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What are some positive or negative aspects about being an electrician?
I am studying in Job Corps and hope to finish facility maintenance and then move on to becoming a journeyman.
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Jeff’s Answer
My uncle is an electrician and I am in health care. I had 8 years of college and he had two years of Community college.
He has benefitted from less debt, and I have been burdened with more debt.
So often, salary numbers are shown INDEPENDENT of the student loan costs. This is dishonest.
I like the trades for many reasons. Less Debt. The potential to be a business owner.
Like Ms. Lobozzo says, a good electrician is hard to find. But what do we mean by good? Almost every
electrician will get the job done correctly.
The difference in good and bad is usually Honesty and Fairness.
I would start as an employee, almost like an internship, but well paid, and develop the experience.
Then I would start my own business.
Back to good:
An independent electrician must make cost projections. Consider a home repair.
Who will estimate how much the job will cost? You will. If you do not estimate well,
you could lose profits, or make no money at all. If you under promise and ask for more money, that is
appropriate, however, how will the customer feel about that? They may question your integrity.
If you are someone with good values, and values the customer's point of view.
You say what you are going to do (time and cost estimates) and you do what you said.
If you project well, and Like I said, almost any electrician can do the work, then
the cost correctness with bring enthusiasm to your business and refer you to others.
They may re-hire you as well.
There is no insurance. "Hey what a great doctor!", "Yes, friend, but they don't take my insurance." :(
No such thing happens with the trades. Therefore, all referrals are strong and have good put through
to other potential customers.
With good values, you build your client base.
Also, with good values, you have a decent chance to hire other employees. It is said that no one
wants to work. I find it best if you can "tell" who is a good person, hire them, or bring someone
into your trade, because you know that they say what they do, and do what they say.
A good doctor, it would take her 10 years to bring a High School student into their practice.
An Electrician, Employer, Boss, (you) could bring in a person you trust and have them
fully vested in the trade in 2-3 years.
It does no good to deliver a quality service, only to expand by hiring employees who
do not give good service, usually, not to bad technique, but bad values.
To the above, read Robert Kiyosaki's "The Financial Quadrant". Summary: There are
Employees, Self Employed, and Investor. Ideally, you do all four. However, the biggest problem
is the jump from Self-Employed to Business Owner. Mainly, because of bad values in the owner,
in hiring, in compensation, and in employees.
I really value the trades. I strongly question the path I took, health care.
No matter how well you help, they can't refer, as other possible patients don't have
insurance, or the insurance you work through. Well, and Debt, with my choice.
With the jump in Electrician work, to Owner, with good recruitment, hiring,
and valuing the employee, you can have quality service delivered and retention.
You can make money from other peoples work. And you deserve that money
Because you now how to hire and retain, when other employers do not.
He has benefitted from less debt, and I have been burdened with more debt.
So often, salary numbers are shown INDEPENDENT of the student loan costs. This is dishonest.
I like the trades for many reasons. Less Debt. The potential to be a business owner.
Like Ms. Lobozzo says, a good electrician is hard to find. But what do we mean by good? Almost every
electrician will get the job done correctly.
The difference in good and bad is usually Honesty and Fairness.
I would start as an employee, almost like an internship, but well paid, and develop the experience.
Then I would start my own business.
Back to good:
An independent electrician must make cost projections. Consider a home repair.
Who will estimate how much the job will cost? You will. If you do not estimate well,
you could lose profits, or make no money at all. If you under promise and ask for more money, that is
appropriate, however, how will the customer feel about that? They may question your integrity.
If you are someone with good values, and values the customer's point of view.
You say what you are going to do (time and cost estimates) and you do what you said.
If you project well, and Like I said, almost any electrician can do the work, then
the cost correctness with bring enthusiasm to your business and refer you to others.
They may re-hire you as well.
There is no insurance. "Hey what a great doctor!", "Yes, friend, but they don't take my insurance." :(
No such thing happens with the trades. Therefore, all referrals are strong and have good put through
to other potential customers.
With good values, you build your client base.
Also, with good values, you have a decent chance to hire other employees. It is said that no one
wants to work. I find it best if you can "tell" who is a good person, hire them, or bring someone
into your trade, because you know that they say what they do, and do what they say.
A good doctor, it would take her 10 years to bring a High School student into their practice.
An Electrician, Employer, Boss, (you) could bring in a person you trust and have them
fully vested in the trade in 2-3 years.
It does no good to deliver a quality service, only to expand by hiring employees who
do not give good service, usually, not to bad technique, but bad values.
To the above, read Robert Kiyosaki's "The Financial Quadrant". Summary: There are
Employees, Self Employed, and Investor. Ideally, you do all four. However, the biggest problem
is the jump from Self-Employed to Business Owner. Mainly, because of bad values in the owner,
in hiring, in compensation, and in employees.
I really value the trades. I strongly question the path I took, health care.
No matter how well you help, they can't refer, as other possible patients don't have
insurance, or the insurance you work through. Well, and Debt, with my choice.
With the jump in Electrician work, to Owner, with good recruitment, hiring,
and valuing the employee, you can have quality service delivered and retention.
You can make money from other peoples work. And you deserve that money
Because you now how to hire and retain, when other employers do not.
Updated
Giovina’s Answer
Hi Pamela, I'm not an electrician but I am a home owner and an income property owner. I can tell you first hand, it's impossible to find a good electrician! Trade jobs will always be around and if your good, you'll have so much volume in business that you'll be able to work at your own pace. Being an entrepreneur allows you to have freedom and that's what you can get from being a qualified tradesperson. I wanted to be in a trade when I was younger like my dad. But he said it was hard work and not for me. That was disappointing but now a days, I try to do all the household things on my own and I love it. And last week - I changed 3 light fixtures. I was worried I'd burn the house down but if I could find someone like you - you'd be in my speed dial! Good luck!!
You've completely melted me with your kind words. I will work hard and hopefully I will succeed! Make sure to stay safe and try and find a good professional, rather be safe than sorry. :)
Pamela