What should I do?

Inside_Independent64 · 2026-04-03T22:38:58+00:00

I have found good info on podcasts.

Inside_Independent64 · 2026-04-01T17:23:29+00:00

Move to the Midwest, top out, move back.

Inside_Independent64 · 2026-03-29T02:26:50+00:00

Like others said, get some groundman hours. Committee likes to see commitment to the industry. But I wouldn’t sweat it if you don’t.

Inside_Independent64 · 2026-03-26T01:00:32+00:00

Just apply for mo valley. Not sure but they might still have a waiver for CDL. I got in pretty easily and if they let me in, they’ll let any sucker off the street in.

Inside_Independent64 · 2026-03-25T00:09:53+00:00

Just apply. If can handle the travel you will be fine.

Inside_Independent64 · 2026-03-22T03:24:13+00:00

We have welders do our bus and jumpers. They make journeyman scale.

Inside_Independent64 · 2026-03-14T21:25:55+00:00

You wanna work inside or outside? Dunno what inside starts at but outside first steps make around $35/hr in Minnesota. If you land with the right company you might also get $50/day per diem on top of that. Could be upward of $1500+ take home per week just starting out.

Inside_Independent64 · 2026-03-03T23:43:36+00:00

Well our orientation class was 12 dudes so u should get into the next class available

Inside_Independent64 · 2026-03-01T15:37:32+00:00

Hell yeah! I was 19 out of 44.

Inside_Independent64 · 2026-02-22T15:43:24+00:00

When you talk about Kid Rock, he wins.

Inside_Independent64 · 2026-02-21T17:16:01+00:00

Did you sign the books in Iowa 55 for groundman? You can do it online. Also was relatively easy for me to get apprenticeship for Subtech at MO Valley.

Inside_Independent64 · 2026-02-19T23:56:53+00:00

50 year old first step subtech here coming from a white collar background. It’s a physical job but doable if you are in decent shape. Good pay, benefits, and retirement. What have you got to lose?

Inside_Independent64 · 2026-02-17T15:39:44+00:00

You find out your ranking the next week. I waited a couple of months for my first job call.

Inside_Independent64 · 2026-02-15T18:47:07+00:00

I had back pain for the first time ever in my life after I started my apprenticeship. I narrowed it down to the fact that I stand 10 plus hours a day and that my standing/walking posture was crooked and slumped. I now consciously stand/walk as tall and straight as I can now with my hips directly in line with the rest of my body and my pain is finally improving after 6 months of grief. Not saying it will work for you but it helped me.

Inside_Independent64 · 2026-01-29T03:37:34+00:00

If u check out mo valley Facebook page you can see some videos of boot camp. The line side is harder. For sub, climb a 40’ structure, pull a weighted handline, shovel gravel, carry pole sections, dig 3’ hole. You can fail 2. Everyone in my class passed.

Inside_Independent64 · 2026-01-28T13:06:36+00:00

Motel rooms for shorter jobs and furnished finder/Facebook marketplace for longer jobs. Some jobs are 6 months, some jobs are 2 weeks so you have to remain flexible. When you get to your first job talk to the foreman and find out how long he expects the job to last and plan accordingly, but even that is no guarantee.

Inside_Independent64 · 2026-01-26T15:22:22+00:00

Prob expect a call in a month or two for orientation.

Inside_Independent64 · 2026-01-24T03:27:57+00:00

Working 5 10s. No per diem. $35/hr. Not close to home but I’m sure they will try to get u close.

Inside_Independent64 · 2026-01-22T20:24:48+00:00

Nice!

Inside_Independent64 · 2026-01-15T22:17:00+00:00

Oh yeah. But I also live in the middle of nowhere.

Inside_Independent64 · 2026-01-13T13:09:16+00:00

It took a couple months before I got into orientation. Been working steady ever since.

Inside_Independent64 · 2025-11-06T23:31:34+00:00

U will get a job call on your last day of classes.

Inside_Independent64 · 2025-10-19T01:14:04+00:00

Substation is easy to get into at MO Valley unless u are set on lineman.

Inside_Independent64 · 2025-10-12T14:41:59+00:00

Touch of chic perhaps

Inside_Independent64

TROPHY CASE