so after 4 months in the field...(remember me the apprentice)

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JONATHAN20

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Long time no talk guys. I hope everything been going well. Sorry I haven't been commenting or posting anything my evening are just packed on social level but anyway. After 4 months in the field I say ive been exposed to way more s*** than someone with 4 month experience is normally exposed to. For a one man operation his exposure is completely random. Mon we could be putting up flood lights tues - we could be at a factory running pipe. Septic pumps, well pumps, grounding pools, hot tubs, upgrades, everyday random "joe shmo dont how to do service calls" I hate driving ground rounds its the most pain in behind thing ive done. UF cable i hate as well. But i have familiarized myself very well with my boss's procedure on things i know when and where what size etc he needs something and its usually there before he asks for it. sometimes i bring it a tad bit to early and breaks my balls about it but what ever. But yeah I just wanted to let you guys know im still employed im learnin a lot. .....oh a couple more things to add things to add to the hate lists I had insulation especially midday for obvious reasons you know better than me that it sucks up there, I hate homeowners that stare at you spying i should say while you work, i hate utility boxes, when the previous elect left 2 inches of wire a box ill come up with more and post.
 
Welcome to the real world:grin: Just think you could be standing in one place all day putting screws in something as it passes by on the conveyor. You may not realises it not but you are getting the best education you can if you plan on staying in the elect. trade. You are touching on residential, commercial and learning what a pita some customers are. I have talked with guys who do nothing but commercial work and when you ask them a residential question they give you the ''I have no clue" look. This is all they do and are not exposed to anything else. The more exposure you get to the different types the better off you will be in the long run. Good luck hang in there.
 
so after 4 months in the field

so after 4 months in the field

I agree you hit pay dirt
That's how I started and it has served me will for 34 years
Some electricians get stuck just running pipe, just pulling wire, just wiring houses, YOU REALLY DID HIT PAYDIRT
Semper Fi Buddy
 
JONATHAN20 said:
For a one man operation his exposure is completely random. Mon we could be putting up flood lights tues - we could be at a factory running pipe. Septic pumps, well pumps, grounding pools, hot tubs, upgrades, everyday random "joe shmo dont how to do service calls"
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Cool, I was the first employee of a one man shop and like your boss this guy would do anything. I learned a ton. Heck he and I helped swap a diesel engine in a fishing boat for one customer. :cool:

Now I see apprentices get started with the large companies I work for and the training they get is good, in some ways much better, but it is very selective. They end up leaning only certain types of work. I would be willing to bet we have guys that did their entire apprenticeship building big box stores.
 
Your very lucky to start with a one man shop. I started that way and found that your going to be pushed a little harder but the rewards are 10 fold.
 
I agree that you're lucky to be exposed to all different kinds of work. I was a helper in the same kind of small shop, and I learned everything. Well, enough to continue learning after that.

I had a guy who always worked commercial. He never knew that recessed lights had separate KO's and clamps for NM cable. I caught him using 1/2" KO's and 2-screw-and-locknut clamps.
 
LarryFine said:
I agree that you're lucky to be exposed to all different kinds of work. I was a helper in the same kind of small shop, and I learned everything. Well, enough to continue learning after that.

I had a guy who always worked commercial. He never knew that recessed lights had separate KO's and clamps for NM cable. I caught him using 1/2" KO's and 2-screw-and-locknut clamps.
Click to expand...

Like these?


6102016.jpg


What's wrong with using those in a 1/2' KO?
 
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