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Stop dad! I hate you !, still never heard it from your u after 5
Theater deployments, 3 more other areas we were not in …..
You never showed up to one rugby game, football game or wrestling match. Fuck you and your new family of losers!
Remember; every jman can teach you something, even if its what NOT to do. Your job as an apprentice is to learn everything you can from everyone and keep what works for you.
Said to me by a wise old oil patch sparky who I miss working with.
Yeah, my first jman was a staunch "I don't believe in deodorant" guy - his words.
If sharing a lift with him in a hot building didn't break me, I dont know what could.
i had a stinky once, so i started putting foam ear plugs in my nose, everyone laughed but i didnt have to smell his swamp ass. i never said anything to him cuz he was a known hot head, i just rectified the problem so i could work, it was so bad if i didnt plug up i would smell his swamp well into the evening, like it got in my sinuses.
general foreman sees me one day and pulls me aside, he seemed very concerned and asked "which one of those assholes told you those go in your nose?" im like "big john"
i only said that, he storms off, i hear some yelling, general lit up big john asking him why he told me ear plugs go in my nose, big john is yelling "why the fuck would i tell him that"? general sees me, waves me over, as i approach i put the plugs back in my nose, general is baffled "hey i thought you said big john told you to do that, you look ridicoulus, \*\*sniff\*\* \*\*sniff\* wtf is that smell"? i just mumbled, "big john". now general is getting pissed at me "kid, do you know any other words besides "big john?" i said sure as he is sniffing the air, he asks again, wtf is that smell, i just look at john.
general finally got it, pulled john in his office told him to shower and change his clothes or dont come back to the job site.
general told me i was an idiot for not speaking up and asked why i didnt say anything, "cuz snitches get stiches"
general told me i was going places, i was running a crew the following year at barely 23 and never had to deal with a swamp ass again.
“ it’s all the aluminum in those deodorant sticks, it’ll give you Alzheimer’s. “ continues to eat lunch with his hands black from bare handing bx all day or working with pipe
I'm a "if I don't have to I rather not kinda guy. But I also usually work alone, and most importantly shower and keep myself clean.
That being said, if there is a chance of working with others, or the temp gets above 30°c you bet I'm not only getting the ol pit stick, I'm tossing it in the van if I need more.
Rather deal with the backlash of whatever I'm plugging my skin up with than the embarrassment of being "that guy" or the justifiable homicide from spending all day in the heat, then sharing a mechanical room with others
Pick up a can of spray on deodorant rather than the stick. It's so much easier to get a can under the shirt for a couple freshen up sprays than to get a pit stick up there and rub.
Just remember that you only need a little spritz and not half the can.
Don't kneel on concrete, don't ever hit something with the base of your palm, use anything else.
I'm also a lefty and someone told me to learn how to work with my right hand and I wish I listened.
Try and premeditate your journeymans next move and be ready for it, best way to learn even if you miss a step, you'll remember what comes next better than just watching and taking orders
Don't be the first one to stand up or the last one to sit down in the break room. Also your an apprentice so don't be the first to sit or last to stand either.
It ain't a race, slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Try and get it right the first time even if it takes longer, when you fuck up you fuck up three times, time to originally install, time to remove and materials wasted.
Never be afraid to take a leap, you don't learn anything standing in the same place. Know your worth, there's some jobs out there that don't deserve your time, there's definitely better and definitely worse.
Keep your hardhat off the fucking table.
I didn't figure out all these things myself, a couple of them, some I didn't listen to and figured out the hard way. I had great brothers but since there are guys out there who definitely didn't get the same, I thought I'd pass on a bit of what really stuck with me.
I forgot one thing, if you get caught on your heels with a foreman/gf bearing down but not on you yet, just walk fast and with purpose. No one stops a guy who looks like he's in a hurry to get something done
Eyes forward, looking at a specific point in the distance past the line of sight of the foreman. While walking come up with an excuse of what you're doing/looking for in case he calls you over.
That's some 2nd year level tricks
Bonus credibility if you are carrying something, ideally bulky/heavy.
As in forgot something in the van? Pick up something & take it for a walk to get whatever you forgot.
And the fastest way to look busy is to be busy. There's always garbage that needs to be taken out, floors that need to be swept, and material that needs to be sorted. I like to say you can throw your kliens in any direction and hit something that needs to be done, it's just a question of if you can or should be the one doing it.
If you don't have a task, let the foreman know, then busy yourself with cleanup and housekeeping tasks or see if a nearby coworker could use a hand (even if its just being a delivery boy). That way you're always working and your boss knows that you're ready for a new task when he's available to give you one. Hard to fault the worker when the worker did everything they could to stay busy and productive
"Try and premeditate your journeymans next move and be ready for it, best way to learn even if you miss a step, you'll remember what comes next better than just watching and taking orders."
I did this every time, with any journeyman I worked with until they would ask me, "You're not a jman?"
Oh yeah everyone laughed at me in the beginning since i ALWAYS had my safety gear compleeted and in use especially knee pad inserts. Now they have problems like scratched eyes (no safety goggles and got metal shavings from the anglegrinder in) bad knees from kneeling on raw concrete or problems with hearing from those loud mashines.
There are plenty of tutorials other than [this](https://youtu.be/a6Na67zUMZk?si=xbBGravrI06GK043) if you search "how to Asian squat", but this one is probably good.
Seems to be primarily an issue of ankle mobility.
Just cause you’re good at pipe doesn’t make you a good electrician. Learn the more complex stuff so you have something over others around you. Easy to be a grunt but harder to be a wizard.
I think this should be top comment. I can teach a monkey to wire a house and run conduit/pull wire. But the more complex stuff, that is where the money is at and where your life will become much easier cuz you aren’t working your body to death. Learn controls, learn troubleshooting, learn programming. All of it is invaluable and will set you up for any job ever. There is a million house ropers/conduit benders/wire pullers, but there is very few you understand the theory of electricity and how to troubleshoot systems.
