How long is to long?

[rustyryan34]

I just had a couple questions for everyone,

How old you are?

How long have you worked in the electrical field?

Do you work for someone or own you own company?

I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field?

[mdshunk]

I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field?about 150, or until I die. Whichever comes first.

[SiddMartin]

I am 27, been in the field for 5 years, and want to stay in the trade, however, I do not want to stay in the field as I believe the ware & tare will take a toll on one's body. I work for a company that has about 15 lead guys in the field.

edit to answer question: I want to be outta the field by 35 or so?

also edit: would stay in field if self-employed

[chris kennedy]

How old you are?
48

How long have you worked in the electrical field?
20+ years?

Do you work for someone or own you own company?
No interest in my own business. Others can spend their days chasing money.

I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field?
Until they pry the kleins from my cold dead hands.

[brian john]

How old you are?

55 soon to be 56 with luck.

How long have you worked in the electrical field?

38 years 28 days

Do you work for someone or own you own company?

I have been in business 24-25 years and have partners. Do not ask how 3 men stay partners this long.

I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field?

I will not be retiring, I will work till they have to pull my 9" Klein's from my hands (or hopefully my kayak paddle).

[khixxx]

How old you are? 28

How long have you worked in the electrical field? 2 year tech school. 8 years field.

Do you work for someone or own you own company? I'm a traveling tech. I work for multiple employers. I just formed an LLC we'll see how that goes.

I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field? Long as I can.

[George Stolz]

I am 28, been in the field for six years. I hope to go to college and persue engineering someday soon, as I don't think I'll hold up to field work exceedingly well in the long run. If I never get around to that, I'll probably be in the field indefinitely. :)

I can't envision owning my own company - as Chris Kennedy said, I enjoy not having to chase down the money.

[roger]

I just had a couple questions for everyone,

How old you are?

53

How long have you worked in the electrical field?

35 years

Do you work for someone or own you own company? Project Manager for a pretty good sized company, but I do have a company registered in my name and license

I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field? Well, I pretty much left the field 10 years ago when I became a PM and I do miss being in the field.

Roger

[cadpoint]

How old you are??
51 How long have you worked in the electrical field??
18 years, I just found a pay stub for 1990' gezz & I started as a summer full time job, between teaching...
15 on the drafting board
Do you work for someone or own you own company??
I presently work for a company.
I had my own company unrelated once... the name remains.
I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field? Well, they keep raising the retirement age. But I will take into consideration any appropriate offers.

The numbers didn't add up, lol

[EBFD6]

How old you are?
29


How long have you worked in the electrical field?
10 years


Do you work for someone or own you own company?
I work as a commercial/Industrial service tech for a mid size (70ish field personnel) electrical contractor, I am a 40 hr/week kind of guy and could not deal with the amount of time involved with running my own business, I value my off time way too much!


I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field?
This is the big question I ask myself everyday. I don't want to do this job forever, but I don't see myself being able to sit in the office everyday either. I don't want the responsibility of PM or estimator.

I think another 10 or 15 years of this will be about all I can handle.

I think I would like to do something a little less physical and a little more technical like PLC programing work, maybe even working for a GE or SQ D or something like that.

[growler]

I just had a couple questions for everyone,



How old? 54

How long in the field? One form or another since 18 but not always construction. Military, Maintenance, 24 years construction.

Work or own? Owner

How long do I plan on staying in the field? Until death, loss of health or win the lottery. I don't think I have bought a ticket in the last year so my odds are real long.

One comment: there are ways of slowing down without leaving the field, service work is not near as hard as heavy construction. Even a foremans job is much easier than being a grunt in the ditch.

[wirebender]

I just had a couple questions for everyone,

How old you are?

54

How long have you worked in the electrical field?

Since 1979

Do you work for someone or own you own company?

Have owned my own company, currently working for an old friend who started out working for me.

I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field?


A couple more days of 104+ degree weather here and the question will be moot.:D

[brian john]

One comment: there are ways of slowing down without leaving the field, service work is not near as hard as heavy construction

I was 17 when I started in the trade shortly after my 18th birthday I figured this out, it was 22 degrees and starting to snow on the deck with 25 mile an hour winds. Spent 2 years deciding how to make this happen.

[cadpoint]

... Spent 2 years deciding how to make this happen.

& We all see now know that you are truely a quick study! :rolleyes:

[growler]

I hope to go to college and persue engineering someday soon.

George you will make a great engineer, I have never worked with one yet that could spell. They are good at math.:grin: :grin:

[brantmacga]

I just had a couple questions for everyone,

How old you are?

How long have you worked in the electrical field?

Do you work for someone or own you own company?

