I gotta ask what are some of the responsibility's and what kind of work they handle on a daily bases. Hopefully some members here are in that line of work. I ask because I have a job lined up where this guy my dad works with says its mine if I want he will train me. $12 an hour aint bad for someone who isn't making anything. I'm strongly considering this opportunity. For 1 thing I have no cash I'm broke and it sucks hard. My dad has been working out of state away from his family and I want to take the job and help him out until we move out to California. I'm going to be discussing this with him this coming Wednesday. Any advice is welcomed.
my dad is licensed....alot of piping wires through cielings and walls....wiring lights....big difference between commercial or residential....commercial is harder my dad says....any thing else you want me to ask him i will gladly...
my stepdad has been an electrician all his life but he's not up right now just don't electrocute yourself and you'll do fine
It was more of a reply to Sickfan cause he was talking about residential work. Actually there is a abundant of sea life around the platform.
Brother take the job, ask questions and learn as much as you can. Perhaps get a few books to help you learn. This will come in handy when you come out here and enter a very, very tough job market. I wish you the very best of luck. Depending on how long you work with him, get a recommendation if you can to help you with employers out here.
Highly considering it as its a huge opportunity for me, it could also lead into a career choice for me if I like it.
I believe a lot of electricians out here belong to the union, and make good money. If you like it, put your head into, and better yourself for it.
Put every bloody damn thing you can in your pocket mate. Free training is good for you. Learn all you can......... Someday you will need it......
Its that bad out there? That sucks bro. My dad has been moving from 1 contract job to the next. Better than Bama. Its not 100% I'm moving out there I would like to but we'll see how things play out.
One word of advice brother. I have been in charge of a lot of warehouses and there maintenance. Not to scare you but for your own safety, when they say the power is off, please make sure you check first with your tester. This way you don't get a surprise zap from someones cross wiring. Best of luck.
Bro I am not a big union person, but the company that I had doing all our repairs was union at my last job.
Thanks for the advice Ive never been electrocuted and I want it to remain that way Thats sucks I hope the unemployment does not last much longer for you. I don't plan on it after hearing how they treat my dad from job to job. Texas was the worst.
Bro if I can help you and your family making the trek out here with any info before you come out, please let me know. The housing here is dropped by more then half from when we bought our house in 2005. An example is, we bought ours for 505,000 for a 1378 sqft house and big back yard. It is worth maybe 225,000 right now.
There's a lot of good things about being an electrician...there's also a lot of bad things that they're dealing with too. I have a few buddies that do it and here's what I get from their situation.... 1. They're losing A LOT of work to illegals. This seems to be one of the main issues right now as Illegals will do it for much less and without being covered if they get hurt. 2. They're feeling the pinch right now just like everyone else. Not a whole lot of houses are going up and many major events and trade shows have been canceled (some of my buddies used to make their living in Vegas doing that stuff) 3. The work can be repetive especially in the housing market. A buddy of mine is trying to get out of the residential market because he ends up doing the same house 200 times (Mc-Subdivisions anyone?). Same can go for commercial when you do large buildings with multiple bays and such. But it's not a bad profession. It's skilled labor and will always hopefully be in need. Just go in with your eyes open to that fact that it can be a dangerous job and it may be more limiting in career opportunities compared to other options that you might consider at this point in your life. Good Luck!
If you come here to North San Diego County, the company that I used was Baker Electric out of Escondido.
Thanks FFIC I think the plan is to rent because down in Florida our house could not sell so my parents had to foreclose on it and my Dad's credit took a hit. Now the house in Bama isn't selling and they do not want to foreclose again. Basically my parents do not want the same problem. Its rough everywhere the housing market is in bad shape. Thats rough seems like everyone is feeling it. Believe me its not what I was planning on doing but if I can get work gets some cash and help out my family I believe its worth it. Why is repetition bad? I would think it would be easy knowing the layout of the house is virtually the same.
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Anytime brother. And you can call me John. If you need more info, please pm me, and I will give you my phone numbers.
Oh I totally understand what you're saying. I took a job that I'm overlyqualified for and less than enthusiastic about being in (graphic designer instead of architect) out of school because there's just nothing else going on. It's frustrating as hell, but I'll get there. You will too, and as someone mentioned before if you can get trained for free then go for it. It's always good to learn new things..infact I make a habit of it. While I was in school I'd purposely work in programs that I didn't know because it made me more versatile...and it's paying off now. Repetition is a good or bad thing depending on the kind of person you are. I personally can't stand repetitive work and get bored REALLY quickly. I like problem solving and going to work everyday not knowing exactly what I'll be doing (thus why I picked architecture). Other people (maybe this is you) like repetition and knowing what to expect day in and day out. There's no right or wrong about it, it just has to fit the person. My mom on the other hand has worked at banks and currently works for a real estate company and pushes the same paperwork through for house after house. I'd think that's repetitive too but she seems to enjoy it.
