Hello I've been lurking these forums for a little while now and love the site. I've noticed some journeyman that really know there stuff and then I've also seen some that just didn't have their stuff together. I'm only in my second year of apprenticship and would like to know by year what sorts of things should I know? just so I can make sure I'm on track and also what sort of things I may need to spend a little extra time on.
what should I know by years
- Thread starter tim123
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westelectric
Senior Member
- Location
- westchester county, NY
Know how to appreciate your job. Some apprentices dont. Know how to work safe. Know how to respect your boss and others working around you. Know how to ask questions when you dont understand something. Know how to work overtime, bosses like that, but know that family time is very important. Know that this forum is very, very informative. Know all this and everything else will come natural, codes etc. I am new to this forum too. Welcome.
BAHTAH
Senior Member
- Location
- United States
What you should know..
What you should know..
Probably the most important lesson you can learn is the one where you realize that after your apprenticeship is completed you will have just learned the basics. This industry is under constant change and the moment you stop learning is the moment you fall behind.
What you should know..
Probably the most important lesson you can learn is the one where you realize that after your apprenticeship is completed you will have just learned the basics. This industry is under constant change and the moment you stop learning is the moment you fall behind.
76nemo
Senior Member
- Location
- Ogdensburg, NY
Well, how do you feel?
Well, how do you feel?
Let me ask you this Tim,...are you entering the field for a career and a money maker or do you have the lust for the energy? What I mean by that is,... I see alot of guys who leave the concern when the work day is over. They learn it just to pay the bills. If you have the lust for real knowledge in the field, you'll find yourself pondering it morning, noon, and night. Do you drop your thoughts after classes? How bad do you want to learn? Do you forget about it on your free time, or have a cold one and discuss theory?
See where I am going? How bad do you want this? How bad do you REALLY want to advance at this? Do you really want it, or just want to cover the bills by it? If you really want it, than you answered your own question. Go for it Tim, never stop learning, never stop questioning.....LEARN, LEARN, LEARN! Try to take it to the top of your game, but realize you will never reach a peak, just keep striving, today, tomorrow, and twenty+ years from now!
Well, how do you feel?
Let me ask you this Tim,...are you entering the field for a career and a money maker or do you have the lust for the energy? What I mean by that is,... I see alot of guys who leave the concern when the work day is over. They learn it just to pay the bills. If you have the lust for real knowledge in the field, you'll find yourself pondering it morning, noon, and night. Do you drop your thoughts after classes? How bad do you want to learn? Do you forget about it on your free time, or have a cold one and discuss theory?
See where I am going? How bad do you want this? How bad do you REALLY want to advance at this? Do you really want it, or just want to cover the bills by it? If you really want it, than you answered your own question. Go for it Tim, never stop learning, never stop questioning.....LEARN, LEARN, LEARN! Try to take it to the top of your game, but realize you will never reach a peak, just keep striving, today, tomorrow, and twenty+ years from now!
mdshunk
Senior Member
- Location
- Right here.
It is good to have benchmarks. I would just also encourage you to resist the urge to not learn something just because "you don't need to know that yet". If some particular electrical topic is interesting to you right now, learn all you can about it while you have the fire in your belly, along with all the other stuff you must learn.
76nemo
Senior Member
- Location
- Ogdensburg, NY
mdshunk said:
Eeeewwwww, that's good. Nicely put Marc!
76nemo
Senior Member
- Location
- Ogdensburg, NY
WDMEDFY? I'll never need evi*gra
Teaspoon
Senior Member
- Location
- Camden,Tn.
Keep these 2 things in mind in the electrical trade.
We never stop learning.
We should never get to the point that we think we know it all.
If we reach either of these points we are finished.
We never stop learning.
We should never get to the point that we think we know it all.
If we reach either of these points we are finished.
76nemo
Senior Member
- Location
- Ogdensburg, NY
That's as good as Marc's statement!
ItsHot
Senior Member
- Location
- A little piece of heaven!
know it alls
know it alls
know it alls
Great advice! Some of the "know it alls" can be the most dangerous of the trade!Teaspoon said:
cadpoint
Senior Member
- Location
- Durham, NC
Congratulations
I thought that your in a structured apprenticeship were you could ask every session what's in the next session? Frankly I thought this is all layed out like a over-all course of studies, at least in over-view ! ?
