a shortage of skilled laborers. There are reportedly not really enough young electricians to compensate the numerous seasoned professionals who are reaching retirement age.
The BLS predicts a steady increase in the number of jobs available to qualified electricians. By 2022, the BLS predicts, the need for electricians will have increased by 20%.
You Can Get a Job Even If You Don’t Have a Degree
The conventional route involves spending four or more years in higher education, which may or may not lead to a better employment. The average cost of a private four-year school in the 2015-16 academic year was $32,405. Graduates often face severe financial hardship as they try to repay their hefty student loan debt.
The cost of becoming an electrician is low enough that you won’t have to sell your car or give up your savings to cover it. If you enroll in an internship position, you won’t even need to worry about college costs. The contractor you work with will cover the cost of your apprenticeship program, leaving you responsible only for textbook costs. You’ll be able to pay your bills and put yourself through school by working as an electrician.
A Satisfactory Income is in Store for You.
As of May 2015, the average annual salary for an electrician was $55,590, with the highest-earning 10% making $88,130. This income exceeds that of similar professions, such as roofers, plumbers, and construction workers.
Salaries tend to go up in tandem with levels of professional expertise. You can provide adequately for yourself and your family if you choose a career as an electrician.
Mastering These Niche Abilities Is Within Your Reach
When it comes to electrical work, most of the population looks up to electricians as experts because of the unique combination of skills and knowledge they possess. Electrical labor, after all, calls for a combination of brute force and brains. Troubleshooting electrical problems is a difficult and challenging profession that calls for a high level of experience and critical thinking.
The effort involved in electrical wiring is never boring or routine. Every day brings perhaps new challenges for an electrician.
One Can Advance Professionally
Becoming a fully-fledged electrician takes training as an intern first. Installing wiring and fixing complex electrical problems are both within your skill set as a journeyman electrician.
You can advance to the position of master electrician with time and education. A licensed electrician is qualified to create and set up comprehensive electrical networks. After gaining experience as a master electrician, you’ll be qualified to oversee the work of less experienced electricians. It’s even possible to become your own boss.
The Time and Location of Your Work Is Up to You
While many workers uproot to follow their jobs, electricians are always in demand. Because of this need, you won’t be limited to working in your home city if you decide to relocate.
Lots of electricians put in the standard 40-hour week. Others have unpredictable schedules because they travel frequently for employment or work at many locations. You are free to pick a career that allows you to set your own hours. There’s always the option of going into business for yourself.
There is no better career path than that of an electrician. If work as an electrician appeals to you, the next step is to begin a formal apprenticeship.
Describe A Typical Day In The Workplace Of An Electrician.
Being an electrician means working with your hands, frequently in the great outdoors, and facing new obstacles every day. You’ll be one of the first workers there and the last one to go as an electrician. What’s more, you’ll have more experience and education than everyone else working on the project.
Every day, as an electrician, you’ll see the results of your labor: lights will come on because you wired them properly; fire alarms will ring because you wired the sirens properly; and clinics will save life because you built their systems properly. Through your skill and insight, you will improve the lives of others and maybe even save some of them.
Because electricity is essential in almost every aspect of modern life, electricians will never be out of work.
Attributes That Indicate Being an Electrician Might Be the Career for You
Assisting Others in Finding Solutions is Something You Take Pleasure in
Troubleshooting and answering complex queries are common in the electrician’s trade. Educated electricians spend a lot of time investigating issues and stumbling onto answers.
To complete an installation or resolve a problem, one must be curious and ready to persevere until a solution is found.
If you’re good at fixing problems, you could become a good electrician. One of the best things about working as an electrician is that no two days are ever the same.
You Have Natural Talent for Manual Labor
In the beginning of your career as an electrician, you won’t be expected to understand much about electricity; that’s what your apprenticeship is for. However, a demonstrated history of ability and patience while working with your hands is an excellent indicator of your future success. As an electrician, you’ll get your hands dirty and utilize a wide variety of equipment and supplies.
Take, for example, the case where you find fulfillment in tasks like home improvement, vehicle repair, building, or gardening. If so, you might want to look into becoming an electrician.
You might also think about being an electrician if you enjoy working with your hands in other ways, such as with model building, woodworking, ceramics, or other similar pursuits.
