General Help for a new journeyman

[i_blew_up_my_linemans]

I just journeyed out this last December, and as of now im feeling a bit under prepared. I was never really happy with my apprenticeship, the class was sub par at best, but i made due and passed my test fairly easy the first try. I know im lacking in calculations and just general know how( i know that will come eventually) . I start monday at a new shop, with my own apprentice and a van. Im basically just wondering if anyone has tips for me, maybe some good books to read?

 

[E16]

One of my first bosses always said. "Make the best decision you can at the time." In my case it always made be slow down and look at all the options first before deciding on how to proceed.

Are you going to be doing service call work?

 

[just the cowboy]

Things will come in time

Things will come in time

First: asking for help here is one of the best ways to improve.
Second: treat your apprentice right explain things the best you can.
Third : DON'T guess find the correct answer

Good luck

 

[infinity]

The owner of this forum has some excellent resources many of them, like this forum, are free. You can check out his stuff here:

http://www.mikeholt.com/

 

[Strathead]

I just journeyed out this last December, and as of now im feeling a bit under prepared. I was never really happy with my apprenticeship, the class was sub par at best, but i made due and passed my test fairly easy the first try. I know im lacking in calculations and just general know how( i know that will come eventually) . I start monday at a new shop, with my own apprentice and a van. Im basically just wondering if anyone has tips for me, maybe some good books to read?

Were you in a union apprenticeship or an open? For the record I am non-union and self taught, but have always believed the Union apprenticeship to be superior. Just curious.

Tell us about where you felt the courses let you down. What do you think they should have done better?

 

[zbang]

Keep studying the code book, the NEC handbook, and even things like "Soares on grounding". I don't know how much electrical theory you've had, but there are too many electricians out there that don't know much. Troubleshooting is much easier when you do.

Past that, and these should be obvious--
Never pass up a chance to learn something.
Don't be a jerk, even if the customer is.
Try not to make the same mistake twice.

Oh, and keep reading the forums here .

 

[electricalist]

For every time you felt like theres was more to learn in this field and you werent getting it at the school,,.take a moment and be thankful,,,because it sent you here.
You have arrived.
There are amazing minds here who answer the same questions over and over until guys like me get it right.
You will learn to be more than just an ekectrician here.

 

[electric_cal]

I just journeyed out this last December, and as of now im feeling a bit under prepared. I was never really happy with my apprenticeship, the class was sub par at best, but i made due and passed my test fairly easy the first try. I know im lacking in calculations and just general know how( i know that will come eventually) . I start monday at a new shop, with my own apprentice and a van. Im basically just wondering if anyone has tips for me, maybe some good books to read?

Congratulations on breaking out!! :thumbsup: Now you will begin the journey, and it never ends. As an apprentice I was always told that when you breakout is when you really begin to learn. I found it to be very true. Nothing like being on your own and troubleshooting a major problem, for you to find out what you know vs what you don't know. The learning never stops in our trade.

I would say that you are already showing yourself to be more then ready for what is ahead of you by being on this forum and asking the question you asked. The knowledge base to be found here is phenomenal!! As far as books go, what type of work are you going into? Service calls, or construction?

 

[jeremysterling]

Always inspect your helper's work. Even when he said he did it right.

Find out who in your shop is good at design. When you are doing your take-off on a project, give him a call and talk over the details.

Turn off the circuit before blowing up your linemans. Seriously.