My OP, why ones enters any vocation can be as varied as the stars above!
I concur with all the threads and if I may add, I believe that you've now added to you own education, again, not only reading, but NOW to be able to post here!
Jump in where needed. Stay hungry! You can't teach that!
You have to feel that hunger! Seems you already enjoy the hunger!
Welcome Aboard!!!
You should be attentive to note everything going on around you! We are one part of the construction process, other disciplines can make our work look real good.
Learning to work with the other trades and the people and personalities can be both rewarding and progressive.
You might be wondering, well, when an I going to do this or that, rightfully so, just pay attention to all the things you haven't touched yet. You'll be infront of it soon enough, besides if your don't ever touch certain things you can always come here and read about them!
Work all the math, know it both forward and backwards when your issued it.
Enjoy
I thought that your in a structured apprenticeship were you could ask every session what's in the next session? Frankly I thought this is all layed out like a over-all course of studies, at least in over-view ! ?
My OP, why ones enters any vocation can be as varied as the stars above!
I concur with all the threads and if I may add, I believe that you've now added to you own education, again, not only reading, but NOW to be able to post here!
Jump in where needed. Stay hungry! You can't teach that!
You have to feel that hunger! Seems you already enjoy the hunger!
Welcome Aboard!!!
You should be attentive to note everything going on around you! We are one part of the construction process, other disciplines can make our work look real good.
Learning to work with the other trades and the people and personalities can be both rewarding and progressive.
You might be wondering, well, when an I going to do this or that, rightfully so, just pay attention to all the things you haven't touched yet. You'll be infront of it soon enough, besides if your don't ever touch certain things you can always come here and read about them!
Work all the math, know it both forward and backwards when your issued it.
Enjoy
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Pierre C Belarge
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
westelectric said:
Hey Mike
Kissing up to the forum.
Kidding...good to see you here.:wink:
Isn't the OP asking what is the minimum I should know after each year?
e.g.
1st year: (Resi) should know what 14-2, 12-2, 10-3 are and are typically used for.
2nd year: (Resi) should know standard layout of kitchen receptacles to meet NEC minimum.
etc, etc, etc. (Yul Brenner impression)
Tim, are you a Resi or Commie apprentice?
e.g.
1st year: (Resi) should know what 14-2, 12-2, 10-3 are and are typically used for.
2nd year: (Resi) should know standard layout of kitchen receptacles to meet NEC minimum.
etc, etc, etc. (Yul Brenner impression)
Tim, are you a Resi or Commie apprentice?
Pierre C Belarge
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Okay, after busting Mike's chops, I will add my nickels worth.
When you are on the job:
Pay attention to your mechanic.
Learn the methods of your company.
When installing the equipment, as the paperwork/instructions are thrown on the floor, pick them up and bring them home. Start a folder and read them. You may not understand as much now, but it will help a lot.
Don't forget to go the extra mile while working. This industry is not just about showing how much you know. As you move up the "food chain" others below you (and those above) will take notice. Do not let anyone who makes fun of you for working hard bother you, they are just venting and are not happy you may be making them look bad.
When you are outside of the job:
Learn to budget your time. How much time studying...how much of your time to keep "out of work" - family, fun, etc...
The time you budget for studying/learning outside of work can be stuff like this forum and other web related activities, books, class, etc...
If you really want to excel and be more than just a mechanic, you will have to put in the extra time.
As far as outside of work stuff, it is none of my business.
When on this forum, learn to have very thick skin...nobody really means harm, but sometimes here there is little sensitivity towards others, just deal with it.
Good luck!!!
When you are on the job:
Pay attention to your mechanic.
Learn the methods of your company.
When installing the equipment, as the paperwork/instructions are thrown on the floor, pick them up and bring them home. Start a folder and read them. You may not understand as much now, but it will help a lot.
Don't forget to go the extra mile while working. This industry is not just about showing how much you know. As you move up the "food chain" others below you (and those above) will take notice. Do not let anyone who makes fun of you for working hard bother you, they are just venting and are not happy you may be making them look bad.
When you are outside of the job:
Learn to budget your time. How much time studying...how much of your time to keep "out of work" - family, fun, etc...
The time you budget for studying/learning outside of work can be stuff like this forum and other web related activities, books, class, etc...
