Thank you so much! We really appreciate this. It’s interesting because my husband has a similar story to you! He also did a semester of college then went into trade school shortly after. He actually had dreams of working on planes but fell in love with electrical work and went to trade school. College is amazing too but he knew the direction he wanted to go in. To answer your question about math, we just made another Q&A video where he answers this question and many more if you want to check it out. Again, thank you so much for your positivity! Your post is a testament to why representation is so important, especially in white dominated spaces. May God bless you on your journey, I know you’ll be phenomenal 🙏🏽

Being good at math helps. But over the course of 13 yrs now I’ve worked with tons of dudes ranging from ones that aren’t the best at math to unable to do single digit subtraction. They all were good electricians, they all had different tricks to solve their issue. Phones all have calculators, and older dudes use their tape measure as a number line. 99% of our math is elementary level stuff. Some algebra skills can help, but it’s rare til you are the top dawg!

Wait till you gotta run 4" rigid you'll regret becoming a electrician

I felt the same way. I love seeing other black men in these industries because I see myself being represented. It was the same reason I was compelled to click this video and TBH it’s the best info I have gotten from a video thus far.

@@chrisklooz9538 have you not met any that are very good at math?

Thank you so much, we really appreciate it! 🙏🏽

Awesome! Yess thank you. We really appreciate your comment. Blessings to you as well!

One of the smartest electricians I know is black. But It’s sad to me that it’s so shocking to see a black man in a skilled trade. I know the reasons for it. But it needs to stop. Local unions need to start trying to get more recruits in inner city areas. Help bring up the neighborhoods. Or at least get the ones who want out, out.

Is it better to get into an apprenticeship or go the route you did?

@@trentj4132 I’d recommend a Union apprenticeship if you can get in. If not try for non union. And once you can get that journeyman’s card it’s easier to join. Union has a lot of bad rep. But I will say it’s nice knowing the contractor pays for all of my benefits retirement plans included.

amen thank you so much because I’m also going to become a journeyman electrician too after working 3 years with the company because I love intelligent people doing trades

Amen to that! Thank you! ✊🏽

Yeh meh to and even ordinary working man postman lorry drivers , rig workers

Why does it matter if they have a black wife?

@7ennyfn because they are black themselves, and you can talk all that shit about it doesn't matter, everybody is the same rubbish all you like , universal appeal BS , most people keep to their own that how the world works , love is blind I believe we should all intermarry with each other and live free but the world isn't like that a few celebrities white woman and black dudes doesnt change that nether does the odd couples who are mixed, in prison everybody automatically goes back into segregation do you know why

@@cassk9999 maybe I’m getting the wrong end of the stick, and by all means I’m not racist. I just don’t know how to take the original comment, did he say that because there is a minority in black trades-men that have black wives? I’m confused, Or is he proud that a man of colour has a job and not married to a white woman? I really can’t make out what he meant, and again I’m not trying to sound arrogant I’m just trying to figure it out respectively.

Absolutely! Thanks so much, you as well!

Same

Thank you so much that means a lot to me I always wanted to pursue electrician and become a journeyman as well

YES!! Good to see you doing your thang my man. I’ve been in electrical for 33 yrs and did 7 yrs of line work and you will always be learning plus with the electrical field constantly changing you will always be learning. Love what you doing my man👊🏽

I really appreciate your comment. You are spot on bcus there have been times he has expressed his frustration. He submitted his paperwork for his journeyman. Just waiting for feedback! Thanks so much, I passed your message along to Ethan. God bless

#facts

Thanks so much!

1:37

Hey there David. Question for you…I am interested in becoming an electrician. Where is the money in electrical? My father is an extremely master electrician yet never got his license and makes only 80 grand a year at a job that he’s been at for 20 years. That place doesn’t appreciate the work he does but he never left because he felt as tho whats the point now that he’s nearly 60. Long story short, i want to purse electrical, but where is the money!? The over 100k a year positions? I know they are out there, I’d ask my dad but he himself doesn’t quite know either. I am 26 years old.

@@kristoonz the unions. I’m not an electrician and all the money and pension retirement is in the Union. If ur dad taught u any electrical work speak on that on the interview and how much u want the job and you’ll be able to start as an apprentice

You must be swimming in money my friend.