I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field?


25

10

self employed

28 (if not sooner)

[George Stolz]

George you will make a great engineer, I have never worked with one yet that could spell. They are good at math.:grin: :grin:
I didn't even notice, good call. :D

[chris kennedy]

I was 17 when I started in the trade shortly after my 18th birthday
I would be interested in hearing more about the secrets of time travel.

[rustyryan34]

25

10

self employed

28 (if not sooner)



Leaving the field at 28?
What job are you planning on getting into?


Im 25 and had been working in the field for 5 years for someone else. But i still dont know what i want to do.

[don_resqcapt19]

57
in the trade for 35 years
project manager for medium sized company ~8 million per year...same company since day one
will work until 65 or so if I am able

[360Youth]

I just had a couple questions for everyone,

How old you are?

37 (as of yesterday :grin: )

I just had a couple questions for everyone,

How long have you worked in the electrical field?

2 years in high school. 12 years currently.

I just had a couple questions for everyone,

Do you work for someone or own you own company?

I have been licensed since '99 and changed over my license to the company I work for now about 5 years ago. No real desire to venture out on my own. Things are working well now.

I just had a couple questions for everyone,
I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field?

Tough one to answer. I love the field work and don't really want to do anything else unless that involves communicating to a crew by confrence call from the back nine. :grin: I do worry about the toll our trade takes on the body and aging comes faster the older you get. :wink:

[ItsHot]

I am so old that I do not buy green bananas anymore!:grin: I have been working since I was 13. I use to think that I worked for myself,:confused: Now I just think that I work for the big oil companies!!:mad:, and a lot of people that are smarter than me because they have watched a few home repair shows!:roll: When do I plan to retire?? I will get back with you on that one!:grin:

[cadpoint]

Leaving the field at 28?
What job are you planning on getting into?


Im 25 and had been working in the field for 5 years for someone else. But i still dont know what i want to do.
They have a plan, if your don't have a plan, you plan to fail.

Its never to late of a formal education, I went back to school at 27.
Granted it was only a two year thing but hey, they can't take it from me either.

One makes there own History in this Life, finding the tools to make history thats always the problem - Jude

[peter d]

I'm 29, did my first electrical "side job" when I was 14 (got paid to install recessed lighting, chandeliers, fixtures, change devices from white to ivory, to Decora, etc) and been doing electrical work ever since (summers in between school at first, working for local EC's) I wanted to start a business last year but the plans fell through....I doubt it's ever going to happen.

I presently work for a small EC. My plan is not to be doing electrical work by this time next year. I'm hoping to land a job at a Poco.

[rustyryan34]

They have a plan, if your don't have a plan, you plan to fail.

Its never to late of a formal education, I went back to school at 27.
Granted it was only a two year thing but hey, they can't take it from me either.

One makes there own History in this Life, finding the tools to make history thats always the problem - Jude

I am in school right now, i am in my 4th year of my apprenticeship, i just dont know if i want to stay with my company and get into office work or project manager or go out on my own.

[jmsbrush]

31 years old, started out in 1998, jw lic in 2001, 2002 topped out, Ec for almost 1 year. Sometimes I feel like I'm going backwards but I really want some steak

[tyha]

14 years -
went form industrial helper to large commercial PM. For the last 4 have been with my own comp.
the last 2 years where I was in management for a large ec was the worst. I feel for all that are currently in that position.
I guess the plan is to eventually be less involved over time and eventually it will run without me. Thats funny. I dont know I think i will be satisfied when I actually give my kids the chance to take the reins. If they dont they just dont but I think that will be a great milestone.

[mdshunk]

My plan is not to be doing electrical work by this time next year. I'm hoping to land a job at a Poco.The municipal electric utility in my area is hiring for a ground hand at this very moment. That's how most people start. About the only way around that is to go to lineman's college, which are few and far between. I know that MetEd, in PA, is so disparate that they're paying for guys to go to lineman's school. Get a wage to work for them as a trainee and they pay for the school too. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal.

[benaround]

I'm 58, I started in the trade in 1967 for one dollar / hour for a med. sized

comm/indust electrical contrator.

Got my Mass. licence at 21, got Mass. Master licence at 25

Was in business for 15 years, had about 30 guys on payroll at peak times.

Moved to AZ. worked as foreman and estimator for a few shops.

Now I work in the field every day doing ground-up comm/indust projects.

Right now it's hot in Az. 112 deg today.

If I stop working I'll never go back, so I keep going. and I like it!!

[stickboy1375]

How old you are?
33


How long have you worked in the electrical field?
15


Do you work for someone or own you own company?
Employee

I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field?