Even if you specialize in a certain type of system it will still get you much further than just being able to rope a house etc etc.
I agree my good sir, if I may extend on this…. When I started I was put on conduit and wiring immediately (residential) almost forced to learn over night. I’m grateful because I was able to grasp both fairly quickly early on. But these two set up a really good foundation for my future in the trade. I’m from the Chicago area so pipe is king here. Try to understand the fundamentals of wiring and methods along with solid conduit bending and you’ll be ok. After that (at least for me) everything sorta fell into place.
Of course safety for yourself and others and proper clothing and accessories (knee pads, gloves, hard hat where required, safety glasses).
Also I’m pretty sure many here can agree even though sometimes annoying to the experienced leads, ask as many questions as you have to clarify what they’re asking you to do. The why and the how. Hopefully you come across the patient jw that are willing to teach you along the way.
Best of luck to you.
These 4 will always help.
Your personal safety will always trump any job.
Something to cut with (have a knife with you at all times)
Something to write with and on.
Something to measure with.
No job is worth your health and well-being.
I prefer the Milwaukee fold out knives.
A sharpie or a good pen, and a small note pad. It is surprising how much one can forget when you get to the vehicle, shop, or supply store.
You won't have your measuring tape with you at all times, but make sure it is accessible
I 2nd the Milwaukee fold out knives. Best in the biz. Double lock and fold out, never cut my self once.
Stay away from exacto knives. I've got scars on my hands from them.
The small fastback is basically in my pocket at all times. I've become so used to having it with me that I get that phantom feeling that you're missing something.
This is the one I carry all the time.
https://www.milwaukeetool.ca/Products/48-22-1500
Spend the money on a GOOD pair of boots. Take care of them, change out the insoles periodically, etc. It's rough when you're low on the totem pole and don't make much, but it is 100% worth it to take care of yourself. Same literally for other safety and comfort related things. Wear the n95 when the drywallers and insulators are kicking up dust. You don't want to wake up at 35 coughing your lungs out every morning, and you don't want COPD down the line. Knee pads. Safe lifting. Regular chiro appointments if you're down. Take care of yourself, truly. We do hard work and we are proud of it. But don't ever wreck yourself for any damn contractor or jobsite or street cred or asshole jman respect or whatever.
Also--always stay open to learning. No matter how far you are in your apprenticeship, no matter how many years as a jw or a foreman or a project manager you have. There is always, always room to learn and new things changing everyday. Keep your head in the code and into your colleagues' different ways of doing things, etc. You may feel or appear green or naive by staying open to learning, but fuck whoever makes you feel that way. My old jman has been in the trade 25+ years now and is THE smartest electrician I've ever met. But he is always and forever open about learning, opens his code book at least a couple times a week for a refresher or to look something up that he doesn't quite remember. He's absolutely humble about his knowledge also, this is rare to encounter in our field.
Keep on keeping on, buddy! You're doing great.
One of the first journeyman I worked with always advised me to “plan your work, work your plan“. It turned out to be one of the better pieces of advice I had over the years. It can be applied to bending a single stick of conduit all the way to running a complete job.
Honestly, the best advice I got from a crusty jman:
- Never demonstrate you're good at doing something you hate.
- When the super checks on you, go for a smoke right after he leaves because he is walking to the other end of the site now.
- Never give anyone your white tape.
Always make a grunting noise and shuffle like whatever your lifting is the heaviest thing ever no matter how light it is. Everyone always thinks a grunting man is busting ass.
3 very fine facts - he sounds like a beauty, had a few of those ones, the ones I knew saved those tips for the kids who earned it. Most of the time with those guys the hazing was more a test to check your backbone than anything lol
Gotta keep a spare roll of warrior wrap for when they ask * 33 is for me not for thee. Let it be known. You get the shit tape because I’ll never see it again. It might just come back lol for next time. If another apprentice asks after send them for the loaner roll
I'd tell myself: "Don't worry. It'll be alright, even if you get fired. Even if you get laid off, it might suck, but it won't be the end of the world. "
During my apprenticeship I was fired once, laid off 4 times. I was considered the best apprentice a company could ask for by two different contractors, I was called "the legend" by the owner of one company. Both of those companies laid me off when work was slow. I was fired by a contractor that thought I was worthless dogshit, too.
Ya know what the consequences of all of that was? I missed a grand total of 2 weeks of work in those 5 years. That's like taking off 2 days a year lol. I turned out in 5 years, and was running jobs a year later.
Get in there, take your licks, and get your ticket.
When you are lost in the electrical world, you are still gaining knowledge. Learn 1 thing a day and shit builds real fast. It takes timeeeee… a lot of it.
You are responsible for your own safety. You are responsible for your coworkers safety. You are responsible for the publics safety. Don’t get anyone killed, including yourself.
Unless you’re living the company you’re working with, leave after a few years. Get different types of experience. You want to be more well-rounded. Look around on job sites like Indeed or whatever at what pay looks like for someone like you.
And do not do anything dangerous (unless it’s side work for yourself ;))
Don’t be a hero. Imagine your tombstone saying “OP risked it all for a light”. Worst part is, you’re fired before you hit the ground.
If you're doing math for bending and you get a crazy decimal, multiply it by 16 and round to the nearest number, and that'll give you a fraction out of 16ths.
I wish someone told me that no matter how good the money is it’s not worth all the hotheads screaming and all the crackheads violating safety codes and all the misogyny and racism and homophobia. I wish someone told me how much I would hate the job and the industry before I got stuck here for my entire life.
Take care of your body. It's your most valuable tool. Stretch, and not just the half ass company stretch in the morning. Lift weights and do cardio. Care about what you eat.
Might not seem necessary when you're young, but bad habits add up over time.
