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What could I do without a degree to become a successful electrician?
im not very wealthy or knowledgeable but I need a good career for my future
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5 answers
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Sheila’s Answer
Hi Jayden,
Thanks for the great question! I will comment from the perspective of the proving ground garage where I have worked. Our team included electrical technicians, and our focus was automotive and military advanced future vehicles.
The work varied daily which made it very exciting. A few examples of daily electrical technician activities: building wiring harnesses for advanced vehicles, root causing electrical issues on current and advanced concept vehicles, readying vehicles for testing at the proving grounds, using various shop equipment, working with engineers and CAD designers to develop concept vehicles including providing input on designs and concepts, inventing, disassembling and assembling vehicles and components, garage safety walks/equipment checks in work areas, and supporting validation / testing activities. Our team was highly skilled and in great demand – it is a great field to go into.
Best wishes as you explore your future career.
Thanks for the great question! I will comment from the perspective of the proving ground garage where I have worked. Our team included electrical technicians, and our focus was automotive and military advanced future vehicles.
The work varied daily which made it very exciting. A few examples of daily electrical technician activities: building wiring harnesses for advanced vehicles, root causing electrical issues on current and advanced concept vehicles, readying vehicles for testing at the proving grounds, using various shop equipment, working with engineers and CAD designers to develop concept vehicles including providing input on designs and concepts, inventing, disassembling and assembling vehicles and components, garage safety walks/equipment checks in work areas, and supporting validation / testing activities. Our team was highly skilled and in great demand – it is a great field to go into.
Best wishes as you explore your future career.
Updated
Sreedhar’s Answer
Hi Jayden,
Electrician jobs require a 6-month long certificate program if not a degree. Since certificate programs are short duration, they cost very little. If you don't have money to start the certificate program, I recommend getting a student loan to pay for the those classes. I am sure with an electrician's salary, you can easily pay off the student loan for the certificate program. After you pay off that loan, any future education could be sponsored by your employer. Many good employers do that.
Good luck!
Sreedhar
Electrician jobs require a 6-month long certificate program if not a degree. Since certificate programs are short duration, they cost very little. If you don't have money to start the certificate program, I recommend getting a student loan to pay for the those classes. I am sure with an electrician's salary, you can easily pay off the student loan for the certificate program. After you pay off that loan, any future education could be sponsored by your employer. Many good employers do that.
Good luck!
Sreedhar
Welding is very lucrative even with or without certificate one can gain the skills and be successful in life
Ogechukwu Wilson
Updated
Solomon’s Answer
Hi Jayden, you are asking a wonderful question. I know most responsible students ask this question because they are worried that their means won't allow them to go to college and get a degree. However, Jayden, here in America there are many opportunities to help you succeed in going to college and earn a degree. If your interest is to become an electrician (which is a very good choice too), you can go to a community college and get Associate degree to become an electrician.
However, if you want to even go higher and earn an Electrical Engineering degree, you can do that even if you are poor. One thing you have to do is to overcome the fear that you are not a smart student and that you are a poor student.
You have to work hard in high school, get help from your teachers and fellow classmates and get excellent grades, study hard and ace the school admission tests. Once you do that, you can apply for scholarships, get grants, etc. Sky is the limit. Go Jayden. Go as far as you wish to go. And Jayden, California is one the best places for education.
I wish you all the best,
Solomon
However, if you want to even go higher and earn an Electrical Engineering degree, you can do that even if you are poor. One thing you have to do is to overcome the fear that you are not a smart student and that you are a poor student.
You have to work hard in high school, get help from your teachers and fellow classmates and get excellent grades, study hard and ace the school admission tests. Once you do that, you can apply for scholarships, get grants, etc. Sky is the limit. Go Jayden. Go as far as you wish to go. And Jayden, California is one the best places for education.
I wish you all the best,
Solomon
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hi, Jaden !
Great question ! I understand that you are concerned about college costs, but you can indeed go to college for an Associates Degree and study there to be an electrician.
Foothill College has an Associates program in Inside Wireman (formerly known as General Electrician). Taking a college path will be very enriching because it is a structured path and you'll have opportunities to meet people and make contacts and be aware of positions once you graduate. There are a lot of supports on campus including financial aid. You can have your college costs paid by applying for Federal Financial Aid, State Aid, Scholarships from the college and Scholarships and Grants from outside donors. Your fees for school may be waived if you apply for the California College Promise Grant at Foothill College. If you decide to go to a different college, learn if they offer the California Promise Grant that will allow you to not have to pay college fees.
It may actually be easier for you if you go to college where there are numerous supports, resources and guidance. I am not sure how to do this without formal training. Electricity is serious so a person really does need to gain both the knowledge and safe supervision. The other perks make it a worthwhile venture, too. Not to mention meeting a lot of new people and doing new activities.
You are free to make your own decision about this and I wish you well. I just think that going to Foothill would be ideal for you especially if you can get funding and or the fees waived for the two years you'd be there.
CALIFORNIA COLLEGE PROMISE GRANT THAT WAIVES YOUR FEES (FOOTHILL COLLEGE) https://foothill.edu/financialaid/programs/bog.html
ARCHIVED INFORMATION ABOUT THE GENERAL ELECTRICIAN ASSOCIATES DEGREE AT FOOTHILL COLLEGE https://foothill.edu/programs-archive/programs.html?title_id=Apprenticeship%20-%20General%20Electrician
Great question ! I understand that you are concerned about college costs, but you can indeed go to college for an Associates Degree and study there to be an electrician.
Foothill College has an Associates program in Inside Wireman (formerly known as General Electrician). Taking a college path will be very enriching because it is a structured path and you'll have opportunities to meet people and make contacts and be aware of positions once you graduate. There are a lot of supports on campus including financial aid. You can have your college costs paid by applying for Federal Financial Aid, State Aid, Scholarships from the college and Scholarships and Grants from outside donors. Your fees for school may be waived if you apply for the California College Promise Grant at Foothill College. If you decide to go to a different college, learn if they offer the California Promise Grant that will allow you to not have to pay college fees.
It may actually be easier for you if you go to college where there are numerous supports, resources and guidance. I am not sure how to do this without formal training. Electricity is serious so a person really does need to gain both the knowledge and safe supervision. The other perks make it a worthwhile venture, too. Not to mention meeting a lot of new people and doing new activities.
You are free to make your own decision about this and I wish you well. I just think that going to Foothill would be ideal for you especially if you can get funding and or the fees waived for the two years you'd be there.
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Jamie’s Answer
Don't be afraid of education. Check your local community colleges and if you are still in high school see your school counselor and voice your concerns. A mistake I made during high school was not utilizing those resources available and just assuming college was only for well off people. That said you can find jobs within electrical companies that will offer apprenticeship programs that will you take you through the paces with on the job training.