Till death do us part... But I'm actually working on winning the lottery.

[augie47]

64
in the trade since I started working (illegally) as a "helper" at 16.
worked industrial many years, contracted, foreman for others and now
inspect.
I'll quit when someone pays my medical bills for me :-)

[360Youth]

I started in the trade in 1967 for one dollar / hour for a med. sized

comm/indust electrical contrator.

We just had our grass cut while we get the mower fixed and they charge a dollar / minute. :grin:

[benaround]

We just had our grass cut while we get the mower fixed and they charge a dollar / minute. :grin:

Maybe I should start cutting grass, that's more than I make now!!

[Minuteman]

I just had a couple questions for everyone,

How old you are? 48

How long have you worked in the electrical field? 21 Was an industrial maintenance man before that.

Do you work for someone or own you own company? Someone else, but I have owned my own - debt collections stink!

I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field? 45 - my plan has failed. :grin:

[brantmacga]

Leaving the field at 28?
What job are you planning on getting into?
. . . . .

85% managerial, 15% fishing.

[cadpoint]

I am in school right now, i am in my 4th year of my apprenticeship, i just dont know if i want to stay with my company and get into office work or project manager or go out on my own.
This is nothing to Just Finishing ! ... Believe me, finishing this is not an end at all, this will only open other doors if you so choose.

... Just watch out for the next turn in your life. :) you'll never know the other direction you could have gone once you make a choice ! Hopefully it will be the correct choice for you and your concerns in the big picture that is Life ...

[jayrad1122]

How old you are? 18

How long have you worked in the electrical field? One and a half year working, one and a half years in votech

Do you work for someone or own you own company? I work for a small contractor mostly service, I also have my own business (legal sidework for when I quit in two weeks for college) :grin:

I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field? Lets say 60, but hey thats 42 years away! I would like to still be in the field when I have a large company, but we'll see how that turns out!:confused:

[iwire]

How old you are?

44 years

How long have you worked in the electrical field?

27 years, I was working in trade at 17.

Do you work for someone or own you own company?

Employee, never interested in running a company.

I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field?

Till I bank enough dough to stop or hit the lottery.

Most likely that means I will be working into my 60s.

[don_resqcapt19]

A recent editorial in "Engineering News Record" magazine said that the average age of people in the construction industry from labors on up to the engineers and senior managers is 54. The average of the group that posted here is 41.5. The main point of the editorial was that we, as an industry, need to find ways to attract people to this industry.

[brian john]

Chris I was 17 when I started and shortly after my 18 B-day (about 5 months later) I realized construction electrician was not my path.

[LarryFine]

How old you are?
I'm 53.

How long have you worked in the electrical field?I did my first service upgrade when I was 16. 53 - 16 = 37.

Do you work for someone or own you own company?The latter, but I often wonder . . .

I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field?Forever.

[brian john]

Maybe I should start cutting grass, that's more than I make now!!


When Iwas in Middle School I mowed lawns for a GC, 1.50 a yard, (we supplied mower and gas). I just bought gas to mow my yard $20.00, just for the gas.

[hillbilly]

How old you are?....57

How long have you worked in the electrical field?.....35+ years

Do you work for someone or own you own company?....Own

I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field?
Until the postman stops coming to my house.

I didn't realize that there were so many people close to my age on this site.
It's good to know that I'm not the only one getting "long in the tooth" that still has to work.

steve

[Brady Electric]

I'm a day late and a dollar short answering these questions according to every-ones answers

Age 59

34 years in trade which started in 1974 after after spending 6 years active USMC and tour in Nam

30 years self employed using someone as my qualified person until I got my state license in 1984 after working for other companies to get experience

Retire what's that?
At my age now I have slowed down to working just one man and don't take on big jobs anymore
I love electrical work and enjoy working everyday and always intend to do so
By slowing down my work load I make enough money to get buy and spend time working with horses which is my other interest
Which would only be possible with my wife working and having good benefits

I have six acres, a tractor, two dogs, one house cat, one barn cat, three goats, one rooster, one hen to keep him happy and get one egg a day, and last but not least five horses
No matter what kind of day I have when I turn down my driveway its like driving into heaven's gate
As soon as all the animals hear my 2000 diesel dully they all come running and say hello in there own way

I would like to thank rustyman34 for asking these questions and to everyone that answered
Seeing the stats on our trade is interesting but its also good to learn more about everyone that you trade conservation with on a daily basis

Someone once said if you enjoy your job its not like work
That's how I feel

Hope all of you have a GREAT DAY
Semper Fi Buddy

[j_erickson]

I'm 39. Started working with one of my father's crews before high school and worked all through high school and college.