If you really want to excel and be more than just a mechanic, you will have to put in the extra time.
As far as outside of work stuff, it is none of my business.
When on this forum, learn to have very thick skin...nobody really means harm, but sometimes here there is little sensitivity towards others, just deal with it.
Good luck!!!
LHarrington
Senior Member
- Location
- Saginaw Bay area Michigan
Tim,
Learn to commit full to your job, the career you have selected is one of admiration and dedication. learn from your mistakes and build integrity with in your self and those around you. Honesty is priceless. Lastly keep this in mind. "know care how much you know, until they know how much you care."
LHarrington
Learn to commit full to your job, the career you have selected is one of admiration and dedication. learn from your mistakes and build integrity with in your self and those around you. Honesty is priceless. Lastly keep this in mind. "know care how much you know, until they know how much you care."
LHarrington
brian john
Senior Member
- Location
- Leesburg, VA
By as adept with the NEC as possible.
When taking on a new project get the NEC out and thoroughly understand all articles that apply to the work at hand.
Do not stop there do web searches about this work, buy any books regarding the subject at hand and study them.
never think you know it all, KEEP LEARNING.
If it bores you look for another job in the trade doing something different.
ASK QUESTIONS and then verify the answers, unfortunately there are many that do not know ANYTHING, but that never stopped them from answering a question.
When taking on a new project get the NEC out and thoroughly understand all articles that apply to the work at hand.
Do not stop there do web searches about this work, buy any books regarding the subject at hand and study them.
never think you know it all, KEEP LEARNING.
If it bores you look for another job in the trade doing something different.
ASK QUESTIONS and then verify the answers, unfortunately there are many that do not know ANYTHING, but that never stopped them from answering a question.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Tim123:
With your attitude you will do exceptionally well.
Here is what I say: The more I know the less I know.
And there are products you will be installing that haven't been invented yet. There are code articles that are yet to be written.
One suggestion that I don't see to often is to get mfg catalogs for what you work on and read them. The Sq D catalog, just in the panelboard section has valuable information, what breakers are listed for what use, accessories, and so on. If you can go by the wholesale house they will have shelfs full of them.
There are objectives for each year of training that you should be able to find. Those would be your benchmarks.
With your attitude you will do exceptionally well.
Here is what I say: The more I know the less I know.
And there are products you will be installing that haven't been invented yet. There are code articles that are yet to be written.
One suggestion that I don't see to often is to get mfg catalogs for what you work on and read them. The Sq D catalog, just in the panelboard section has valuable information, what breakers are listed for what use, accessories, and so on. If you can go by the wholesale house they will have shelfs full of them.
There are objectives for each year of training that you should be able to find. Those would be your benchmarks.
Mike Burch
Member
- Location
- Apache Junction, Arizona
I would bet that during your career you will meet 1 or 2 electricians that you will look back and condsider the best ones you have ever met. (Sorry, you don't count.. In my case Larry Pierce from Michigan and Bob Taylor from Arizona are the top two hardest working electrician I ever came across with a 100% effort every single day. And every one that you meet will teach you something new. And.... pay attention in knot tying class. . Good luck
. In my case Larry Pierce from Michigan and Bob Taylor from Arizona are the top two hardest working electrician I ever came across with a 100% effort every single day. And every one that you meet will teach you something new. And.... pay attention in knot tying class. . Good luck
brian john
Senior Member
- Location
- Leesburg, VA
If after the first 3 months you do not know this move to another trade, by the end of the 1st year or SOONER you should be able to wire a house on you own, knowing the applicable codes for the work you are completing.
If you follow the advice given by the posters above you'll be on the mark. Trying to outline specifics is a problem as there are so many aspects to our trade. Fire alarm, Decks, residential, industrial and on and on...
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MR2Di4
Member
- Location
- Ketchikan, Alaska
- Occupation
- Central Office Network Technician
Having just completed my own apprenticeship, I can sympathize with your concerns. All journeymen are not alike, some will excel and some will learn just enough to get by. My dad, also a journeyman, explained it to me like this:
So even though I turned out five months ago I am still learning new techniques and skills to add to my knowledge. You will earn the respect of your peers by your workmanship and professionalism. Anyone who resents you for having high standards is just lazy.
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