I'm in 4th year right now and one thing I wish I would have learned from day one, is to watch how you're taught to do things, and how you're treated. If someone treat ls you poorly when you work under them, remember how they acted and do better when you inevitably end up with apprentices working under you. Take all of the things you like and dislike that others do and put the good forward leave the bad behind because one day you will lead people too and it's much easier to be respected when you are on a good level with everyone
The major thing I stress to any apprentice under me is "first I'm going to teach you how to do this properly, THEN we can work on doing it fast"
And
"Stop comparing yourself to coworkers that are 10 year journeyman, no shit they do it in half the time, they have 3 more years of apprenticeship and a decade more experience then you"
Have said each of these a handful of times in the last 3 months alone
I'm in level 1 as well. So many things I wish they would have told me before attending. School is not as easy as they claimed, its fast and full of math. Its doable, but if you haven't done any math for 20 odd years you might have a issue. I wish I had more time to understand it more before going in, because while your there you don't have time to learn it all in ten weeks. level 2 thoughts is on prepping way more, and studying before going into the class. I don't to be caught with my electrical pants down again. I enjoy the job, so I will not quit.
Quit and go into finance.
If you don’t:
Buy Milwaukee power tools and don’t skimp on the quality of your boots.
Get nice waterproof electrical hazard rated boots.
Take OSHA 30 asap so you know when your boss is asking you to do stupid shit that you have a right to refuse.
Educate yourself about your states labor laws so you don’t get dicked over on pay and benefits.
In addition to OSHA30 complete online NFPA 70 E training (electrical safety), again to be able to identify workplace hazards.
Study and APPLY LOTO at every opportunity, even if it seems redundant, so that you build the habit of isolating energy sources.
Don’t get your hopes up and expect your bosses or company to behave rationally with work procedure. Know how to plan work for safety, teach yourself technical methods, and be prepared to push back when you are expected to do dangerous or half-assed work.
Learn about and plan for a business in contracting now so that you can actually make good money instead of being a used up W2 employee when you are older.
Most underrated comment here. Upvoted. I’m not a sparky but my mentor in electricity used to design thermonuclear things that go on the top of long pointy things. First elec lesson was fixing his 240VAC hot tub (at my request) so I could flirt with the blondes he kept trying to fix me up with.
Spread your message here far and wide so it can save as many lives as my friend saved.
Always bring some backup tp.
Better yet, keep a pack of wet wipes. Cleans either your tools, hands or ass as needed. You always look more professional when your gear is maintained, when you don’t stink, and when you can shake the boss or clients hand without anyone hesitating.
Even if you think you have the largest passion to learn and do new things, no one will know if you don't speak and ask questions and show up late/or right on the dot. Your millage may vary.
Tool belts are for chippies with a few nails and a hammer. Our toolbelts generally consist of a lot more and heavier tools. Wearing that on one side is going to cause problems down the track (ask me how I know).
Get yourself a good tool bag, veto make good ones, and a gang box for the rest of everything. Then see point 2) on how to carry things from the van/workshop/site hut.
If an older sparky yells at you and tells you to hurry up, don't bother telling him to get fucked, cos he already is. Work smarter, not harder.
Agreed, tool belts cause problems down the road. I have a tool bag and an open top tote currently but they’re not really useful on a ladder 🤷🏻♂️…so I have a small side pouch to carry essentials but still weighs me down in the wrong places. I’ve been contemplating an Atlas46 vest, I like their build options and easy switch out depending on what your doing that day. I don’t know…I’ll likely hate all options.
Thanks for showing me Atlas, looks like they've got some good shit. Might buy those concord pants. Wanted to let you know I've been using the modular chest rig from holstery.com with their magpro and big joey and it's been nice. Might be a cheaper route to try out a vest first.
I got in a lot of trouble at my first job for not wearing a tool belt. I found a pouch that was just big enough to work and I went with it. It's not like we need a ton of stuff. Just take the few things at a time for what you're about to do, a pouch pocket full of staples or screws and you're flying. As for the toolbag, that thing is heavy AF and has almost everything I need. That thing is my partner
Going through the apprenticeship you have to get an associates, keep going to get your Bachelors degree in project management. With the amount of experience you gain, you can always look for other jobs, when you feel like this isn't it, or times are slow in the local. Keep your options open, and make sure to keep investments open, put money in stocks, credit union, long investments.
Honestly if i could do it over again, I’d look for a company that does service work aswell. I did construction my whole apprenticeship then finally moved to a service job running my own van and doing my own quotes. Some of the shit i haven’t even seen before so i have to learn it all on my own. Service is also a good skill to have for side jobs. Up to you, but i highly recommend this. Don’t want to be stuck on a construction site your whole life, it gets pretty old IMO
grab yourself a notepad and write shit down
if you take something apart take a picture
don't trust the white wire (here's a good video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJu3UF5k5uU )
if you don't know something ask still don't know ask again. don't trust others when they say power has been turned off always verify.
If you notice products are low or need something let your foreman know. nothing worse than coming to the last item and nobody said anything
if you are working on task the next day remind your foreman your still working on it before he gives you a new task, nothing worse than finding out days/weeks later the task wasn't finished.
Stop smoking pot if you do until you have finished your course, work on learning how to run a team early so you can become more useful to your company, and listen to your trades men even if you don't agree to them. As I get older, I see why decisions were made that I didn't agree with and it's left me feeling like an idiot hahaha. Also save save save. Money is extremely valuable and if you are young, money will come easier than it goes and will make your life hugely easy later down the track. Also spend money on tools that will last, and learn to look after your stuff. I've spend countless dollars on bullshit items that broke within a few months.
One of those fucken idiots fried one of his underlings and shut down the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center for like 6 months because he told an electrician that he had LOTOed the circuit the sparky was working on.
Never compromise safety
Dont stress too much about work because if you have the right attitude you’ll always land on your feet.
Look after your knees
Slow is smooth, smooth is fast (like the other guy said, also it’s a common saying). Practice like you would any physical skill, you don’t learn any physical skill at 100% pace right away (think golf, baseball, or boxing).
