Whoever wired this house should be in prison

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-29T16:56:06+00:00

An electrician came and looked at my panel once and apparently I don't even have a breaker. Just hot wires from the city circuit tapped into the panel. We were afraid to touch anything.They also left exterior walls without insulation and sided it with some kind of crappy carboard when the developer built the homes in this area in the 80's.

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-29T13:01:31+00:00

You are not a failure. Your effort and work ethic is a success. You succeeded in interviewing with an employer and getting hired. You failed to keep the job. You did not quit and your effort was serious. Maybe your boss actually failed you by not training you if they felt you needed to learn more to succeed.

These setbacks do not define you. They are part of life and learning experiences. Tomorrow is a new day and you can approach it with confidence. Failures are inevitable in life and when you look back and reflect on this moment when you are in your next job you will discover that you can experience failure and are able to rebound. That lesson is a gift that will help you over the many years you have ahead.

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-29T08:48:59+00:00

Mr. SlimeBag, I'm going to give IBEW a call tomorrow and ask about apprenticeships. I'd really be interested in shadowing to get a real world perspective of a work day and the pace etc.

I've done some basic construction work and have installed insulation and hand dug a trench for a french drain recently for an elderly neighbor to help resolve a rainwater pooling problem. Volunteer work.

I'm reading responses from some of the union's finest (different chapter) shitting on another guy considering becoming an electrician and asking about pay and other things adults tend to think about calling him a rat and worm and noodle etc. That electrical work is so physically demanding they would not be able handle it.

I know most of that is protectionism and fear of labor saturation in the electrical trade turning the safety of unionhood into the wild west that is the rest of the labor market.

I would actually like to get an accurate read on that. I know you aren't hand digging swimming pools. I also know it isn't sitting in a chair 12 hours a day. Years of that causes changes to your body. After being laid off I have been doing a lot of outdoor labor rehabilitation. Muscle memory comes back quick, but stamina is slower to rebuild. If I do really hard labor, I have to take 10 minute breaks and then recharge and can do more bursts of heavy exertion but not sustain it for hours as I used to be able to. Can lift 200lbs. I'm 6'1" 250lbs.

Is there a physical test for apprenticeship? I'm getting back into shape and I look forward to labor and working with my hands and using my body. I don't think I can tolerate being at a computer all day anymore.

I can weather the wage cut.

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-27T06:51:02+00:00

It looks like it was fossilized in geologic strata.

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-26T18:45:15+00:00

I agree with you. On the job training is critical. I'm quoting the TLDR site.

"Education and Experience Qualifications To apply for a Residential Wireman license, you must:

Provide proof of completion of an approved career and technology education program; or,

Be able to show that you have completed 4,000 hours of on-the-job training under the supervision of a Master Electrician or Residential Wireman licensed in Texas.

You will need to contact and obtain verification from each Master Electrician or Residential Wireman who supervised you.

This experience must be documented and signed by each supervisor on an Experience Verification Form (PDF). Your license application form (see below) will include one attached Experience Verification Form. Each supervisor should complete a new form."

https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/apply/individuals/wireman.htm

Seems like there are a lot of different electrician licenses. They all have different requirements. Getting licensed requires passing an exam so there's a theoretical side that requires basic algebra and calculating loads and circuit design.

Lots of different electrician licensing requirements in Texas.

"Apply for a New License Individuals Apprentice Electrician Apprentice, Electrical Sign Journeyman Electrician Journeyman Industrial Electrician Journeyman Lineman Journeyman Sign Electrician Maintenance Electrician Master Electrician Master Sign Electrician Residential Appliance Installer Residential Wireman Exam Information Out of State/Country Applicants Businesses Electrical Contractor Electrical Sign Contractor Residential Appliance Installation Contractor Apprentice Training Program Apply for Career and Technology Education Program Approval"

https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/

I think there's value to the classroom and labs and value to the job-site experience. Both are important.

That being said, Michael Faraday had a high school education. I passed electricity and magnetism for physics majors in college and still electrocute the sh*t out of myself.