Its really bad out there as far as trying to sell your house... and it only looks like it is going to get worse. Honestly, a repetative job could be good but it does get old after a while. I have worked at Publix for about 6 years now and I could probably do my job without much thought. Its kind of cool because I can contempate what kind of trades I can do in the GM league, but when you got nothing on your mind it makes you feel hollow. You feel as if you aren't in your body and that it is just doing the motions as you sort of watch... There are ways to entertain yourself of course though like talk to girls, make Dry Ice bombs, play pranks on people, so on and so forth... its up to you. Oh and i forgot to mention it gets so routine that you dont have to concentrate on what your doing so you get tired... its horrible. I know people are afraid of losing their jobs and all that, but I believe Publix has never fired someone because of a recession or losing business. So if you can get a job there now (which could be pretty hard) you can feel pretty confident you will keep your job.
Sadly my Highschool did not have such classes and it didn't matter because since my last name begins with W I never really got the classes I wanted because by the time they got to me it would be filled. Hmm I guess I like a bit of repetition only because it would make the job easier or I would think it does. But I can see where your coming from. I can't really sa yI would enjoy it because I don't have alot of experience. Seems like it. The drawback to the house I'm living in is everything is pretty far out other than that its peaceful nice little housing development close to the schools, ect. yeah my mind would probably drift if everything because very routine. Which I guess could make you careless. Though if there are no problems it makes the job easier does it not? Good for Publix there are no Publix in Bama we have Winn Dixie.
Brother housing in Cali has slowed down big time, but if you get with the right company, homeowners are doing expansions, and need repairs as well.
I was an electrician for 20+ years doing residential as well as commercial. A few years back I was offered a job as a traffic signal electrician in the city where I live and I jumped all over it. Its great work and steady work also. As long as theres traffic lights I`ll be busy. As far as your situation,my advice is TAKE IT. Start out asking a lot of questions and stay focused on what you`re doing. I dont mean to scare you but electricity is very unforgiving. And remember,the other workers that are with you will NEVER ask you to do something with electricity that you`re not familiar with yet. I`m sure they`ll take it slow with you until you learn. The work you mentioned in another post sounds like a lot of pipe threading and wire pulling. Its tricky at first and very challenging but you`ll get the hang of it. Being an electrician is a great job but remember rule #1 " NEVER TAKE FOR GRANTED THE WIRES ARE NOT LIVE UNTIL YOU CHECK THEM "! I`ve seen many careless accidents that could have been avoided. Again,I`m not trying to scare you but electricity must be respected at all times. Take the job,and GOOD LUCK! If I can be of any help at all,PM me any time.
Take the job.. you will be working in learning rich environment that will train you in a manner that will allow you to take your skills and crafts anywhere you go. The cross training and hands on experiance you will get on an offshore rig cannot be had anywhere else, but the skills go with YOU. I am a registered rotary driller and the only place I learned more was aboard a submarine. A young man with fiscal responsibility can REALLY sock away some dough living the roughneck life for ten years or so before settling down with family.
Just to reiterate, always check the wires etc yourself for activity, NEVER assume or take anyones word they are dead or shut off. The wife learned that the hard way in high school when she did wiring for theater stuff. Not dangerous there, but a nice zap. Working on an industrial oil platform I assume there might be some high voltage stuff. Always remember, your safety is YOUR responsibility first and foremost. Aside from that, take a chance! If it isnt your thing, serve out your time and pack it back home. I got a job over college summer break building concrete foundations and basements for a guy that my dad and brother knew from school. I ended up working 2 summers, and really decided that I didnt want to do that for the rest of my life. But for those 2 summers, it was good work, got me in great shape, got to work outdoors, met some interesting people etc etc. Was an experience that I think served me well.
I deal with a lot of electricians in my line of work. Good money, especially once you get comfortable with what you're doing and go out on your own as an independent contractor. Good luck bro!
Thank you so much for posting. Seems Safety is top priority. I hope I have the patience for this pipe threading Seems like a very rare opportunity for me. I hope the first thing I pick up is safety. The high voltage stuff my scare me hopefully I'm careful not to get zapped. Could be a career choice if I enjoy it. Thank you everyone who has responded. I take what you guys very seriously and it will aid in my decision.
