Hello from Houston. I was an Electrician's Mate in the Navy from Jan '86 to Jan '90. As of the 20th I've been a civilian for 12 years. 4 months after I was discharged I started my apprenticeship in April of '90.
"Turned out" (became a Journeyman) in May of '95 (5 year program, way to long). Worked my way up to foreman. Ran a service truck for a short time. The next thing you know in Sept of '99, I'm an estimator. I started working on my Houston master's license, and landed it in Feb of '01. Back in Dec of '01 I landed my "SBCCI" master's. Now I'm wondering what to do next.
A friend of mine told me once, "Greg, I love this trade. I love everything about it. It doesn't matter if it is the dirtiest ditch or trimming out receptacle in a high rise building, I love it." He owns an electrical contracting company here in Houston. I'm 35, and I would guess that he is probably 38. I have not forgotten what he said to me that day, and I was deeply impressed. I could see that he really meant what he said. I must say that I love this trade as well. I hope to love it as much as he does some day. There is no other trade like it. All the other trades depend on it. Most general contractors that I know are "scared" of the electrical trade because they nothing about it. It is the most respected trade on the job as far as I'm concerned. We know more about the other trades than they would ever consider learning about ours. Why? Because our trade involves connecting water heaters, pumps (plumbing), AHU's, chillers, etc. (HVAC), roughing in walls to connect various equipment (carpentry), installing underground, etc., etc., etc. Every wirenut we install has the potential of becoming a fire hazard. Every service we install could burn someone's house down. It doesn't matter if it is a "one man crapper" or a nuclear power plant, it has electrical work involved. One thing that I love about this trade is this forum. This is a place where I can fellowship with others who do and love the exact same thing that I do and love every day.
To all I say welcome, don't be shy. If I can be of service to any here, let me know. I will do my best to lend a hand where needed. God Speed to all.
Doc
HMEL #688
[This message has been edited by The Watt Doctor (edited 01-23-2002).]