The State of Your Health Is Excellent
Fortunately, you don’t need to be an Athlete to be a great electrician. You must be in reasonable physical condition and not frightened of rigorous work. If you want to be an electrician, you need to be able to climb, crawl, and reach with ease and precision.
If you wish to work as an electrician, you need also have strong color vision. Distinguishing between the many hues used in electrical wiring and components is a vitally important safety skill.
If you have healthy color vision and value your body, you should not rule out a career as an electrician.
The Priority of Safety Is Your Strongest Concern
Working safely is the electrician’s first priority, even above issue solving. Working with hundreds of volts of electricity requires electricians to pay close attention and make safety a priority.
You have the right frame of mind to be an electrician if you agree that accidents can always be avoided and you make safety a top priority in all you do.
Taking Part In A Group Effort Brings You Great Joy.
In most settings, electricians function as part of a larger team. On the project site, even an electrician who has their own company is likely to collaborate with other professionals.
If you are doing any sort of installation work, like wiring or installing some sort of box, you will be collaborating with other subcontractor and the main contractor.
This suggests that being an electrician might be a good fit for those who thrive in collaborative environments and like mental challenge.
Nearly two-thirds of the way through most training programs, the students who couldn’t handle the intellectual rigor have dropped out. After two years, theoretical knowledge gives way to hands-on experience.
There is still a lot of oversight, and you won’t be doing much beyond simple chores like installing and testing things or performing routine maintenance. Skills in reading blueprints are maturing. Despite poor wages, many people in the business see this as a positive experience “since you are learning a vocation.”
Think About Your Future: Would You Enjoy Working as an Electrician?
Research what it’s like to work as an electrician if that’s a profession you’re considering.
It’s likely that many local electricians would welcome the chance to tell you more about their profession. You may utilize the web to your advantage by reading blogs written by experienced electricians on how they got their careers started.
In addition, you might inquire about electrical specialist training programs at a local trade or vocational school. Both the content and price of these courses can be discussed in further detail with the program administrators.
Conclusion
It can be challenging to determine whether or not becoming an electrician is the right career path for you. Electricians face 10 times the danger of the average worker when it comes to electrical shock. There is an emerging connection between electricians and individuals who work in telecommunications and computer wiring. There are a few dangers you should be aware of before enrolling in an electrical technician training program. Being an electrician is not a typical 9-to-5 profession.
You will be expected to take on tasks that more seasoned electricians would rather avoid. Making even a single mistake while working with electricity is dangerous. Electrical work is hard on the body, especially the back, shoulders, knees, and feet. Tragically, approximately 200 electricians lose their lives each year due to accidents on the job. Becoming an electrician is low enough that you won’t have to sell your car or give up your savings to cover it.
The average annual salary for an electrician was $55,590, with the highest-earning 10% making $88,130. Electrical labor, after all, calls for a combination of brute force and brains. You are free to pick a career that allows you to set your own hours. As an electrician, you’ll see the results of your labor every day. Through your skill and insight, you will improve the lives of others.
You don’t need to be an Athlete to be a great electrician. You must be in reasonable physical condition and not frightened of rigorous work. If you agree that accidents can always be avoided, and you make safety a top priority in all you do, then you should consider becoming an electrician. Electricians thrive in collaborative environments and like mental challenge, so research what it’s like to work as one.
Content Summary:
- Thousands of men and women have made excellent decisions by deciding to pursue careers as electricians, but it can be challenging to determine whether or not this is the appropriate career path for you.
- Choosing a profession is no small matter, so you’ll want to do your research and make an informed decision.
- If you’re considering a profession in electricity but aren’t sure if it’s right for you, consider the following traits.
- Our poll found that many of those who had chosen jobs in the field of electricity had been interested in it ever since they were young, and that few of them now regretted doing so.
- Only those who are detail-oriented, reliable, and have good judgment on the fly should think about a career as an electrician.
- Learning when it’s too risky to continue is crucial for any aspiring electrician.
- Being an electrician has several advantages.
- There are a few dangers you should be aware of before enrolling in an electrical technician training program, and we’ll talk about them in a moment.