Thank you so much. Yes the racial disparities in this field are too common. I wish you the best of luck on your journey!

​@@ethanroberts092the racial thing is in the ,majority of union oriented settings. The crazy part is once I got in where I'm at most the people don't know shit. They are just there to milk clock and get a check...

Awesome! My husband is Liberian! 🇱🇷

@@ethanroberts092 good to hear.

@@ethanroberts092I’m part Liberian too 🇱🇷💯 from the Kpelle tribe

Thanks so much I agree! Here is Ethan’s response to your question: he definitely says that youtube is really helpful. Look up the DIY projects you want to do and go to home depot or Lowe’s for exactly what you need. For example, Ethan put down some flooring in our previous house. KZfaq really helped. There aren’t any online courses for homeowners who want to learn electrical work. At least none that Ethan is aware of, but again KZfaq is great! I hope this helped at least a little bit!

Im so happy it was helpful to you, thank you so much for your comment 🙏🏽 Good luck on your journey! We’ll be making a Q&A video soon. If you have additional questions feel free to drop your questions here or under the poll.

Thank you so much! Ethan said its a habit but for safety reasons he likes to tape it. 👍🏽

Thank you for your comment! We will film a Q&A if you have other questions feel free to drop them and i’ll be sure to have Ethan answer them for you.

@@ethanroberts092 thank you for the video! Yes I will think of some and post them I appreciate it as you guys said in the video there are not many black men in this field so it’s awesome to see one making there way and inspires me more because the union I’m joining from all the guys I’ve seen so far I will be the only one or one of few so it’s encouraging to see there are other melanated brothers paving the way for ones like myself! Much respect!

@@jayfromct5164 Absolutely! Thank you for your words it means so much. Representation is so important. Ethan loves what he does and loves to see other melanated folks on the job as well. We’re glad this video has been helpful to you. We’ll lookout for your questions and post the Q&A soon 👍🏽

Thank you so much. It was really fun and helped me understand more of what he does!

Ethan agrees 100% 😆

hey, don’t disrespect any line of electrical work. All of it is necessary and takes lots of time to get it mastered.

Thank you! I 100% agree their needs to be more of us. And congrats on receiving your C-10!

I’ve done commercial, residential, and industrial. I always preferred industrial, myself except that the safety culture has gotten out of hand. I love motor control, PLC, instrumentation, rigid conduit, etc. It’s so much more mentally stimulating than your regular mundane tasks in commercial and residential like wall rough-in, branch piping, etc

@@Ephesians-ts8ze there are enough tragedies like 1st year apprentices meeting 277/480 on a lift, unsupervised. I don't think any excuse or apology is going to quell the family's sorrow or anger at the loss of their daughter. I'd say let them learn on 120v connected to an arc fault breaker at most. She didn't even know how dangerous her work was. I'll agree with some of the harness requirements being nutty. I think training records would solve a lot of the issues.

@@jonanderson5137 don’t get me wrong bro, I’m not opposed to working safely but there’s such a culture of indoctrination especially in industrial. You sometimes get put in harm’s way in the name of safety. And if the safety director tells you to do something stupid because they’ve never done a real days’ work in their life but they can regurgitate what they learned in a book or training videos, you better do what you’re told or you’re the one out of a job. Some of them have no useful skills in life so they have to try extra hard to justify their existence on the job. I just think the way safety programs are implemented and enforced on jobs often ironically creates unsafe conditions.

@@Ephesians-ts8ze I get it, I'm happily employed and I don't have too many problems. If someone wants to be a safety nut, I safely finish the job and move on.

He had left the screwdriver in the truck, lol.

how are you liking it so far?

@@nickstephens6933 meh, it's something and maybe it can be more.

What do you do now? What it be wise to do the ibew for the 5 years and transition to industrial or plc?

Hi, my name is Willie Townsell I'm an apprentice 2yr electrician. I believe union is definitely the way to travel. You learn the right way to go about doing it as safely as possible. Now in the beginning is next to money as an apprentice. However, is you stick with it you'll see major money opportunities. Now that pay depends on where you live in the country. But the money comes with the overtime.

Joint IBEW UNION and study on your own. I spent about $150 per year on books .

