Careers
How to Become a Meteorologist?
We all love cool winds in summer and lovely rains in dry weather. But sometimes, Mother Nature can take the wildest route and transform beautiful
December 14, 2021
No Comments
Can you think of a place where you go that would not need an electrician? Electricity is an important energy source and a critical element of our everyday life. Without it, our day-to-day tasks of residential and industrial sectors would stop.
And just like electricity, the importance of electricians can’t be denied. They keep critical functions up and running in factories, hospitals, markets, and many other buildings.
Most importantly, they keep our homes lit and feel alive.
But, how do you become an electrician, and what career opportunities do you get with it. Let’s find out.
Pathway to Becoming an Electrician
Let’s dive straight into the step-by-step action plan of becoming an electrician in the United States.
This is a mandatory step that you have to complete for becoming an Electrician. You can either complete a high school diploma or obtain an equivalent GED.
If you are still in high school, the following courses can help you better prepare yourself for the role:
Mathematics – It helps with calculations and lets you easily determine wire lengths, voltage requirements, and other important data.
Physics – Physics helps you in understanding the concepts of electrical circuits and the flow of current.
English – Although electricians’ primary work involves manual labor, they should be able to generate reports, read and understand manuals and warning signs, and also communicate effectively with colleagues and clients.
Electronics – This subject introduces you to the basic functioning of electrical devices and the working of circuit boards.
This step is not necessary, but it has the potential to make you stand out among a sea of candidates.
So, try getting under the tutelage of an experienced electrician or sign up for electrician schooling at a trade school or vocation college.
You can expect to learn electrical theory, safety practices, wiring techniques, and industrial electrical codes. But, most importantly, the course will get you practical experience before you get under the pressure of working under a boss in a formal job.
Most practical electrician courses take 1 or 2 years to complete.
States like California and Texas require aspiring electricians to be registered for an apprenticeship or training before they are allowed to formally work on a job site. This is a short and easy process to complete.
Simply visit your local labor authority and find out the requirements to work in that particular region.
This is a mandatory step to tread this career path. A formal apprenticeship lasts four or five years and combines on-the-job training with theoretical courses. There, you get trained by a Master or Journeyman Electrician and get paid an hourly wage for the time.
The apprenticeship will include almost 2000 hours of practical training and 144 hours of coursework.
You can find nearby apprenticeship offers through the U.S. Department of Labor or by contacting the following institutions:
5. Becoming Licensed
Each state has its own set of standards. The majority of states require electricians to obtain a license to be qualified enough to work. However, a few states like Illinois and Pennsylvania don’t provide licenses at state levels.
Such states do have licensing requirements at town or city levels. So, make sure you check these requirements.
However, all applicants also have to pass an exam to show an understanding of:
Once you pass the exam, you’ll be a fully-certified journeyman electrician.
Job Description & Duties
Electricians have various responsibilities depending on whether they work inside buildings or go out in the field.
Some daily tasks included in their duties are:
Career Opportunities
Some electricians work individually, while others collaborate with groups and teams. For instance, home electricians can maintain a single house alone, while they would need fellow juniors and seniors to install a new electrical system.
Similarly, experienced electricians on mega projects cooperate with engineers and architects to help design and implement electrical designs.
However, at some point in their careers, electricians decide to take their careers to the next level and achieve the most coveted title, “Master Electrician.”
What is a Master Electrician?
A journeyman electrician would need to spend 12000 hours on practical experience before appearing for the master electrician exam. Then, he’d need to prove his knowledge of specialized electrical codes and advanced electrical procedures and pass the exam to earn the title of Master Electrician.
Master electricians get better career opportunities than journeymen. For example, master electricians can do the following:
Opportunities for Juniors
However, junior electricians also get decent career advancement opportunities. Hard-working and committed juniors who start as technicians can get promoted to operation managers, field managers, and even distribution managers within their company and field.
Moreover, electricians can also become home inspectors, crew foremen, and project managers.
Job Outlook & Salary
Different job roles mean there is a range of salaries throughout this career and field. On average, an Electrician with at least two years of experience and education can make about $60,000 a year.
In the beginning, it’s easier to expect a salary closer to $44,000. However, after six to seven years of experience, it’s possible to earn $80,000 and more in some areas as an Electrician.
Some factors that determine your salary and growth are job location, state requirements, and the industry where you work.
In terms of industry, electricians get hired in construction, manufacturing, hospitality, retail, telecom, and the energy sector. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that electrician jobs will rise at a massive 9% until 2026.
So, if you are considering getting into this field, do so without second thoughts. There is a huge potential in it!
Click the link below to learn more about other careers. https://raisingblackkidstobeavidreaders.com/category/career/
We all love cool winds in summer and lovely rains in dry weather. But sometimes, Mother Nature can take the wildest route and transform beautiful
If you wish to become a security analyst, you can rest assured that it’s an excellent and prolific career choice. However, the process will indeed
In our culture a firefighter is termed “an unsung hero” of our society, and the responsibilities stretch far beyond the understanding of a layman. While
Since regular dental care is important for our overall health, we should find the time to visit a dentist at least to get our yearly
Learning a trade or skill and then mastering it can be quite a lucrative career path, and the same goes for plumbing. If you enjoy
Accounting is an essential field – so much so that a business can’t survive without it. Whether you work as an independent self-employed individual or
Introduction You’ve probably read a few books in your lifetime. But have you ever read a book that changed your life? That’s what Mildred D.
So you’re interested in becoming a podiatrist? That’s great! Podiatry is a fascinating and multifaceted field that can lead to a rewarding career. But before
If you’re not familiar with Sharon Flake, she’s a prolific author of young adult literature. Her books explore tough issues facing teenagers, from racism and
Hi, art lover! We wanted to introduce you to Shane W Evans, an extremely popular illustrator, and author. Evans was born in Columbus, Ohio, in