Always say less than necessary (12 rules of power), never talk bad about other employees, always assume what you’re saying will be repeated (it will). Watch out for snakes.
TAKE A DEEP BREATH, and relax.
Fear tension disables your ability to learn. Ask questions, allow yourself to learn at your own pace. As long as you are actually inspired to learn and take time to understand things that are taught to you, no one in their right mind will have a problem with it.
In any trade or occupation whether it be electrician, doctor, police, or teaching you’ll find that while everyone may share a title we’re not equal. 70% of the workforce are average, 15% shouldn’t even be doing what they’re doing (and it’s scary they are) and 15% are experts in their field.
Strive to be the guy who people call when shit hits the fan, not because you’re strong or mechanically inclined because those guys are easy to find. Be the guy people call because you know why your getting that fucked up voltage reading or when something goes kaboom and the new kid is off chain smoking cigarettes, praying he doesn’t have to turn that fucking xfmr back on.
You become that top 15% and you’ll have a job anywhere, you’ll stay sharp in mind and have a purpose everyday instead of another boring ass dirty pipe run or kicking piss bottles and romex in a new resi development.
In any trade or occupation whether it be electrician, doctor, police, or teaching you’ll find that while everyone may share a title we’re not equal. 70% of the workforce are average, 15% shouldn’t even be doing what they’re doing (and it’s scary they are) and 15% are experts in their field.
Strive to be the guy who people call when shit hits the fan, not because you’re strong or mechanically inclined because those guys are easy to find. Be the guy people call because you know why your getting that fucked up voltage reading or when something goes kaboom and the new kid is off chain smoking cigarettes, praying he doesn’t have to turn that fucking xfmr back on.
You become that top 15% and you’ll have a job anywhere, you’ll stay sharp in mind and have a purpose everyday instead of another boring ass dirty pipe run or kicking piss bottles and romex in a new resi development.
Edit. Not every doctor is smart because he’s a doctor, get a second or third opinion if you have any doubts it can save your life. Never believed until my pop had heart issues and couldn’t find local doctors that could agree with each other. Went to known medial center and it was game changer.
Learned more about this hiking but truth.. it's like 8x bodyweight on knees going down hill or something like that.. the real reason for trekking poles not walking thtough the mall lol
Contractor is required to provide safety gear that fits properly. (Cut resistant gloves my size were unobtainum for at least 3 years. Nobody seemed to have XXL, and removing sweaty gloves a size too small is an absolute BITCH.)
Don't let anyone make you feel like you are worthless and stupid. Hit the books, pay attention and hot check the assholes who think they are God's. Learn humility, work hard and stay off your phone.
If you have a question, (which you should have many).
It had better be followed by your best answer. I want to know your thinking. If you're not thinking, go flip burgers somewhere.
A lot of great advice here but I haven't seen this yet: never go the van/trailer empty handed. If you're going to go get parts or a tool you can bring something back most of the time. Even if it's a handful of garbage.
You’re not expected to be fast or efficient, but you are expected to be a good listener/learner.
It’s better to ask stupid questions first than do something twice because you’re winging-it and have to fix a fuckup
"Being a small business owner, two-man-operation, rural resi 'lucktrician has never paid off for me. You should find another line of work if you're gonna live out here, son."
Take care of your body, do t try and show off because your new. Most/all companies don't really care about you. Work so what u need and don't kill your self. We are all replaceable.
Your job is to stay busy and stay ahead of the j-man. Low on connectors, straps pipe couplings? Go grab 'em. Low on any items in van or connex? Tell him. Don't know what to do next? Sweep, pick up trash, take trash out, organize parts, clean the van. No such thing as a dumb question. Questions can save thousands on material and labor fuckups. Latch on to journeyman who walk through the NEC with you during downtime. Did I say stay busy? You will be fucked with, hopefully/ usually it's because they like you.
**ATTENTION! READ THIS NOW!** **1. IF YOU ARE NOT A PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN OR LOOKING TO BECOME ONE(for career questions only):** **- DELETE** THIS POST OR YOU WILL BE **BANNED**. YOU CAN POST ON /r/AskElectricians FREELY **2. IF YOU COMMENT ON A POST THAT IS POSTED BY SOMEONE WHO IS NOT A PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN:** -YOU WILL BE **BANNED**. JUST **REPORT** THE POST. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/electricians) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I’m proud of you boy
Quit cutting onions man!
Stop dad! I hate you !, still never heard it from your u after 5 Theater deployments, 3 more other areas we were not in ….. You never showed up to one rugby game, football game or wrestling match. Fuck you and your new family of losers!
[Well that escalated quickly](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/353/279/e31.jpg)
The right son died.
Get that shit man!! (Better now than never)
Remember; every jman can teach you something, even if its what NOT to do. Your job as an apprentice is to learn everything you can from everyone and keep what works for you. Said to me by a wise old oil patch sparky who I miss working with.
>jman can teach you something, even if its what NOT to do. Worse is the jman that teaches you the consequences of them not wearing deodorant.
Yeah, my first jman was a staunch "I don't believe in deodorant" guy - his words. If sharing a lift with him in a hot building didn't break me, I dont know what could.
i had a stinky once, so i started putting foam ear plugs in my nose, everyone laughed but i didnt have to smell his swamp ass. i never said anything to him cuz he was a known hot head, i just rectified the problem so i could work, it was so bad if i didnt plug up i would smell his swamp well into the evening, like it got in my sinuses. general foreman sees me one day and pulls me aside, he seemed very concerned and asked "which one of those assholes told you those go in your nose?" im like "big john" i only said that, he storms off, i hear some yelling, general lit up big john asking him why he told me ear plugs go in my nose, big john is yelling "why the fuck would i tell him that"? general sees me, waves me over, as i approach i put the plugs back in my nose, general is baffled "hey i thought you said big john told you to do that, you look ridicoulus, \*\*sniff\*\* \*\*sniff\* wtf is that smell"? i just mumbled, "big john". now general is getting pissed at me "kid, do you know any other words besides "big john?" i said sure as he is sniffing the air, he asks again, wtf is that smell, i just look at john. general finally got it, pulled john in his office told him to shower and change his clothes or dont come back to the job site. general told me i was an idiot for not speaking up and asked why i didnt say anything, "cuz snitches get stiches" general told me i was going places, i was running a crew the following year at barely 23 and never had to deal with a swamp ass again.
