Hi all, my name is Charley Viehland. I'm enrolled in the Commercial
Electricity program at the Columbia Area Career Center in Columbia,
Missouri. I graduate in June, and will be ready to start full time
as an apprentice electrician somewhere in the USA! (any
suggestions?) I'm glad to have found the profession that I really am
happy doing after 4 years of college and another 4 years at a dead
end job. I'm anxious to hear about everyone's experiences...

Charley

Hi Charley, and welcome to the forum.

Congratulations on choosing an interesting career (well, everybody in here would say that, wouldn't they? ).

There are many man-years of experience resting with ECN's members, so come on in and make yourself at home. With our varying areas of expertise there is usually somebody around to answer almost any question.

You've entered a great field, for a lot of reasons:


Your job won't be "outsourced."

Your job won't be lost because of automation.

There is a shortage of qualified electrians in the US.

The electrical trade is arguably the most respected of all trades. (Hey, we have the power! )

The pay scale for this trade is gradually increasing, as good electricians become harder to find.

There are many specialties within the electrical trade.

And the one I like the most: Job security, because people will always need electricity!!

Peter

"There are many specialties within the electrical trade."

What specialties are out there in the electrical field?

Edward

residential, commercial & industrial construcion, fire alarms, burglar alarms, low-voltage, service work & maintenance, troubleshooting, automation, medium & high voltage, fiber optics, controls, and I'm sure there are others...

[This message has been edited by CTwireman (edited 04-06-2004).]

Hey Charley, welcome aboard! I did the 4-year college gig too. Hell, my graduation ceremony was in Carnegie Hall, can you beat that!? Anyhow, the electrical field can be very rewarding. You'll learn skills that nobody can take from you or deny, unlike the corporate world. So if this is what floats your boat, so to speak, well then full steam ahead...go get 'em!

Best 'o luck,
Andy

[This message has been edited by cavo148 (edited 04-06-2004).]