The Electrical Trade…..

Hi all,
I am at the beginning stages of making a career change. I just recently completed the testing for an Low Voltage Electrical Apprenticeship. After doing much more research, though, I am finding that this field may have some issues specific to how soft the economy is.

Actually, I posted on another site, and haven’t received alot of feedback. Here is the link – http://69.90.136.11/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=3&topic_id=256059&mesg_id=256059&page=2

If you have any input that would help me out, I would GREATLY appreciate it.

Mike

I’m a low voltage guy that went into telecommunications/PBX equipment. I worked primarily with Cat3 and Cat5 cabling and terminating switchrooms and riser closets. The wiring still has it’s place but look more toward coaxial and fiber knowledge. That’s the bulk of your future. Linemen are subject to the advent of a slow copper disappearance and higher satellite usage. Pigeon holed? Yes, I’d agree with him.

Phone stuff has been quickly integrating with the pc world and in the last year I was forced to learn voice over IP technology. Being a specialist, I didn’t have to get into server applications but I need more accesses than what I’m getting here to really negotiate a higher position elsewhere. Big picture? While I’m still extremely valuable as a knowledgeable PBX administrator, I’m also becoming a dinosaur because all the computer geeks are beginning to get their phone training in school now too. More people in an already saturated field and the wage will likely go down and newer and younger ambitious people are willing to start for less wages. It’s not the profitable field it once was. To go technology, get all you can and go for the big stuff. That’s where the money is still good. Linemen….are going to be needed less and less. Technology is a constant evolution and challanging to stay on top of…….. but will out last the line guys for availability and job security, IMHO.

Security systems….. I don’t know anything about that field or it’s future but it’s always paid less than a phone or computer related field.

It’s all food for thought and I wish you well on your considerations.

Still a Kid,

Thanks for the info. Given what you said, what is the future of the electrical trade overall? It sounds like nobody has security down the road -maybe I am misinterpreting things. Kind of scary as I never imagined a trade becoming obsolete.

Maybe I need to look in other directions. If so, what do you suggest?

Consider HVAC. There always and will be jobs. Pay and bennies are great.

Sorry so late……. I didn’t see any responses marked.

In general, a “sparky” is always going to be needed but us low voltage guys don’t have much choice but to stay with current technology trends if we intend to stay in the field. Because you’ve already gained some knowledge and are ready for hands-on experience, I’d look for “somewhere” that shows a “growth potential”, both as a company and as a learning resource. Getting hands-on experience will blow away the book smarts on most day to day activities. If you want to be an engineer, well……. keep the nose buried in all the pages your eyes can handle!

I’ve often felt that there are really only 3 industries that I don’t see changing much, if they’ll ever change at all. Everyone gets sick or injured…Health. Everyone has an interest in reducing risk……. Insurance. Everyone needs to live somewhere……. Real Estate. Now, everyone has to eat and sleep too so there’s some security there too but high competition, high input, with the odds of GREAT success mirroring much like an ambitious entertainer’s odds of landing a big label recording contract. You can earn a living at it, but any true wealth will either drain you physically or the “big guys” will buy you out.

Sales……… take an interest in customer satisfaction and serve, serve, serve! That still works! Always has, always will, and can be learned and learned to be fun!

Oh yeah……. you could always become a preacher! But even that field seems to be going through a lot of changes.

Truth is, I can’t tell you what to do. I’d like to see you use the knowledge you possess, but if longterm financial security is being saught, it would be wise to consider these two factors. 1, Security NEVER stays with a J-O-B. Life is consistently unpredictable and economies and markets effect the employed and self-employed to drastically to truly feel “locked in” to a permanent, good income. 2, You’re going to have to change the way you think. 95% of all Americans are employed or self-employed, yet they’re only involved with 5% of the nation’s total wealth. So, when you hear “work harder”, the common suggestion, or even “work smarter”, you’re really only tweaking your fight game. A “hamster wheel” effect still exists and your affordabilities only seem to stay the same, in spite of earning a higher wage. I’m still on this learning curve but have come to realize this one thing…. Do what everyone else does and I’ll have what everyone else has. Do what the uncommon does, and have what the uncommon has.

I still have some things to settle up but I’m very close to living debt free because of this change in thinking. How uncommon is that? I’m using my employed dollar in combination with sound financial advice, new knowledge, and delayed gratification, inside of a long term plan. Don’t think “microwave”……… think “crock pot”. We all know what tastes better…… don’t we!

5% is controlling 95% of the nation’s wealth and the ONLY difference between “us” and “them” is what they know.

Think about this good and hard nubbinbuck……. What is it you’re really after? Something you’re “okay” doing or something that yields the results you want out of life? Ponder this……… if you’re not pursuing the results you want out of life, it won’t matter what you do. It will all become distastefully, unsatisfying. But if you are chasing the results, it won’t matter what you do. You’re contentment in achievement will override any discontent with the source of provision.

I could go on all day with this stuff because I love to help people. Nothing on this planet gives me more satisfaction than being able to help someone. I have the examples to show the results and no matter what any of what “they” say or think, these principles WORK! They’re timeless. So while a low voltage techy guy, I’m building something else……….. and it REALLY cuts into my fishing time, but only temporarily! When I get to “debt free” and “living in choice”, I’ll be able to continue helping people do the same for themselves all day long AND fish way more than I get to now.

If any of this is making any sense, just give me a shout and I’ll let you know the authors list and the books they’ve written, that when applied, can put you on the same road. Think about these things and as always, I wish you well on your journey!

Some good advise for everyone, Kid.

The first part of your post, stating the need to stay current is the key. I had a heart to heart conversation with the Low Voltage State Trainer yesterday. Keeping up (or ahead) of technology is the absolute key in the field, and a reason some Low Voltage guys are feeling the pinch. The other key is to get into a shop that is diversified, so that you get hands-on training in a variety of areas.

The good thing is I obtained the top score possible on the test, thus I should be able to also field an interview for the Wireman program. It was kind of funny. I had to pick up a book on Algebra at Barnes and Nobles and finish it (300 pages) in 2 weeks to prepare for the test! Nothing like studying for something I haven’t touched in 20 years.

Your take on the health care field is keen, too. I am actually keeping that in mind as well. As the ‘boomers get older, this field is going to go through the roof. If you saw the Mpls fish wrap today, the nurses got a 13% raise over the next 3 years. Not too shabby in light of the economy.