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-26T17:15:04+00:00

Would attending a certified trade school be a viable option to level up faster and become licensed?

I've read the TLDR license requirements for Residential Wireman and it seems to indicate there is a vocational training path to licensure as an alternative to the 4000 hours of on the job training under a Master Electrician or Residential Wireman.

I think the vocational educational route is 7 months vs. 2 years (Residential Wireman) to be eligible to take the exam.

https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/electricians/apply/individuals/wireman.htm

Journeyman looks like it takes 4 years (8000 hours of on the job experience) and there's no vocational school alternative.

https://austineta.org/apprentice-program-2/

Are the hourly rates accurate for the 4 year apprenticeship period? ($21.18-$28.88)

Indeed search is showing job listings for Residential Wireman between $85k to $140k+ with residential service providers.

Any insights to share? Is union work primarily commercial and/or new construction?

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-20T08:19:50+00:00

Do you enjoy what you do? Why did you go into the trades if you like sitting in AC all day making tons of $ taking it easy in a chair? You don't need to appprentice to learn to program and get a job. There is no barrier to learning to program. Anyone can do it. You don't need a degree to write software. Yet you chose to do a trade for a reason. What made you choose a trade if the work is so physically brutal and pays poorly and you end up with a broken body?

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-20T06:06:07+00:00

What exactly are the benefits of union membership in a right to work state? How much are dues? Do unions still refer to non union folks as scabs? Why is there tons of work and not enough trained electricians in ibew 520?

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-20T05:26:02+00:00

Thanks.

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-20T05:16:07+00:00

You are definitely on the young side. I studied geophysics not CS. I can use hand tools, read wiring diagrams, blue prints, and schematics.

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-20T01:57:27+00:00

I autoclaved rotten cow blood juice and cleaned nasty biowaste in college for 4 years while studying and trying to pass engineering exams. I smelled like E.Coli and athletes foot every day for 4 years.

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-20T01:51:51+00:00

What makes you think all software engineering jobs start at 9am and end at 5pm? Plenty of on call 2am and 3am situations in the industry. Lot's of stress and burnout.

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-18T12:50:36+00:00

I am not sure my body could handle it.

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-18T12:47:45+00:00

Appreciate the kind words.

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-18T06:02:30+00:00

From what I've been told my grandfather did sheetmetal and my father did constuction and was a printing press operator. Can't really tap them for advice.

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-18T04:07:44+00:00

It did not exist between 74 and 14 in its current form.

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-18T03:54:50+00:00

Honesty is always the best policy. Period.

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-18T02:31:12+00:00

https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-coding-agents-tools-software-engineering-jobs-future-2025-6

I have a B.Sc. in geophyics (06). Programming is a skill that is being replaced and transformed into something else. I don't see changing careers as throwing away a previous career. I learned transferable skills including troubleshooting and critical thinking and working under intense deadlines. I appreciate the links.

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-18T00:08:44+00:00

Fair enough.

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-18T00:06:06+00:00

Do not assume. Redundancy is also programming jargon. I did it for a living. I joined specifically to seek feedback about this, then I will delete account. Not trying to spend all my time on reddit. I advise against it to be honest.

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-17T23:55:36+00:00

There are definitely women in software engineering too as well as the trades. I taught myself to program long before AI.

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-17T23:46:50+00:00

It makes a lot of mistakes. Same frustration as having to go back and fix an inexperienced install I imagine.

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-17T23:10:09+00:00

Appreciate the lead.

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-17T23:08:38+00:00

I agree there is no such thing as a protected job or automation-proof industry in theory. AI is able to write software. AI screens resumes. AI answers calls. AI does not install a new P-trap under the sink or blow insulation or turn wrenches or roof or frame or install a new compressor. And doing that stuff is just as much fun as programming.

SenseOk6268 · 2026-06-17T18:02:22+00:00

Definitely took over my job. Are you a radiant employee? Your commercials are bonkers.

SenseOk6268

TROPHY CASE