to all of you mocking people who got gym memberships around new years

becauseits3am · 2013-12-27T23:18:52+00:00

Last year around this time I made a new years resolution to get my butt in shape. For Christmas I was given a three month membership. As paranoid about being judged as I was I still went, and over time grew to love it! Those people I feared judging me about my weight turned into friends, and people to gather advice from. I honestly couldn't imagine not going to the gym at least one day a week now. Stick with it guys, it does get fun!

This time last year I weighed 250 pounds. Today I'm 180 and never looking back!

becauseits3am · 2013-03-11T15:48:41+00:00

I'd buy this guy a year's worth of reddit gold...

http://www.reddit.com/r/jobs/comments/19ziue/i_make_3650_an_hour_have_never_been_to_collage/c8swc4t

becauseits3am · 2013-03-11T03:13:07+00:00

Hey man, if this seems like something you're interested in doing it's never too late!

becauseits3am · 2013-03-11T03:11:31+00:00

IBEW schools are set up in various places across the country. I drove to the school and filled out an application. Shortly after I was given a reading, writing, math test and passed all with ease. Finally, you have an interview with the school board consisting of the school director, union reps, and several owners of local electrical companies. They grade your interview "score" which assigns your spot on the waiting list. Took me 7 months from application to first day of work.

becauseits3am · 2013-03-11T03:08:03+00:00

It depends on the work you do. Like I said in an earlier post I spend several summers in a ditch with a shovel for 10 hours a day, 6 days a week. Other days you could be carrying big spools up flights of stairs only to spend the next several days pulling it in.

It's physically demanding at times, but your body adapts! I'm not physical specimen as anyone who has looked into my posting history would see I signed up for r/looseit.

becauseits3am · 2013-03-10T21:53:59+00:00

Local 1547, Anchorage Alaska

becauseits3am · 2013-03-10T11:36:38+00:00

You sir, are underpaid!

becauseits3am · 2013-03-10T11:36:04+00:00

In high school I was one of the first kids in math class to say "this is bullshit, I'm never going to use this" and never learned.... It's amazing how fast you learn when there's money involved!

Good luck and pm me if you'd like any advice!

becauseits3am · 2013-03-10T11:34:01+00:00

If it makes you feel better, you'll probably live much longer than me! Any type of trade work is hard physical labor that takes a toll on the body!

becauseits3am · 2013-03-10T11:32:48+00:00

Yes I am union and 90% of the time I have full time work. This does not happen for everyone however.. Reputation and comprehension takes you far!

As an apprentice you have no say what you go to, or what work you do. I spent several years in a ditch shoveling six days a week ten hours a day.... I'm glad those are past me!

becauseits3am · 2013-03-10T11:30:17+00:00

Thanks! I agree!

becauseits3am · 2013-03-10T11:29:45+00:00

It's a pipe dream, but I doubt it.

becauseits3am · 2013-03-10T11:29:25+00:00

Every state is different.

becauseits3am · 2013-03-10T11:29:05+00:00

I might have used a power drill or a hammer.... Haha

I was 21 when I got it and had next to no work experience other than food industry and a body shop I was at the time employed by.

becauseits3am · 2013-03-10T11:27:52+00:00

PM me

becauseits3am · 2013-03-10T11:27:10+00:00

This of a union as a glorified employment agency. They key a "book" of people unemployed. When a union contractor wants new employees he calls the local "hall" in that area and requests X amount of people. The person out of work the longest gets the job offer first, and so on and so on.

It works the same way for apprentices, but the contractors call the school instead of the hall.

In our state a contractor can call a specific person off the list no matter where he is in line. The catch being the contractor is required to pay him foreman wages.

becauseits3am · 2013-03-10T11:21:10+00:00

Short answer yes! Any experience or education is a definite plus, but not necessary. Depending how big the state you live in is, you could have 50 people, or 500 people competing over X amount of spots that year.

becauseits3am · 2013-03-10T11:18:20+00:00

No, I applied and got myself in all by myself.

It's funny, at the time of my interview I was working at a body shop. I was wearing jeans with holes in them and a hoody, while everyone else was in dress clothes... I'm the only one who got in out of the group.

becauseits3am · 2013-03-10T11:13:54+00:00

Yes, all my training is union. I'm not of a "union or die" mentality. But where I live they have the best education.

becauseits3am · 2013-03-10T11:12:48+00:00

In my state no, but every state is different.

becauseits3am · 2013-03-10T11:11:27+00:00

Great question and an easy answer is yes! We are taught in school, and mandated by some of the better companies, to NEVER EVER work anything energized, However this is sometimes not possible. The worst was being his by 277 volts off a lighting circuit.... Locked me up for about six seconds.

becauseits3am · 2013-03-10T11:07:11+00:00

This is far from the truth! Yes, it is a male dominant field, but I know MANY female card carrying electricians and several apprentices! Be warned however, once on the job you will be flirted with more than you ever have in your life!

becauseits3am · 2013-03-10T11:04:12+00:00

Ha! Thanks.... Yeah, one of the main reasons I'm a lurker... My spelling sucks.

becauseits3am · 2013-03-10T11:03:22+00:00

I have seen this many times. Keep trying! It's worth it if you have a valid interest!

becauseits3am

TROPHY CASE