- The following are some of the dangers you should think about seriously.
- Some individuals believe that enrolling in the electrical specialist training program is all that is required to enter the field of electrical wiring and repair.
- To become an electrician, you must attend a trade or vocational school.
- This electrician will serve as your mentor and teacher while you learn the trade and prepare for a career in the field.
- Not too many risky tasks will be assigned to you as an apprentice.
- To become a fully-fledged electrician, you will need to put in your time and effort.
- Being an electrician is not a typical 9-to-5 profession.
- And if you really want to prove that you can be relied upon, you will have to make some concessions to your work-life balance in order to do so.
- You’ll need to be able to keep your mind on the job even if you’re working late into the night.
- Making even a single mistake while working with electricity is dangerous.
- However, after you hit your forties, 45s, 50s, and beyond, your mobility will decline.
- Electrical work is hard on the body, especially the back, shoulders, knees, and feet.
- You should be aware of how strenuous it might be on your body.
- There is always a chance of injury while dealing with electricity, regardless of how thoroughly you are trained as an electrician or how long you have been in the field.
- Tragically, approximately 200 electricians lose their lives each year due to accidents on the job.
- However, this incident serves as a sobering reminder that becoming an electrician is not without its risks.
- The need for qualified electricians is at an all-time high today.
- Angie’s List reports that electricians are reporting a shortage of skilled laborers.
- The BLS predicts a steady increase in the number of jobs available to qualified electricians.
- By 2022, the BLS predicts, the need for electricians will have increased by 20%.
- The conventional route involves spending four or more years in higher education, which may or may not lead to a better employment.
- The cost of becoming an electrician is low enough that you won’t have to sell your car or give up your savings to cover it.
- As of May 2015, the average annual salary for an electrician was $55,590, with the highest-earning 10% making $88,130.
- Salaries tend to go up in tandem with levels of professional expertise.
- You can provide adequately for yourself and your family if you choose a career as an electrician.
- Troubleshooting electrical problems is a difficult and challenging profession that calls for a high level of experience and critical thinking.
- Every day brings perhaps new challenges for an electrician.
- One Can Advance Professionally Becoming a fully-fledged electrician takes training as an intern first.
- Installing wiring and fixing complex electrical problems are both within your skill set as a journeyman electrician.
- You can advance to the position of master electrician with time and education.
- After gaining experience as a master electrician, you’ll be qualified to oversee the work of less experienced electricians.
- It’s even possible to become your own boss.
- While many workers uproot to follow their jobs, electricians are always in demand.
- Because of this need, you won’t be limited to working in your home city if you decide to relocate.
- You are free to pick a career that allows you to set your own hours.
- There’s always the option of going into business for yourself.
- You’ll be one of the first workers there and the last one to go as an electrician.
- What’s more, you’ll have more experience and education than everyone else working on the project.
- Through your skill and insight, you will improve the lives of others and maybe even save some of them.
- Troubleshooting and answering complex queries are common in the electrician’s trade.
- If you’re good at fixing problems, you could become a good electrician.
- However, a demonstrated history of ability and patience while working with your hands is an excellent indicator of your future success.
- As an electrician, you’ll get your hands dirty and utilize a wide variety of equipment and supplies.
- If so, you might want to look into becoming an electrician.
- You might also think about being an electrician if you enjoy working with your hands in other ways, such as with model building, woodworking, ceramics, or other similar pursuits.
- Fortunately, you don’t need to be an Athlete to be a great electrician.
- If you wish to work as an electrician, you need also have strong color vision.
- Distinguishing between the many hues used in electrical wiring and components is a vitally important safety skill.
- If you have healthy color vision and value your body, you should not rule out a career as an electrician.
- Working safely is the electrician’s first priority, even above issue solving.
- You have the right frame of mind to be an electrician if you agree that accidents can always be avoided and you make safety a top priority in all you do.
- In most settings, electricians function as part of a larger team.
- This suggests that being an electrician might be a good fit for those who thrive in collaborative environments and like mental challenge.
- Skills in reading blueprints are maturing.
- Research what it’s like to work as an electrician if that’s a profession you’re considering.
- You may utilize the web to your advantage by reading blogs written by experienced electricians on how they got their careers started.