Been doing it full time since 21 after graduateing with a EE degree. So it's either 18 years, 27 years, or something in between.

I've ownded and run the company for 10 years.

I'm in the field now after spending a few years not working with the tools. I plan on being in the field until I retire. That doesn't bother me because if I can't stay in good enough shape to be in the field, then I won't be in good enough shape to enjoy what I like to do for recreation.

[tryinghard]

I just had a couple questions for everyone,

How old you are?

How long have you worked in the electrical field?

Do you work for someone or own you own company?

I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field?

45
21
Employee currently, also own company for 8 years
I actually just figured out what I want to do when I grow up so I think I’ll stay into my 70’s 8-)

[SmithBuilt]

How old you are? 40

How long have you worked in the electrical field? 15

Do you work for someone or own you own company? My own company, and yes I get weary of chasing the money. Overall I think it's worth it, but there are times if the right job offer come along....

I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field? I would like to continue working in some capacity until I'm not capable.

[cowboyjwc]

50 (in two weeks)

31 years (12 in the field, 19 as an inspector)

Never cared to own my own business, though I've had my license since 1990.

Yeah, right:mad: If I work until I'm 70 I can retire at 96.72% of my pay at the time.

[charlie b]

A recent editorial in "Engineering News Record" magazine said that the average age of people in the construction industry from labors on up to the engineers and senior managers is 54.
And there seems to be quite a number of forum members that exact age, and quite a few more who are close. Add my name to the "54 club." :grin:

I've been an engineer for 33 years, but a PE for only the last 21 of those. I plan to retire before the age of reason departs, or whenever I can afford to become a professional photographer, whichever comes first.

[charlie b]

George you will make a great engineer, I have never worked with one yet that could spell.
Ten yoo heven't werked wiff mee, cuzz Iz gud et spallen. ;)

I iz gud et maff two. Semone onze toll me dat "pie ar skwarr." But I new dat waz not rit. Pie ar roond. Kornbred are skwarr. :grin:

[BryKey]

How old you are? 44

How long have you worked in the electrical field? 10 years, Retired from Law Enforcement.

Do you work for someone or own you own company? Someone else.

I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field? I have been out of the field for 3 years. Spent 2 years in the Safety department before being laid off then Hired as a Training Manager with my current employer.

[fisherelectric]

I'm 54 with 35 years in the trade. Run my own outfit since 1980 and only regret that I didn't really get my act together til in my late thirties...so it goes. Don't work in the field too much anymore but do enjoy when I do. Still like buyng new tools and using them. Retire? I'd be thrilled with a 2 week vacation.

[macmikeman]

Almost 53. Thirty years in the trade. I did retire once after buying and selling houses in Hawaii. It got boring pretty quick. Less than a year later I started bidding housewiring jobs again. But now I force myself to take 4 weeks a year vacation at least, even if I just stay at home.

[ramsy]

Now 42, got late start 10yrs ago after Military & college. Will contract or employ where social security numbers are still wanted; unless you guys stop showing me how.

The municipal electric utility in my area is hiring for a ground hand at this very moment. That's how most people start. ..they pay for the school too. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal.

Ground work is doable at age 40. Tools take the beating, clothes take the weather, I took orders & laughed out load at myself in front of others. Advanced quickly for reliability. May have stayed, but wasn't with POCO, no public policy, "At Will" suffers layoff. If POCO uses (PERS) Public Employees Retirement, be sure your OK with losing all contributions to social security retirement.

No matter what kind of day I have when I turn down my driveway its like driving into heaven's gate. As soon as all the animals hear my 2000 diesel dully they all come running and say hello in there own way

Do you think the animals would mind if I borrowed your truck, and put on your hat for a few days?

[iwire]

My plan is not to be doing electrical work by this time next year. I'm hoping to land a job at a Poco.

Pete, you are aware the POCO works 24/7 right? :grin:

[electricalperson]

I just had a couple questions for everyone,

How old you are?

How long have you worked in the electrical field?

Do you work for someone or own you own company?

I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field?

im 24

had my license 2 years, went to trade school for 4, completed 4 year apprenticeship. if you count trade school then its 10 years in the field.

i work for someone and hopefully soon ill start my business up when i get the money in place.

i plan on working in the field until the electrical gods tell me to quit :grin:

[peter d]

Pete, you are aware the POCO works 24/7 right? :grin:

Quite aware..with very good pay and benefits to boot. :cool:

However, I'm not looking for a line position. I'm interested in a field engineer position or something similar.

[peter d]

i work for someone and hopefully soon ill start my business up when i get the money in place.