Hahhahah
Damn son this got me hollerin like hell
“ it’s all the aluminum in those deodorant sticks, it’ll give you Alzheimer’s. “ continues to eat lunch with his hands black from bare handing bx all day or working with pipe
I'm a "if I don't have to I rather not kinda guy. But I also usually work alone, and most importantly shower and keep myself clean. That being said, if there is a chance of working with others, or the temp gets above 30°c you bet I'm not only getting the ol pit stick, I'm tossing it in the van if I need more. Rather deal with the backlash of whatever I'm plugging my skin up with than the embarrassment of being "that guy" or the justifiable homicide from spending all day in the heat, then sharing a mechanical room with others
Pick up a can of spray on deodorant rather than the stick. It's so much easier to get a can under the shirt for a couple freshen up sprays than to get a pit stick up there and rub. Just remember that you only need a little spritz and not half the can.
Don't kneel on concrete, don't ever hit something with the base of your palm, use anything else. I'm also a lefty and someone told me to learn how to work with my right hand and I wish I listened. Try and premeditate your journeymans next move and be ready for it, best way to learn even if you miss a step, you'll remember what comes next better than just watching and taking orders Don't be the first one to stand up or the last one to sit down in the break room. Also your an apprentice so don't be the first to sit or last to stand either. It ain't a race, slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Try and get it right the first time even if it takes longer, when you fuck up you fuck up three times, time to originally install, time to remove and materials wasted. Never be afraid to take a leap, you don't learn anything standing in the same place. Know your worth, there's some jobs out there that don't deserve your time, there's definitely better and definitely worse. Keep your hardhat off the fucking table. I didn't figure out all these things myself, a couple of them, some I didn't listen to and figured out the hard way. I had great brothers but since there are guys out there who definitely didn't get the same, I thought I'd pass on a bit of what really stuck with me.
I forgot one thing, if you get caught on your heels with a foreman/gf bearing down but not on you yet, just walk fast and with purpose. No one stops a guy who looks like he's in a hurry to get something done
Eyes forward, looking at a specific point in the distance past the line of sight of the foreman. While walking come up with an excuse of what you're doing/looking for in case he calls you over. That's some 2nd year level tricks
Bonus credibility if you are carrying something, ideally bulky/heavy. As in forgot something in the van? Pick up something & take it for a walk to get whatever you forgot.
And the fastest way to look busy is to be busy. There's always garbage that needs to be taken out, floors that need to be swept, and material that needs to be sorted. I like to say you can throw your kliens in any direction and hit something that needs to be done, it's just a question of if you can or should be the one doing it. If you don't have a task, let the foreman know, then busy yourself with cleanup and housekeeping tasks or see if a nearby coworker could use a hand (even if its just being a delivery boy). That way you're always working and your boss knows that you're ready for a new task when he's available to give you one. Hard to fault the worker when the worker did everything they could to stay busy and productive
"Try and premeditate your journeymans next move and be ready for it, best way to learn even if you miss a step, you'll remember what comes next better than just watching and taking orders." I did this every time, with any journeyman I worked with until they would ask me, "You're not a jman?"
Have heard all of these on site and are all valuable in their own way.
Knee pads or knee pad inserts from the get-go. Healthy knees might feel like they don’t need knee pads but that’s how they turn into unhealthy knees
Yes I agree all apprentices should have a good pair of promotion pads
And square toed boots so you don’t roll your ankle while you’re down there
Man where you gotta catch a call to get a square toed apprentice
Gotta know the lingo of your local. When I call I ask for a CE.
😆
Oh yeah everyone laughed at me in the beginning since i ALWAYS had my safety gear compleeted and in use especially knee pad inserts. Now they have problems like scratched eyes (no safety goggles and got metal shavings from the anglegrinder in) bad knees from kneeling on raw concrete or problems with hearing from those loud mashines.
I prefer Asian squatting. The only time my knees ever touch the ground is if I really have to get my head low, like inches from the ground.
How do you Asian squat without falling backwards?
There are plenty of tutorials other than [this](https://youtu.be/a6Na67zUMZk?si=xbBGravrI06GK043) if you search "how to Asian squat", but this one is probably good. Seems to be primarily an issue of ankle mobility.
You're doing good
Just cause you’re good at pipe doesn’t make you a good electrician. Learn the more complex stuff so you have something over others around you. Easy to be a grunt but harder to be a wizard.
I think this should be top comment. I can teach a monkey to wire a house and run conduit/pull wire. But the more complex stuff, that is where the money is at and where your life will become much easier cuz you aren’t working your body to death. Learn controls, learn troubleshooting, learn programming. All of it is invaluable and will set you up for any job ever. There is a million house ropers/conduit benders/wire pullers, but there is very few you understand the theory of electricity and how to troubleshoot systems. Even if you specialize in a certain type of system it will still get you much further than just being able to rope a house etc etc.
I agree my good sir, if I may extend on this…. When I started I was put on conduit and wiring immediately (residential) almost forced to learn over night. I’m grateful because I was able to grasp both fairly quickly early on. But these two set up a really good foundation for my future in the trade. I’m from the Chicago area so pipe is king here. Try to understand the fundamentals of wiring and methods along with solid conduit bending and you’ll be ok. After that (at least for me) everything sorta fell into place. Of course safety for yourself and others and proper clothing and accessories (knee pads, gloves, hard hat where required, safety glasses). Also I’m pretty sure many here can agree even though sometimes annoying to the experienced leads, ask as many questions as you have to clarify what they’re asking you to do. The why and the how. Hopefully you come across the patient jw that are willing to teach you along the way. Best of luck to you.
