Is it possible to be at a crossroads for more than a year?

[jaylectricity]

WARNING: There is a lot of reading to follow. Don't feel obligated but I would really appreciate it if you read my story and I would feel in debt to you if you have any comments to offer.

I'm going to open myself up to you even though you are mostly strangers. I have appreciated this forum because it is really the only place on the internet where I actually believe that you represent yourselves as who you are. I have seen so many different kinds of people and the variety of attitudes that come with it on this forum. That is why I am going to say the following.

In 1999 I moved from Albuquerque, NM to Massachusetts. I was born up here in Massachusetts but to make ends meet my father joined the Air Force in 1979 (I was 4) which led us across the country. I did most of my growing up in Denver, CO and ABQ, NM. Life was stale in the desert of New Mexico. I had an opportunity to do electrical work for a short time but the work was inconsistent. I got a job as assistant manager at a restaurant where I worked my way up to Asst. Supervisor of 7 restaurants across Albuquerque. I wasn't satisfied so when I moved to Mass. I wanted to go back and try electrical work.

I worked for my uncle installing carpets/tile and told him I was interested in becoming an electrician. One day we did some work for an electrician and I mentioned to him that I was interested. He told me he might be looking to hire somebody soon because of a large job he thought he was going to land. He landed the job and called me to hire me. Personally I don't think there could have been a better fit between boss and employee. He taught me everything that he knew, he introduced me to customers as his equal. He even learned a few things from me.

As soon as I had fulfilled my school and field experience I took my Journeyman's test in November of 2002. Not to brag -I'm a pretty good test taker- but the test was so easy that I never even had a doubt that I would have my license by the end of the day. My boss was happy for me and we talked about the future. He told me that he wouldn't be able to afford me as a licensed electrician but he asked that we finish a major job at a restaurant/function hall before I went on my way. Technically it was illegal for me to work for him since he doesn't have a Master's license but hopefully you won't hold that against me. I just wanted to continue to be loyal because that is the type of guy I am.

So we finished that job and after that I started working for myself. I had started to gain a few customers on side jobs (I provided full-disclosure to my boss) so I had a little jump-off. To be free from slavery was awesome. Don't get me wrong, I'm not putting down employees by saying they are slaves. I think there are varying degrees of slavery and many of those degrees are acceptable to me and to society. As long as you are making a living and have some extra to enjoy a few things in life I don't see anything wrong with having a job.

I went along for a while until I had a really slow winter which caused me many problems. So I got a job with a commercial/industrial outfit. It was interesting, although waking up at 5am to get to the shop in Shrewsbury (1 hour drive) was a little difficult. I eventually quit that job because they couldn't give me even an hours notice on where to be. Some days I was to report to the shop but other days I was supposed to show up on the work site. The last straw was when I was waiting in a parking lot in Woburn trying to find out where I was supposed to be...I talked to them a bunch of times from 5am till noontime when they finally said, "Oh sorry, that's an overnight job, you need to be there at 10pm." Not easy to do when you were fresh and ready for work at 5am that day and didn't get the news until noon. I learned some cool things from them but I don't think $20 and hour for a licensed electrician is a good rate in Massachusetts.

I was able to work for myself for a while longer but again I had to recoup after a slow winter and I found a job working for a residential EC. He paid me $23 an hour with the knowledge that if I worked out well he would pay me more. Now understand at this time you might have called me a 'loser' because I didn't have the money to pay for a few 'essentials'. I had a speeding ticket that I couldn't pay. I didn't pay my car insurance so that was cancelled. In MA you get your driver's license suspended for not paying a ticket and if your insurance is cancelled your registration is cancelled as well. This led to me being 'let go' because my boss had a contract with Sears and Sears did background checks which led to him finding out about my suspended license. I am not looking to pass blame here, it was all my fault. But I'm human, just like you.

All in all though I was let go at the right time because my own work was starting to pick up again. That was two years ago. I am so slow right now and I think some of that has to do with my lack of advertising. I am always afraid to spend money on it when things are slim because I think, "What if that money goes to waste?" Some of it has to do with some of the GC's I've worked for because of their "hacky-nature" on some of the jobs. Usually I price the job based on the situation but then halfway through the contractor starts to cheap out and change the whole layout. Now you would say, "Change order...don't pay for his mistakes." But I guess I'm a little insecure because I'm usually living hand-to-mouth.

