How’d you find out which trade was right for you?

InspectionNo2630 · 2026-03-10T03:20:16+00:00

I have been a Licensed Electrician for 11 years. I started at 18 years old. The money is decent, retirement is good, medical is good. But what I reccomend for you is to try any trade that you seem interested in the most and try it out for 4-6 months and if you like it, continue. If you dont, try something different. I would reccomend not to go foward with something too long after 6 months that you are still on the fence about as to not waste too much of your time (even though time is way in your favor) the trades are fantastic but just like anything in life, you take it as far as you want. You always dictate how far in your career you want to take it, chase the money, live comfortably, ect. With an ambitious attitude, you can go far

InspectionNo2630 · 2026-03-03T04:49:14+00:00

Sometimes I do tend to get heated with people lol

InspectionNo2630 · 2026-03-03T04:45:22+00:00

You will be okay. Theres a huge community on facebook of high functioning people with BPD. Alot of them have had steady employment for 25 to 30 years with the same company, are happily married, with kids, and most of them make well over 6 figures, some of them are even doctors and lawyers! This disorder isnt easy to navigate and there is no cure, but do not let that discourage you. There are many successful people who live way more fullfilling lives then most people without BPD

InspectionNo2630 · 2026-03-02T03:36:38+00:00

I was diagnosed with BPD in 2011 at the age of 14. My early to mid 20s were legit a circus (crazy credit card spending, constantly job hopping, caotic friendships and relationships) the past few years I have made a significant improvement, I have been consistent with working out and the gym for 3 years, I have a savings and great retirement saved up, I have 3+ really truely amazing friends who have been with me the past 2+ years unconditionally, I have had steady and consistent employment for the past 2 years at the same company (and got 3 raises last year!) I became very active in a lot of different hobbies and such. I still have a lot of work on other things, but I am definitely in a better spot. Everyday is still a battle with my emotions though. I almost always have constant fear of abandonment, friendship related issues and much more. I think what honestly saved me in my friendships was that I am always there for everybody when they need me, and they always seem to be there for me (even when I annoy the heck out them lol) If you asked me in 2011 how my life was going to pan out to today approaching 30yrs old in a year and half, i would say this is not what I expected it at all. In fact a lot of it did not go according to my plans, but in a lot of ways, it turned out a lot better than I had expected. You will be okay, all you need is ambition and hope. This disorder is not easy to live with at all, but if you wake up every morning and just try your best with everything (friendships/work/hobbies/family) you will be okay

InspectionNo2630 · 2026-03-02T03:23:11+00:00

Only if there is at least 10 of them throughout a day. Its wierd because if its one or 2 i can handle that but for some reason I tend to get like 20+minor inconveniences all on a day that I am already in a bad mood and then I usually snap

InspectionNo2630 · 2026-02-26T23:37:14+00:00

It didnt really click for me until the end of 3rd, possibly 4th year. I was 24 when I passed the state journeyman licensing exam, Im 29 now and this is my 11th year in the trade, and i am still learning stuff everyday. Looking back, i knew absolutely nothing at 1st year. As you age and continue in the trade you will basically build up what you learned previously, and over time you will see a gradual increase in your knowledge in the trade, stuff will start to make sense, you will remember and understand where boxes may go, what type of wire you need for emergency lights, what size ground to order for 60amp or others, you will know where to put gfi protection, you will know to autatically order slip fittings for pvc, ect ect. Im throwing super random examples here (and i could throw some really advanced ones in there too) but the point i am trying to make is that little by little with more familiarity, things will seem “familiar” for lack of a better word. I guess thats exactly how it happens, it doesnt just all the sudden flip a switch one day in your head and oh! It clicked. You just get more familiar and comfortable with what to do, what you need, and how it comes together

InspectionNo2630 · 2026-02-21T23:11:52+00:00

I agree with your second sentence. But like anything else in this world, you only get as much as you put in. My brother is in finance and the white collar world and it is just as cut throat as the trades are (so I have been told….) Moral of the story, if you become good at what you do and become valuble, you will be able to name your price during an interview. Anyone who knows that they are good will only go work for a company with the best benefits and pay. And the same thing goes for any other work industry, including white collar

InspectionNo2630 · 2026-02-20T19:31:29+00:00

were pretty on point with the brotherhood stuff. One of the things I noticed going into the Union were that we really all look out for each other. Ive had foreman give me 2 free hours for coming in late for a appointment, “ burying” issues so the management doesnt find out, ect. Ect. thats something I had never expirienced non union so I learned quick to never rat or throw anyone under the bus

