So as I’m wrapping up my third consecutive month of 60 hour weeks yelling at guys to move faster and stressing about how I’m going to replace this asshole who is just begging to be fired, I’m coming to the conclusion that work as a chef isn’t quite what I imagined it.
I’d like to find a new career that allows me free time to pursue my other interests, and to (somewhat) easily make money as an independent contractor. I know from working in a kitchen that I enjoy doing skilled work, being on my feet, and working with my hands. I like to see the results of my own work in front of me. Outside is nice, but not a dealbreaker. I also have a general respect for learning skills that help in the inevitable Zombie Apocalypse–wilderness medicine, knot tying, etc.
The wide world of electricity beckons. I once took a class at the local technical college in high school on basic electricity, and enjoyed it quite a bit, but that is the extent of my experience.
Please, share your experiences. Is it a mostly dull job? After attaining the basic skills, does it cease to be rewarding and just become a mindless activity? Does it pay well? Can you work easily independently and make decent money? Since trade schools tend to skew towards lower social classes, it’s often hard to differentiate the good ones from those that simply prey on the poorly educated.
Is there some way to sort of dip my toes in, without quitting my current job? For what it’s worth, I’m 25 and already have a bachelor’s degree from a Good School.
A friend of mine was an electrician back in the nineties. He wired up houses in new developments. The mantra was “three a day or on your way”, meaning three whole houses per day. Didn’t sound like a lot of fun to me. Now he is a plant electrician but it sounds like he still has to bust ass.
My favorite part about being an electrician was analyzing, troubleshooting, and fixing problems. I was good at it, so that helped. Installation is usually pretty routine and repetitive, but you develop your own way of doing things and take pride in your workmanship. I could wire a panel that was nearly a work of art when completed, and do it nearly as quickly as someone who just cut and stuffed.
A field electrician has to know the theory, but you don’t necessarily use it much, since you’re usually working off of someone else’s design (an electrical engineer, most likely). It helps to have basic algebra skills. The algebra is used for electrical formulas, obviously, but can also help with doing conduit runs (all those angles to bend, don’t you know). You absolutely have to learn how to read a set of blueprints, particularly if you’re involved in building houses or commercial facilities, or in troubleshooting existing structures. You also need a good foundation in the NEC and should have your own copy (that has been adopted by your city/county) for reference.
It’s a skill that keeps on giving, even after you stop working in it. I can’t recall ever having to call an electrician to the house, and still do my own repairs and installations at home. Most electricians would agree that there’s a certain smugness to be had, since almost everybody will say “I can do most things, but I’m afraid of electricity.”
One word of advice: do NOT skimp on the quality of your tools, whichever trade you enter. I refuse to buy anything other than Klein for sidecutters, diagonal cutters, needle nose pliers, and the like. They’re high-leverage, well-insulated and durable.