Don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed my freedom. I have been able to do things that my friends hate me for. Ok, they don't hate me because I pass my fortune on to them whenever I can but hopefully you understand what I mean. The problem is that I think I am going under. I'm sure I could coast along and find ways to make it work, but some of those ways would be illegal.

Thank you for reading this so far. I just wanted to give you a back story to my questions. I have been considering getting a job with another EC. Then I could go to school for my Master's and take a step further towards business freedom. One problem I'm worried about is that I don't really have much of a resume or a good work history because I've been an employee all of two months in the last 5 years.

I have considered joining the union. But I've heard that Union work in Boston has been slow since the Big Dig has slowed down. (I don't mean to incite union vs non-union because that is against the rules so PM me any thoughts on that) *George's Note: Do PM, don't discuss publicly, please.*

I've thought about getting a job with an HVAC outfit. Then I could learn something new, use my electrical knowledge and gain experience. I think it would be cool to learn about those massive A/C units that cool a supermarket or movie theatre.

Maybe I'll get a student loan and go back to college. A business degree? Electrical Engineering? Something that interests me and improves my life. I never in a million years thought I would want to go to school for business, but obviously I'm not sure what I'm looking for right now.

Have any of you encountered anything that I have just written? What did you do? What do you think I should do? What experience or resources can you provide me? I won't hold any of you to anything, I'm just looking for ideas here. Feel free to converse with each other about these things.

Thanks for hearing me out, and thanks in advance to any and all comments you may have. I hope that I have not offended the spirit of this forum, and if I did I am really sorry. I just want to get some insight from people that don't have anything to gain or lose by my decisions.

Thanks again,

Jay

 

[George Stolz]

Jay, quit whining.

I'd recommend applying around anywhere, if you're going under. Stay above water and preserve your credit history.

That's about all I got.

Edit to add:

I have appreciated this forum because it is really the only place on the internet where I actually believe that you represent yourselves as who you are.

Believe what you will, I am actually a 12-year-old girl from Cleveland - you finally broke me.

Stay upbeat.

 

[satcom]

Many want to go on their own for various reasons, some have the mistaken idea, their boss is racking in the dough, and getting rich on their backs, and some just want to be on their own, to make their own decisions on how things are done, and what direction they want to follow, and others just jump in without checking out the experience, and funding required along with all the pitfalls every business has. One of the pitfalls is the business cycle, in contracting you need to be able to make it thru, not only the peak cycle, but survive in the down cycle, the cycles in construction vary depending on the economic conditions, and general market conditions. In the past some of the down cycles have lasted for years, and contractors not positioned either long term contracts or have the finincal means to ride it out, go under in a short period of time.
The northeast is going thru both, industrial plant closings, and a housing market bust, which helps push the cycle in a downward direction, so as you said "I went along for a while until I had a really slow winter which caused me many problems." expect to have slow times in business, it's why an employeer includes non productive time, and lost wages in his operating budget.

In my business, when things turn downward, my employees pay remains the same, my wage goes down, so you may want to consider that working as an employee, in this present northeast market may be a good thing for a while, then when the cycle picks up, rethink your options.

Just a note on the electrical contracting business, in my area over a 20 year period only about 20% of the EC's that decided to go in business 20 years ago, are still in business, I am not sure but I think a slot machine offers better odds.

 

[satcom]

Jay, quit whining.

I'd recommend applying around anywhere, if you're going under. Stay above water and preserve your credit history.

That's about all I got.

Edit to add:

Believe what you will, I am actually a 12-year-old girl from Cleveland - you finally broke me.

Stay upbeat.

I agree! He can always review his options later

 

[chris kennedy]

I am actually a 12-year-old girl from Cleveland - you finally broke me.

George, If you shave I'll take you to a movie.

I really feel for all the contractors. I count my blessings.

 

[cadpoint]

You never know ...

You never know ...

"What you want to do with your Life" ...

The bigger problem is you never know the other side of that coin at you Ride with.

Gezz, I'm not going to bore you with a conversation of a tore up Resume'...

It sounds like you've got the Electrician Itch, sounds like you know what your doing, sounds like you better stay with what you know...