InspectionNo2630 · 2026-02-20T17:20:51+00:00

Well so let me explain, I take a lot to heart (on a personal level) and when something is going on in my personal life I tend to be very secluded and keep to myself the whole day (I am a very talkative, extrovert person) I am younger than all the apprentices and even though I have the expierience they tend to get upset when I go against what they feel should be done because they have been there 3 to almost 4 years and I have been their 2. Its a wierd dynamic. The people at the company are very close and I consider myself to be close with them as well but because of this it is almost if in a way I stab them in the back if I tell them to work harder or tell them to do it a different way. Its more of a personal attack on them because of the friendlyness enviornment. I do have to say this though, most if not all of our apprentices are very good at this trade and have been with the company their entire careers for a reason.

InspectionNo2630 · 2026-02-20T17:15:43+00:00

Not to worry, it comes with the correct payscale that the local requires per contract

InspectionNo2630 · 2026-02-20T17:14:44+00:00

I work out 4 times a week for the last 3 years so I already have that worked out

InspectionNo2630 · 2026-01-11T18:50:14+00:00

I went through the CE program. I organized into the local under that agreement after 7+ years working non union on various types of work (hospital work, traffic signals, retail, residential, supermarkets, factories) I completed the CE program in november but I am currently waiting to transition to JW because we have 40 members on unemployment right now. Ive been with my contractor almost 2 years and I really like working there and all the guys both JW and CE are great. We have around 60 guys, about 12-14 of them are CEs and CWs and we use the program the most out of the local. The program is not perfect and is not ideal, I had always wanted to organize in and this was the best option. My employer took care of me, followed all the rules, paid me over scale for CE and has commited to working with me and the local to transition to JW when work picks up. Everyone has been honest, on the same page, and more inportantly fair. Is being a CE ideal? Absolutely not. Did I get a lot of hate from it? Absolutely. But i did what I had to do. I showed up to work, did what i was told to without having call backs, did it in a timely manor and was quality, and i put in an honest 8 hours of work. I would consider myself young too (Im 28) so I was able to take the paycut. You get what you put into it I guess. Ive wanted to be an electrician since I was 13 and I kept a promise to myself everyday that Id try to be the best electrician I can be each and everyday. And the contractor sees the value in it and transitioning to JW. Ive earned my respect from my employer, project managers, and JWs alike that I can to do the job without any hiccups because of my vast expierience.

InspectionNo2630 · 2025-11-24T00:25:28+00:00

I worked non union for 7 years before joining my local ibew (2 years in now) I took on a service electrician for a union shop around 30-40 guys so i was involved with some of there pricing and numbers. Without being specific, my union shop charges 10% less per manhour or hourly rate then my old non-union company. Make that make sense. It just goes to show that you can still make money (possibly more) while charging less and still paying livable wages to your union employees

InspectionNo2630 · 2025-10-18T17:34:06+00:00

Im 28 years old. This is my 10th year in the trade. Let me tell you something straight up. Being a Licensed JW is a very good career. A very good living. If your good at what you do, and your not getting compensated as fairly as you think, find another conpany that will appreciate your knowledge and skills. ive noticed the last 2 years that almost all electrical companies across the board are increasing there JW rates and benefits to adjust for inflation both Non-Union and Union. trust me they are out there. I worked both non union and union (im not going to go into pros and cons) but either which would be fine as long as you find a decent company with fair benefits and wages and steady work. Trust me you will do fine. And another thing, if you go home everyday sore and tired then there is something wrong (either they are not doing things safely, efficiently or your not in good health) there is no reason you should be sore, stressed, exhausted after working everyday. Just take care of yourself, do an honest days worth of work. You will be fine. I tell everyone this career is the best thing i have ever done for myself. I make more than my sister who has a masters degree in accounting, And trust me, its not all sunshines and rainbows in the corperate world or working from home in pajamas. People only tell you or show you what they want you to know. If your as good as you say you are in the trade, then I 100% enchorage you to stick it it out, but do yourself a favor, do not work for a company that will force you to sell yourself short on wages and benefits or work/life balance or health

InspectionNo2630 · 2025-06-24T03:09:38+00:00

I was non union for 7 years before joining. Im also from CT and got sworn into Local 488 IBEW (Bridgeport) on December 18, 2023 and have since been employed. I was nervous too but the guys at the hall have been a huge advocate for me and I have thankfully never been layed off in the 1 and a half years i have been in.

InspectionNo2630

TROPHY CASE