The March of the Apprentices

As the warmth of summer fades and the leaves begin to change, the march of apprentices back into the schoolhouse begins.  I teach part-time at one of the many trade schools throughout America. It keeps me young, informed, I get to explore my craft deeper, and best of all I get to interact and shape the newest generation of electricians.  Every year I ask the same sort of questions to my incoming class: name, what brought you to electrical, what do you hope to get out of the class, career high and low.  It’s the sort of standard fare you normally ask.  There is no right or wrong answer, there are no points.

Ohm's Law in the classroom

Out of all the time teaching, I don’t think I have ever had a student say that the number one reason for entering the trades was, “For the money”.  It’s true, we all want to feed ourselves and put a roof over our heads, but “for the money” does not sustain you at an underground installation in the middle of a Northeast Ohio winter or get you to read books on the side to better your craft.  Sure, we want to make money, but that is not why I or many other people became an electrician.

I was in graduate school, working on a PhD in Chemistry that wasn’t quite right for me.  For others, they figured it out in high school, halfway through a bachelor's degree, or they always knew.  I love the challenge of perfecting that which cannot be perfected.  There is always something to learn.  If you think you know it all, turn the page and become an estimator, project manager, inspector, or, hell, start a company if you are really a glutton for punishment.

I am frequently asked to attend job fairs where people young and old are exploring the trades.  I meet people debating options like plumbing versus electrical, carpentry versus HVAC, or any other combination you can dream of.  I always jokingly tell them that you don’t pick your trade, your trade picks you, and it is up to you to discover your true calling. 

Right or wrong, the advice is the same: if you are looking to enter the trades, talk to someone in the trade you are considering.  Reach out to a trade group if you don’t know anyone in that particular job. For electrical, call your local IEC, ABC, or Union to explore and learn.  I have learned two things in life: one – never go anywhere without a book and two – people love talking about themselves and especially what they do for a living.  If you are earnestly interested in learning about what others do, they will more often than not, respond with a level of openness seldom expected.  In the end who knows, maybe it will be you or someone you know marching into the school house next September.  After all America’s Infrastructure doesn’t build itself.