I'll finance your business. However, there is a catch. You have to do all the work and you have to do what I tell you. :D

[Strahan]

I'm 28 soon to be 29. My senior year of high school I attended tech school and landed a job in an industrial setting through co-op. Had to get parents to sign all necessary papers because only was 17. Worked at same plant while I attended college. Since then worked for 2 other plants and now have landed my dream job and have been with it for 5years as a technician plcs and all that good process controls including all the 3phase and motor control stuff. Residential never really excited me. Yes I have done plenty of it but now have an office job and still get action in the field (the best of both worlds) I like the design and trouleshooting that goes along with my job now. I will retire when uncle sam says I can I guess.

[Dennis Alwon]

How long is too long

Well, I will ask you this-- Are any of these too long?

http://www.geocities.com/stretchedsock105/giraffee.JPG http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/staticfiles/NGS/Shared/StaticFiles/animals/images/primary/african-elephant2.jpg http://citychick.typepad.com/photos/places/stingray.jpg


They are as long as necessary to survive

[JohnJ0906]

How old you are? 39

How long have you worked in the electrical field? 18 years

Do you work for someone or own you own company? Employee

I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field? Don't really know. I did just change from a primarily construction company to one that is primarily service. Definitely less physically demanding.

[guschash]

How old?

62

How long in trade ? 24 years

BA in business, Apprentice school 4yrs. 2yrs. more for cross training

Tried being retired 6 years ago, that lasted 6 months. I joy the work and plan on to keep working. I have been a contractor for 5 years and have 4 other electricans that retired with me, work for me. We work when we want and canoe, hike, bike and fish and vacation with grandkids. Works out great.

[Brady Electric]

Ramsy, some days the animals wouldn't notice
Guschagh according to this survey I think I'm the third oldest on the form and now you see why I don't won't to retire, just have learned how to make my business my retirement, wouldn't have it any other way.
How long do you think this thread will continue?
I think this form shows we all work hard and don't have much of a home life it seems but I wouldn't have it any other way
Content in the mountains, Gods country
Semper Fi Buddy

[ramsy]

A recent editorial in "Engineering News Record" magazine said that the average age of people in the construction industry from labors on up to the engineers and senior managers is 54.

just have learned how to make my business my retirement, wouldn't have it any other way.

My Business school texts described the toughest marketing audience as those over 40 yrs. When I read this I figured most marketing is BS, so naturally the first group to recognize it is the least gullible.

I now believe, when my co-workers are rarely represented by people over 40-yrs, much less 50, something is wrong; the group most capable of recognizing exploit has either decided to leave, or someone else is making that decision for them.

[Sierrasparky]

45- 20+ - owner-???????

[jnsane84]

I just had a couple questions for everyone,

How old you are?

How long have you worked in the electrical field?

Do you work for someone or own you own company?

I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field?

1. 36
2. 16 years
3. I work for a large company
4. until retirement (or death depending upon the cost of living):grin:

[220/221]

How old you are?

56


How long have you worked in the electrical field?

Started in 73 or 74 but was off and on for a long time trying to find a job I liked.


Do you work for someone or own you own company?

My current business is 15 years old.


I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field?

If I never saw another piece of wire or inspector in my life I'd be happy. I almost made it into retirement but the crappy economy brought me back.

[mattsilkwood]

im 29 ive been in the trade off and on for ten years been doing electrical exclusively for the last five. ive never had the desire to own my own company. ill be in the trade till they stop collecting taxes:grin: . somebody said earlier that if you love what you do it dosent seem like work. i agree

[Former Jeanyus]

I just had a couple questions for everyone,

How old you are?

How long have you worked in the electrical field?

Do you work for someone or own you own company?

I was just wondering till what age you plan on still working out in the field?

<attempts to do math in head... subtract birth year from what year is it?>
umm 52 :)
<counts with fingers, removes shoes, counts toes...argh> 34 years :-?

work for a medium size contractor, but do have my own contractor license

My plan was to retire early and live a life of luxury and excess with fast boats, fast cars, etc. etc. So far, I have a long way to go... should be able to have a pretty good pension at 63. But will still probably do some work so I don't lose what marbles I have left, assuming there will still be marbles.;)

[derf48]

I'm in the 54 club.

My first summer of work in the electrical field was when I was 13. Have worked full time since graduating high school at 17, including the 7 years I was a full time college student.

Always worked as a employee. In '92 became an inspector, then the last 4 years have worked for a fortune 500 company as their corporate code "expert". Started my own education company in the late 80's and do about 30 or so seminars a year on the side. Have 3 kids in private colleges!

I planned on working forever, but the last 7 months have been battling cancer, I'm winning, but had lots of down time and have started to actually enjoy doing nothing once in a while.