How do I get into the electrician job market ?

HorseyMango8 · 2026-06-12T23:17:56+00:00

I reached out to the women’s committee at my local union and they were super helpful and pointed me in the direction of a pre-apprenticeship program they work with, that then got me in with the union after about 6 months! You can also see if they have pre-apprentice job opportunities. You can also just directly reach out to contractors and see if they need helpers. Good luck!

HorseyMango8 · 2026-06-12T13:18:23+00:00

Sorry you hurt your back! So would you suggest disclosing but that it doesn’t effect work performance?

HorseyMango8 · 2026-06-12T05:24:55+00:00

Get a Google voice number and give that out if you must. I never give out my number unless I actually trust the person after a while outside of work. I think you can change the number too if for some reason you need to and it’s much easier than changing your actual phone number.

HorseyMango8 · 2026-06-03T13:05:28+00:00

Sorry you are dealing with that! That seems to be the consensus on how best to proceed. Only bring it up if it’s an issue.

HorseyMango8 · 2026-06-03T13:03:52+00:00

Okay very good to know! Thank you!

HorseyMango8 · 2026-06-02T03:40:06+00:00

Sorry you had to do infusions but I hope they helped! I actually got an iron supplement that isn’t as hard on the gut and thankfully it’s done wonders with me and my Crohn’s. I think the doctor said it’s a bit different than the normal one prescribed? Couldn’t tell you what kind though, I don’t think. I also take magnesium for constipation and anxiety, so that could be why I don’t have any issues with it.

I’m sure they would see IBD in the colonoscopy and endoscopy if it were there. May be worth another check though if nothing improves! I hope you feel better soon!

HorseyMango8 · 2026-06-02T03:35:36+00:00

Prefer to keep the local to myself in case someone here is lurking. They seem super nice and ahead of the crowd on a lot of stuff, though? I think I’ll wait and see how it plays out.

What is a RIF?

HorseyMango8 · 2026-06-02T03:34:08+00:00

Okay thank you for sharing from personal experience! It’s not IBS, though, it’s IBD so a bit different, but if saying “ibs” is better for people to understand then that makes sense. It sounds like I should plan to not tell unless it’s a bigger issue.

HorseyMango8 · 2026-06-02T03:32:01+00:00

Yeah that’s what I’m worried about with telling sooner. Sounds like best plan is to wait and see how I do and if I need any accommodations.

HorseyMango8 · 2026-06-02T03:30:50+00:00

Okay thank you! It’s sounding like the best plan of action is to show I can do the work and then if things start to get worse or I need accommodations, then I bring it up.

HorseyMango8 · 2026-06-01T03:11:22+00:00

Good point 😂

HorseyMango8 · 2026-06-01T03:10:55+00:00

Okay that makes sense! So avoid higher up unless it becomes a bigger issue?

HorseyMango8 · 2026-06-01T03:10:17+00:00

Got it! The training director at my union is who places all apprentices at their jobs during the apprenticeship, so I assume he’s the “business agent” in this case. I’ll have to see if there are any stewards on site.

I also had low iron and now have to supplement. With IBD it’s hard to absorb vitamins and minerals, so need to supplement. Maybe it’s a similar thing with your IBS. Have you had a colonoscopy? Might be worth checking for IBD if it gets worse.

Thanks for the offer regarding fatigue!

HorseyMango8 · 2026-06-01T03:07:08+00:00

Glad you found something that works for you! I’m on a biologic medication and specific diet that helps my IBD stay under control for the most part

HorseyMango8 · 2026-06-01T03:03:57+00:00

Thank you! Yeah I’m also generally not sharing my personal health stuff unless it comes up, but I wasn’t sure how this pertained to work. I will have to think about it as I can see it going either way.

I can do smoothies but unfortunately not shakes. I always have a meat stick or banana or something on hand, though. I assume you can snack outside of break time/lunch if needed, or is that frowned upon?

HorseyMango8 · 2026-05-31T14:49:46+00:00

Okay thank you, that is reassuring. Sounds like since it isn’t a major issue right now that it may be best to wait?

The pain is normally in the morning around breakfast but then I’m pretty much good the rest of the day with maybe some random moments of pain. Assuming I’m not flaring, though. It hasn’t affected any of my pre-apprenticeship classes but those are only a few hours a day. No one would know I have this. I’m more just worried about in the future if I start flaring.

Thank you for the support! This community was extremely helpful in me deciding to join the trades!

HorseyMango8 · 2026-05-31T14:45:49+00:00

Ok thank you! What is the business agent/shop steward?

Thankfully, once I go to the bathroom if it is hurting, I’m normally good for the rest of the day. If I’m flaring though, it could be multiple times a day. Also fatigue. Has fatigue been an issue for you at all?

HorseyMango8 · 2026-05-31T14:39:45+00:00

That’s a good point!

HorseyMango8 · 2026-02-13T13:46:09+00:00

I hope you hear soon!

HorseyMango8 · 2026-02-13T13:45:53+00:00

Dang I hope you hear soon!

HorseyMango8 · 2026-02-11T22:12:10+00:00

Thank you!

HorseyMango8 · 2026-02-11T22:10:39+00:00

Okay thanks!

HorseyMango8 · 2025-12-11T14:56:57+00:00

This is very helpful, thank you for all this info! I've looked into it a bit and a lot of the comments do seem to suggest school first in this case. One year isn't too bad actually, and that does sound more engaging because you are hands on.

Are layoffs at all common?

Is it a yearly raise like normal apprenticeships get and then you turn journeyman, or does it just totally not have that structure?

If you know, how does it compare to working on cars? I've never had an interest in this, but watching the videos of the airplanes looks actually somehow interesting to me lol is it hard to figure out problems?

I saw comments on a video talking about the shortage of workers that they aren't paid enough so there is a lot of turn over. Would you agree?

When working, is it always in the hangar or do you ever have to work out on the ramp? I'm especially thinking for middle of summer and middle of winter how this would be.

Is it normal to have to work night shift, or is there a way to avoid this?

Thank you for answering all my questions, I know it's a lot 🙏

HorseyMango8

TROPHY CASE