@@davidpierre8465 how long ago? Shit, we pay Damn there $1000

Scale jobs is where the pay is.. i was at fort meade MD getting paid 56$ an hour.. and then at willis reed Bethesda MD for 80$ an hour.. im back home in florida where the pay is probably the worst in any state… but i work scale at federal jobs getting paid at 46$ an hour but usually pay in Florida is around 25$-28$ for a jman… yeah its shit but you gotta keep bouncing until you hit the big jobs

Be aware of what cost of living is in every state and the taxes relation. Just because you make a hundred thousand dollars in California doesn't mean the money is going to run as long as it would in Florida. In California we learn more but we pay more in taxes and other necessities food transportation and housing. The final take-home pay it's just less. It depends on your local and what they

I’m 21 and really looking into becoming an electrician and my uncle said the exact same thing as you! There apparently is a significant shortage of electricians and will most likely get worse as time progresses so it seems like this is a great career path especially since I’m younger but I wanted to ask you what paths would you recommend to make the most out of this career? Of course I’m planning on attempting to make the most money I can out of this career and if you have any advice please share!

@@jakewebb9417 - Depends on where you live and the steps to take to become a journeyman in that area. Some may require tech school then apprenticeship. I started as a teen, working as a helper wiring houses and chicken houses. Went in the military at 17 yrs old, got out and went back into electrical work. But, no more residential! I knew I would learn so much more in commercial. In our state, when I took the state exam, only had to show proof of 5 years experience working under a state licensed electrician. The key is doing commercial / industrial work and making the steps to get state license. (No real money in residential) The state license puts you on another level when applying for jobs, also sets you up to start your own contracting company. I ran my electrical contracting business with 40+ employees for several years all while doing sub-contract electrical designs for engineers, years later turned that into an engineering business. I recommend, DON'T think about being an electrician until retirement, unless you want to work your way up to get licensed then up to job superintendent for a large electrical contracting company or start your own business. Don't have the mindset "I will settle for bending conduit and pulling wire until I'm 65". Always look ahead at taking another step in the electrical field. By 28 yrs old, I had 40 employees with blanket contracts on commercial and industrial projects, job list stayed full over a year in advance. Most people would settle with that, but I kept looking ahead pursing electrical, architectural and mechanical engineering. Then I looked forward and started getting larger and larger engineering projects. DON'T settle! Don't get licensed and stop looking forward. Keep looking at next steps forward to add to your experience and career. Another good opportunity, while working as an electrical helper and starting to understand the fundamentals, send resume to the utility company, linesmen make great money.

Thanks so much!

Hey bro just apply to local electric company’s and your local union hall. U can’t go work with this line of work. I was nervous my first day tbh. But I was honest with the Forman and just worked hard.

Texas master here too!

@Ephesians 6:12 good deal, are a runny a shop

@@jak50cent nah, I master for a small company but work for the state. I never had a Texas journeyman license. I grandfathered in as a master

My husband has worked with many electricians who haven’t either, but equally got great experience!

@Verna Elaine I had many people qho went to school and told me that I wouldn't get my journeyman ay the time. Telling me I need school to pass the test which was a lie, then I got it and they fired me because they had to pay

Lookup apprenticeships in your area and when you're speaking with them let them know that you'll be okay with taking a pay cut since you'll be learning, also because it will be mutually benecficial- they pay you to learn/ work, and you get to make money while learning something new/ adding new skills to your set.

They are the CAT work wear 👍🏽

@@ethanroberts092 thank you very much! I’m currently a construction Laborer and I want to get into electrical work and this motivation me more

@@AviatorGamer you’re welcome! I’m so happy it helped. Good luck on your journey!

Thank you!

This is such a great question. I’ll add this to the Q&A, thank you!

There's increased incentive for women and others to enter the trades. Some women do but most women just don't want to work in a trades and get dirty. I've worked in different capacities where I would recruit women. Many of the women I spoke with prefer comfortable office type jobs.

It really depends on what you wanna do. If you go to college and become an electrical engineer, thats more money you’ll make. You would go to a trade school of you only wanted to be an electrician, doing pipework etc.

He’s the most amazing electrician ever!! Thanks sis! 💗💗💗

crazy comment💀

This a great question! He will answer in the Q&A 👍🏽

General algebra. Ohms law, logarithms and powers