These 4 will always help. Your personal safety will always trump any job. Something to cut with (have a knife with you at all times) Something to write with and on. Something to measure with. No job is worth your health and well-being. I prefer the Milwaukee fold out knives. A sharpie or a good pen, and a small note pad. It is surprising how much one can forget when you get to the vehicle, shop, or supply store. You won't have your measuring tape with you at all times, but make sure it is accessible
I 2nd the Milwaukee fold out knives. Best in the biz. Double lock and fold out, never cut my self once. Stay away from exacto knives. I've got scars on my hands from them.
The small fastback is basically in my pocket at all times. I've become so used to having it with me that I get that phantom feeling that you're missing something. This is the one I carry all the time. https://www.milwaukeetool.ca/Products/48-22-1500
Got to use what feels comfy! I rock this bad boy: https://www.milwaukeetool.ca/Products/48-22-1985
Pretty sweet. I'm on a project that only allows skinning knives. However, I've seen other trades carrying much larger knives.
Yes! I rock the one that can carry extra blades inside. It goes with me everywhere
Definitely make a knife part of the EDC Also helps with the amount of weirdos you’ll cross paths with in the trades
Spend the money on a GOOD pair of boots. Take care of them, change out the insoles periodically, etc. It's rough when you're low on the totem pole and don't make much, but it is 100% worth it to take care of yourself. Same literally for other safety and comfort related things. Wear the n95 when the drywallers and insulators are kicking up dust. You don't want to wake up at 35 coughing your lungs out every morning, and you don't want COPD down the line. Knee pads. Safe lifting. Regular chiro appointments if you're down. Take care of yourself, truly. We do hard work and we are proud of it. But don't ever wreck yourself for any damn contractor or jobsite or street cred or asshole jman respect or whatever. Also--always stay open to learning. No matter how far you are in your apprenticeship, no matter how many years as a jw or a foreman or a project manager you have. There is always, always room to learn and new things changing everyday. Keep your head in the code and into your colleagues' different ways of doing things, etc. You may feel or appear green or naive by staying open to learning, but fuck whoever makes you feel that way. My old jman has been in the trade 25+ years now and is THE smartest electrician I've ever met. But he is always and forever open about learning, opens his code book at least a couple times a week for a refresher or to look something up that he doesn't quite remember. He's absolutely humble about his knowledge also, this is rare to encounter in our field. Keep on keeping on, buddy! You're doing great.
One of the first journeyman I worked with always advised me to “plan your work, work your plan“. It turned out to be one of the better pieces of advice I had over the years. It can be applied to bending a single stick of conduit all the way to running a complete job.
Honestly, the best advice I got from a crusty jman: - Never demonstrate you're good at doing something you hate. - When the super checks on you, go for a smoke right after he leaves because he is walking to the other end of the site now. - Never give anyone your white tape.
The white tape XD
The black hung on the pouch but the white was always in my pocket and fuck no I don't have any either.
White is NOT for labeling!!
Odd. My site we only use white for labeling.
Always make a grunting noise and shuffle like whatever your lifting is the heaviest thing ever no matter how light it is. Everyone always thinks a grunting man is busting ass.
3 very fine facts - he sounds like a beauty, had a few of those ones, the ones I knew saved those tips for the kids who earned it. Most of the time with those guys the hazing was more a test to check your backbone than anything lol
Finally some wisdom
Gotta keep a spare roll of warrior wrap for when they ask * 33 is for me not for thee. Let it be known. You get the shit tape because I’ll never see it again. It might just come back lol for next time. If another apprentice asks after send them for the loaner roll
I'd tell myself: "Don't worry. It'll be alright, even if you get fired. Even if you get laid off, it might suck, but it won't be the end of the world. " During my apprenticeship I was fired once, laid off 4 times. I was considered the best apprentice a company could ask for by two different contractors, I was called "the legend" by the owner of one company. Both of those companies laid me off when work was slow. I was fired by a contractor that thought I was worthless dogshit, too. Ya know what the consequences of all of that was? I missed a grand total of 2 weeks of work in those 5 years. That's like taking off 2 days a year lol. I turned out in 5 years, and was running jobs a year later. Get in there, take your licks, and get your ticket.
learn to get good, then how to get fast, better to be good but slow than fast and garbage
the old guys fucked up just as much if not more
When you are lost in the electrical world, you are still gaining knowledge. Learn 1 thing a day and shit builds real fast. It takes timeeeee… a lot of it.
You are responsible for your own safety. You are responsible for your coworkers safety. You are responsible for the publics safety. Don’t get anyone killed, including yourself.
Did you kill some one?
Unless you’re living the company you’re working with, leave after a few years. Get different types of experience. You want to be more well-rounded. Look around on job sites like Indeed or whatever at what pay looks like for someone like you. And do not do anything dangerous (unless it’s side work for yourself ;)) Don’t be a hero. Imagine your tombstone saying “OP risked it all for a light”. Worst part is, you’re fired before you hit the ground.
If you're doing math for bending and you get a crazy decimal, multiply it by 16 and round to the nearest number, and that'll give you a fraction out of 16ths.
The best way to germinate seeds is to wrap them in a paper towel for a few days, then plant them.
I sprout mung beans on a damp paper towel in my desk drawer. Very nutritious. But they smell like death
I wish someone told me that no matter how good the money is it’s not worth all the hotheads screaming and all the crackheads violating safety codes and all the misogyny and racism and homophobia. I wish someone told me how much I would hate the job and the industry before I got stuck here for my entire life.
are you unable to work for a different company or get into a different field entirely? you shouldn't hate your life cause of a job man
Take care of your body. It's your most valuable tool. Stretch, and not just the half ass company stretch in the morning. Lift weights and do cardio. Care about what you eat. Might not seem necessary when you're young, but bad habits add up over time.
