Tips Soon-to-Be Electricians Need to Start a Profitable Career

Are you ready to work in the electrical industry? If you are on the path to a career in this field, take a look at the top tips that can help get you started.

Meet People in the Industry

 Who better to help you get a new job or start a new business than someone who is already in the industry? Go to industry-related events (such as conferences) or ask friends or family if they know an electrician you can connect with.

Research the Profession

 Did you know that, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2018 the median pay for an electrician was $55,190 per year? If you do not have the facts you need to start your career, the BLS and professional organizations can provide you with plenty of industry-related facts and figures.

If you are not sure where to start, research general jobs in the electrical industry. From there, move on to employment opportunities by the numbers (for your specific region), average salaries, average number of work hours, average times/schedules of work hours, and other information that may make you more likely to start your career right now.

Take Advantage of Training

 Hands-on training can help you to gain skills you will use right now and for the rest of your electrical career. While classroom education has its advantages (and is necessary for you to understand the basics), take advantage of all training opportunities that are available to you.

As you move from the decision-making process to your career as an electrician, talk to local organizations and associations about the availability of apprenticeship programs. The ability to learn from a licensed professional and get on-the-job training will provide you with experience and expertise you cannot necessarily learn from a book.

Seek out opportunities to learn, volunteer to work as many hours as you’re permitted (within reason, of course), and ask your mentor or supervisor about ways to combine what you learn in school (or have already learned) and what you do at work.

Practice Problem-Solving

Electrical repair and installation requires a complex set of problem-solving and critical thinking skills. While some of the knowledge you need comes via memorization, you will also need to problem solve.

To prepare for a career in the electrical trades, practice problem-solving skills often. How can you add this type of practice to your already busy day? Start with an expert. Talk to your supervisor, a mentor, or an instructor about what types of problems electricians typically solve. This can guide your strategy and help you to think like an electrician.

Along with electrical-based problems, solve puzzles, tackle word problems, or try out a few riddles. While these have little to do with your job, these activities can help to train your mind. The more problems you solve, the sharper your critical thinking skills will become.

Learn About the Requirements

 How much education do you need to become an electrician? How many hours of classroom learning is necessary? How many hours of hands-on training does the licensing or accreditation body require? Whether you are still in the decision-making process or are early on in your career, answer these questions immediately.

The more you know about the job’s requirements (or the road to get there), the less time you will waste. No one wants to take classes they do not need or find out they accidentally skipped a critical requirement a few years into their training.

Are you ready to start your career as an electrician? Do you need more hands-on training? Contact the Independent Electrical Contractors of Greater Cincinnati for more information.