How you go about it is will be your story Its all on you, wait let me go look in the mirror ...
:roll:

 

[electricmanscott]

Jay, I thought I saw someone on my rear view mirror on the road the carreer doom and financial ruin. Good to see I am not alone.

Anyway, I am the master at not following my own advice. I am always the first to offer my "wisdom" to those who need it wether they want it or not. The answer is always very clear to me when the issue, whatever it may be, applies to someone else. I tend to think very rationally (real word?) when thinking for others. But when it comes to myself it all goes out the window.

So, here's what I try to do when I have a problem. Look at it as if it was somebody elses problem. What would my advice for that person be? Then follow that advice.

In short if you're not really into the electrical scene anymore try something else. Better to give it a shot now and who knows it might be the best decision you ever make, rather than go through life wondering what if? I ask myself that very question everyday. :roll:

Hope you get something out of that mess you just read.

 

[Davis9]

If you want to advertise try the local paper for small $$$ and usually small jobs as well. Winter is usually a slow time for myself as well. 2 weeks before Christmas until 2 weeks after Christmas. It can get tough sometimes but if you hustle you could stay afloat.

Whatever you do don't do work for free. It does not help anyone including youself. If it gets bad look towards a good company that will pay the bills and provide some sort of retirement.

HVAC is a good thought, some of the larger HVAC companies pay well for Service Techs.


Tom

 

[jaylectricity]

Jay, quit whining.


Believe what you will, I am actually a 12-year-old girl from Cleveland - you finally broke me.

Stay upbeat.

Heh heh...thanks!

others just jump in without checking out the experience, and funding required along with all the pitfalls every business has.

Yeah, I believe I jumped in without experience.

Anyway, I am the master at not following my own advice. I am always the first to offer my "wisdom" to those who need it wether they want it or not.
...

Hope you get something out of that mess you just read.

Yes I did. In fact sometimes I know exactly what you mean.


Thanks so far guys...but by all means everyone else feel free to comment, I'd really appreciate it. Unless you are a 12 year old girl from Cleveland... in which case please send brownies.

 

[iwire]

in which case please send brownies.

LMAO

Good luck Jay, I really hope it gets better for you.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

The grass is never greener on the other side, it just looks that way from afar when your vision is impaired by such frustration at life.


What you need to try and do is collect your thoughts in as much of an orderly manner as is possible.
What do I like to do?
What are my obligations and responsibilities?
How do I get around to fulfiling those as soon as I can, so I can think more clearly?
How long will it take to clean up those responsiblities?
Do not be afraid to speak to those you are responsible to and tell them you have every intention to fulfill your obligations.

Think short term, middle term and long term...where do I want to go and when do I want to get there? Most likely that will be very difficult for you at this moment, as your mind may not be able to work there yet...hence you need to clear up your situation. Which most likely means working for someone, and taking on a second job, even if it means working in a restaurant as a second job (something you can offer to an employee as you have a history there).

I can tell you that a lot more people are going through what you are experiencing then you may believe...most get through it in time, some never do, it all depends on how hard you are willing to work to get there.
Always work with your mind thinking positively - PMA - positive mental attitude...it may take you some time to develop such a habit, but once you do, you will never loose it.

Some people seem to have it always go their way...some are very good at making great decisions, those are the minority. The other successful people (money is not the only sign of success) are very hard workers who are not afraid to step away from the path when necessary and take a chance...always positive in their mind that if the chance they are taking is not successful, they will find the right path.

I hope you get the sense that maybe I myself have been down your path

Good Luck and keep your chin up!!

 

[e57]

As one who works for a guy of whom I signed for his license - I'll say there is a lot of power in a steady pay check. Bills get paid, and no risk of loss, etc. But still a slave to money either way - they call it 'capitolism" and it requires CAPITOL. (Or at least good credit - but that can get you in trouble)

Not knowing you age, I would say there is nothing wrong with doing some buisiness course work at night while you still work the day. (At any age) It might help you figure out some of the things that you may have not been doing right in your own biz. Like 'supply and demand', marketing, contract compliance... ( A guy I worked with many years ago used to mutter these words to himself often, "Contracting is about Contracts". A lesson he continued to learn the hard way often...) As someone who grew up around E. Somerville/E.Cambridge I really don't know how anyone could survive through winter there - work going dormant for months of the year??? A drop in both supply and demand due to season. I can only assume that one would need to be flexible enough to exploit other markets of work like Maint. and Service until Construction came back into full swing. But those two are things you need to cultivate year round not just every Fall. Or you could just move to a more stable weather and work climate. It also sounds as if you have also learned what bad personel managment is about - maybe learn what good managment is...