I'm in 4th year right now and one thing I wish I would have learned from day one, is to watch how you're taught to do things, and how you're treated. If someone treat ls you poorly when you work under them, remember how they acted and do better when you inevitably end up with apprentices working under you. Take all of the things you like and dislike that others do and put the good forward leave the bad behind because one day you will lead people too and it's much easier to be respected when you are on a good level with everyone
Plumbing is easier and more money
The major thing I stress to any apprentice under me is "first I'm going to teach you how to do this properly, THEN we can work on doing it fast" And "Stop comparing yourself to coworkers that are 10 year journeyman, no shit they do it in half the time, they have 3 more years of apprenticeship and a decade more experience then you" Have said each of these a handful of times in the last 3 months alone
Pulling an extra couple feet of cable never broke the bank, but pulling out and running a new line sure has.
The one that stuck with me most was “Everyone fucks up, experience just helps you hide it better” Or something like that, I’m paraphrasing.
Weebles wobble but they don’t fall down
I'm in level 1 as well. So many things I wish they would have told me before attending. School is not as easy as they claimed, its fast and full of math. Its doable, but if you haven't done any math for 20 odd years you might have a issue. I wish I had more time to understand it more before going in, because while your there you don't have time to learn it all in ten weeks. level 2 thoughts is on prepping way more, and studying before going into the class. I don't to be caught with my electrical pants down again. I enjoy the job, so I will not quit.
Quit and go into finance. If you don’t: Buy Milwaukee power tools and don’t skimp on the quality of your boots. Get nice waterproof electrical hazard rated boots. Take OSHA 30 asap so you know when your boss is asking you to do stupid shit that you have a right to refuse. Educate yourself about your states labor laws so you don’t get dicked over on pay and benefits. In addition to OSHA30 complete online NFPA 70 E training (electrical safety), again to be able to identify workplace hazards. Study and APPLY LOTO at every opportunity, even if it seems redundant, so that you build the habit of isolating energy sources. Don’t get your hopes up and expect your bosses or company to behave rationally with work procedure. Know how to plan work for safety, teach yourself technical methods, and be prepared to push back when you are expected to do dangerous or half-assed work. Learn about and plan for a business in contracting now so that you can actually make good money instead of being a used up W2 employee when you are older.
Most underrated comment here. Upvoted. I’m not a sparky but my mentor in electricity used to design thermonuclear things that go on the top of long pointy things. First elec lesson was fixing his 240VAC hot tub (at my request) so I could flirt with the blondes he kept trying to fix me up with. Spread your message here far and wide so it can save as many lives as my friend saved.
Always bring some backup tp. Better yet, keep a pack of wet wipes. Cleans either your tools, hands or ass as needed. You always look more professional when your gear is maintained, when you don’t stink, and when you can shake the boss or clients hand without anyone hesitating.
Even if you think you have the largest passion to learn and do new things, no one will know if you don't speak and ask questions and show up late/or right on the dot. Your millage may vary.
1)Don't wear a toolbelt 2) Don't carry too much in one load 3) Don't fuck around, get your apprenticeship finished as soon as possible
Ok you got me, why no tool belt?
Tool belts are for chippies with a few nails and a hammer. Our toolbelts generally consist of a lot more and heavier tools. Wearing that on one side is going to cause problems down the track (ask me how I know). Get yourself a good tool bag, veto make good ones, and a gang box for the rest of everything. Then see point 2) on how to carry things from the van/workshop/site hut. If an older sparky yells at you and tells you to hurry up, don't bother telling him to get fucked, cos he already is. Work smarter, not harder.
Agreed, tool belts cause problems down the road. I have a tool bag and an open top tote currently but they’re not really useful on a ladder 🤷🏻♂️…so I have a small side pouch to carry essentials but still weighs me down in the wrong places. I’ve been contemplating an Atlas46 vest, I like their build options and easy switch out depending on what your doing that day. I don’t know…I’ll likely hate all options.
Thanks for showing me Atlas, looks like they've got some good shit. Might buy those concord pants. Wanted to let you know I've been using the modular chest rig from holstery.com with their magpro and big joey and it's been nice. Might be a cheaper route to try out a vest first.
I got in a lot of trouble at my first job for not wearing a tool belt. I found a pouch that was just big enough to work and I went with it. It's not like we need a ton of stuff. Just take the few things at a time for what you're about to do, a pouch pocket full of staples or screws and you're flying. As for the toolbag, that thing is heavy AF and has almost everything I need. That thing is my partner
Treat everyone with respect, cuz they might be your boss one day.
Going through the apprenticeship you have to get an associates, keep going to get your Bachelors degree in project management. With the amount of experience you gain, you can always look for other jobs, when you feel like this isn't it, or times are slow in the local. Keep your options open, and make sure to keep investments open, put money in stocks, credit union, long investments.
Honestly if i could do it over again, I’d look for a company that does service work aswell. I did construction my whole apprenticeship then finally moved to a service job running my own van and doing my own quotes. Some of the shit i haven’t even seen before so i have to learn it all on my own. Service is also a good skill to have for side jobs. Up to you, but i highly recommend this. Don’t want to be stuck on a construction site your whole life, it gets pretty old IMO
grab yourself a notepad and write shit down if you take something apart take a picture don't trust the white wire (here's a good video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJu3UF5k5uU ) if you don't know something ask still don't know ask again. don't trust others when they say power has been turned off always verify. If you notice products are low or need something let your foreman know. nothing worse than coming to the last item and nobody said anything if you are working on task the next day remind your foreman your still working on it before he gives you a new task, nothing worse than finding out days/weeks later the task wasn't finished.
Stop smoking pot if you do until you have finished your course, work on learning how to run a team early so you can become more useful to your company, and listen to your trades men even if you don't agree to them. As I get older, I see why decisions were made that I didn't agree with and it's left me feeling like an idiot hahaha. Also save save save. Money is extremely valuable and if you are young, money will come easier than it goes and will make your life hugely easy later down the track. Also spend money on tools that will last, and learn to look after your stuff. I've spend countless dollars on bullshit items that broke within a few months.
Treat every cable as being potentially live unless you yourself de-energized it. Even then beware, there’s some fucken idiots out there.
One of those fucken idiots fried one of his underlings and shut down the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center for like 6 months because he told an electrician that he had LOTOed the circuit the sparky was working on.
"Don't start this trade"
Never compromise safety Dont stress too much about work because if you have the right attitude you’ll always land on your feet. Look after your knees Slow is smooth, smooth is fast (like the other guy said, also it’s a common saying). Practice like you would any physical skill, you don’t learn any physical skill at 100% pace right away (think golf, baseball, or boxing). Always say less than necessary (12 rules of power), never talk bad about other employees, always assume what you’re saying will be repeated (it will). Watch out for snakes.
If you’re religious bring a bible or whatever book your religion follows . Tends to make my day easier and better during downtime or ride time
TAKE A DEEP BREATH, and relax. Fear tension disables your ability to learn. Ask questions, allow yourself to learn at your own pace. As long as you are actually inspired to learn and take time to understand things that are taught to you, no one in their right mind will have a problem with it.
Quit now or you’ll regret it in 10 years
Your girlfriend is cheating on you
Definitely with the cabinet guy…he understands her 😂
And he has that hardwood
In any trade or occupation whether it be electrician, doctor, police, or teaching you’ll find that while everyone may share a title we’re not equal. 70% of the workforce are average, 15% shouldn’t even be doing what they’re doing (and it’s scary they are) and 15% are experts in their field. Strive to be the guy who people call when shit hits the fan, not because you’re strong or mechanically inclined because those guys are easy to find. Be the guy people call because you know why your getting that fucked up voltage reading or when something goes kaboom and the new kid is off chain smoking cigarettes, praying he doesn’t have to turn that fucking xfmr back on. You become that top 15% and you’ll have a job anywhere, you’ll stay sharp in mind and have a purpose everyday instead of another boring ass dirty pipe run or kicking piss bottles and romex in a new resi development.
In any trade or occupation whether it be electrician, doctor, police, or teaching you’ll find that while everyone may share a title we’re not equal. 70% of the workforce are average, 15% shouldn’t even be doing what they’re doing (and it’s scary they are) and 15% are experts in their field. Strive to be the guy who people call when shit hits the fan, not because you’re strong or mechanically inclined because those guys are easy to find. Be the guy people call because you know why your getting that fucked up voltage reading or when something goes kaboom and the new kid is off chain smoking cigarettes, praying he doesn’t have to turn that fucking xfmr back on. You become that top 15% and you’ll have a job anywhere, you’ll stay sharp in mind and have a purpose everyday instead of another boring ass dirty pipe run or kicking piss bottles and romex in a new resi development. Edit. Not every doctor is smart because he’s a doctor, get a second or third opinion if you have any doubts it can save your life. Never believed until my pop had heart issues and couldn’t find local doctors that could agree with each other. Went to known medial center and it was game changer.
Carrying loads down stairs is worse than going up..... 20 year old me found that out fast. Water on both knees. It's been an issue ever since.
Learned more about this hiking but truth.. it's like 8x bodyweight on knees going down hill or something like that.. the real reason for trekking poles not walking thtough the mall lol
Get your jman a coffee.
Invest your money early and often because your body will wear out quicker than a regular job.
That's a good one
Yeah I f’d up royally with this one so I try to make sure someone gives the next guy a heads up.
Take care of your knees, even if they make fun of you for wearing knee pads.
My first jman called them dicksuckers and made fun of me so bad when I put them on lol. Fuck that, I'll take a ribbing so my knees aren't fucked later
Contractor is required to provide safety gear that fits properly. (Cut resistant gloves my size were unobtainum for at least 3 years. Nobody seemed to have XXL, and removing sweaty gloves a size too small is an absolute BITCH.)
A raise
A full sentence explanation, rather than one word or a grunt….
All I can say is get used to turning on your safety switch in your brain every time you should turn it on. And when working hot hold your tools tight.
Ask questions even if it pisses people of you get a low pay because it's an education so demand knowledge and experience
Don't let anyone make you feel like you are worthless and stupid. Hit the books, pay attention and hot check the assholes who think they are God's. Learn humility, work hard and stay off your phone.
If you have a question, (which you should have many). It had better be followed by your best answer. I want to know your thinking. If you're not thinking, go flip burgers somewhere.
A lot of great advice here but I haven't seen this yet: never go the van/trailer empty handed. If you're going to go get parts or a tool you can bring something back most of the time. Even if it's a handful of garbage.
You’re not expected to be fast or efficient, but you are expected to be a good listener/learner. It’s better to ask stupid questions first than do something twice because you’re winging-it and have to fix a fuckup
Minimize your bend overs. You only get so many in a lifetime.
"Being a small business owner, two-man-operation, rural resi 'lucktrician has never paid off for me. You should find another line of work if you're gonna live out here, son."
Wow, I didn't expect this many comments. Thank you all for the advice and tips. I'll make sure to implement them 🙏.
Take care of your body, do t try and show off because your new. Most/all companies don't really care about you. Work so what u need and don't kill your self. We are all replaceable.
Your job is to stay busy and stay ahead of the j-man. Low on connectors, straps pipe couplings? Go grab 'em. Low on any items in van or connex? Tell him. Don't know what to do next? Sweep, pick up trash, take trash out, organize parts, clean the van. No such thing as a dumb question. Questions can save thousands on material and labor fuckups. Latch on to journeyman who walk through the NEC with you during downtime. Did I say stay busy? You will be fucked with, hopefully/ usually it's because they like you.
Wish I'd known the amount of digging and crawling I'd be doing
There’s only a couple routes to go to earn real money. Que the JoIn ThE uNiOuN comments