So I guess what I'm saying is to stay flexible and learn more about how to preserve use of the knowledge you already have. And try to stay positive about it...

 

[quogueelectric]

every day is a struggle

every day is a struggle

You sound from your post like a little doom and gloom has set into your life.

Sometimes life is niether fair nor forgiving Sometmes timing is everything when things go wrong sometimes it seems like everything goes wrong. A simple wrong path can make the difference between success and failure.

I personally was always baffled by the attitudes of bosses towards you. until I became one myself and little by little I learned why they do the things that they do. They are in fact only human too.

Always assuming other people are being honest and fair like I was already taught. Only to find that there are a lot of backstabing weasels out there with thier own agendas those who rely on deception to make up for thier lack of talent.

To help you pull out of your rut I suggest that you work on the things that you are in control of and not waste any time and energy on the things that are out of your control as they will only bring you down with no recourse.

Maybe this ac contractor would be a good thing for you for a change of pace they allways seem to be busy and your electrical skills will help your value to this contractor. HVAC controls is a pretty nice gig I did it exclusively for a few years.

One last bit of advice that is a sure winner. Get to work on time Do what you are told and keep your mouth shut. It has been sucessful for me I have the biggest problem with the last one tho.........

 

[Joe R]

Man if i were u i would go back to working for an EC save some money go to school get things in order using the steady pay check and get my life back on track, it sounds to me like u want to go and be an EC but things did not or have not worked out, well don't make matters worse GET A STEADY JOB, SAVE SOME MONEY, when u feel like u have saved enough to at least get u thru a year or 2 of working for urself, (ur salary + operating cost) then u have finally done what u set out to do keep going but don't make matters worse by making matters worse, ie the ticket, suspended, license, doing things illegally as u mentioned, get up, splash some water in ur face, shave comb ur hair put on some clean clothes and go out and get ur life straight, remember the story of King David, you can do a lot of things it all depends how much u are willing to sacrafice.

 

[iwire]

As someone who grew up around E. Somerville/E.Cambridge I really don't know how anyone could survive through winter there - work going dormant for months of the year??? A drop in both supply and demand due to season. I can only assume that one would need to be flexible enough to exploit other markets of work like Maint. and Service until Construction came back into full swing.

Even those segments are slow for the weeks around Xmas and New Years.

Office and plant managers are in coast mode.

 

[e57]

You know what I mean Bob, about broadening your horizions.... Hopefully you'de be in coast mode too at the time.

 

[iwire]

You know what I mean Bob, about broadening your horizions.... Hopefully you'de be in coast mode too at the time.

Yes I do and it was a good point.

Just letting him know it all slows down at times....that is why I follow your advice.


I'll say there is a lot of power in a steady pay check. Bills get paid, and no risk of loss, etc

There are definitely times when the company is taking a loss but my pay remains steady.

 

[electricmanscott]

As someone who grew up around E. Somerville/E.Cambridge

Hey me too! Somerville resident 1970-1995, Product of Somerville Hospital and Somerville public Schools. Maybe that's my problem.

 

[e57]

Hey me too! Somerville resident 1970-1995, Product of Somerville Hospital and Somerville public Schools. Maybe that's my problem.

Apparently mine too!!! (I'll PM the full version of this post...)

My sister and I both left the state and years later recounted the lack of education we received there. She moved back there and teaches occasionally. (Sub's) She gets to hang out with our old teaches and says some still couldn't really care less. The seeds of anti-intellectualism start right there...

As it sounds like we are roughly the same age (37) - it's a possibility that we have met before?

Mark Heller

 

[electricmanscott]

Apparently mine too!!! (I'll PM the full version of this post...)


As it sounds like we are roughly the same age (37) - it's a possibility that we have met before?

Mark Heller

37 Exactly! Too wierd.