I'm 38. I am a janitor. I want to be an electrician to get more hours and better pay. This video was very motivating to me. Thank you.

I’m 18 years old and know nothing about being an electrician. I start in 5 hours and I can’t sleep but you’re videos are teaching me a lot. Thanks

I'm 34. Gonna have my interview next week for my local IBEW. Honestly it feels weird applying for an apprenticeship at my age, however, I feel like I'm in a dead end career at the moment. For those of you "older" guys considering an apprenticeship or a change of career I just wanna say to go for it. Thanks Mike for sharing your tips/tricks/bullshit.

Installed 22 recessed lights in a house made over 2 grand in less then a day. Residential is Good pay

And God said "LET THERE BE LIGHT!" And he sent forth the electrician to turn it on

I’m 33 years old and I’m more then convinced now that this is what I want to do thanks for the motivation for us older guys

I’m 20 years old and randomly got a job as an apprentice, being an electrician wasn’t something I was really thinking on starting a career, but am now realizing this might be the best thing that’s happened to me and very excited for the future in this field

I would recommend any high school kid that's not planning on going to college, go to vocational school. It was the best decision I made in high school.

i dont see many female electricians around where i live so i hope i can do well if i can get my apprenticeship update: ive been working and saving money and im going to go for an apprenticeship next year!

Started out when i was 16 working with my Dad. Went to my vocational program and fell in love with the trade. After 2 years I still look forward to going to work!

Just did an application with the Union and they already sent me out to work sorta like a pre-apprenticeship. I'm loving every second so far.

I am 38 years old ex cook... Today I've got my Electrician certificate and I am already doing it for a few months in another country... For 3 times my previous pay and next to nothing physical... And this world needs even more electricians so I am still expecting to have great pay and great collogues... simple yet such a good decision in my life...

I’m 16 and work my butt of doing stuff that the other workers over me don’t want to do but every day I learn something new

Just graduated high school a couple months ago and looking into a local community college to go through their electrician program and then hopefully go through an apprenticeship and get my career rolling. I’ll be honest I’m nervous and don’t know any thing about electricity but I’m willing to learn. I also wanna learn other skills and trades because being able to do so many things on my own is an awesome idea I think.

Cheers fella. I have just started an electrician's course at the ripe old age of 58, here in France. You have kept my spirits high. Cheers

I'm getting in love with electricity. I'm 30 and no experience on it but now thanks to you, I have a clear way of what to do and what to focus on. Thank you so much Mike.

I'm 29 and just finished an accelerated school program that got me through Level 3 along with free work boots and tools via scholarship. One classmate was a 41 year old single mother of 3. Waiting to hear back for a Commercial job but other than that I'm definitely excited for it. 3 years in the making, but better late than never

I'm 38 and a woman, social worker and have a bunch of side hustles I'm running. Becoming an electrician is something thar has interested me for a long time and I really wish I went to trade school when I was a teen and it was first offered to me. My dad knows alot about electrical work and he and I worked to fix up my house I bought a few years ago. I will look more into this, this video was very informative

I applied at a local union for the apprenticeship program, as an inside wireman. About 5 months after applying I was called in to take an aptitude test. The another 4 months later I was called for an interview. Then 3 months after that I was called and told that I was being accepted into the program. So it took a year from application to being accepted for me. The time is different for everyone though. If you know someone in the union, they can get you in way faster. School for us is free for the most part. All we have to do is pay for books. My first year books were about $560. However, if you have perfect attendance for that year and average a 90% you get that money back. That's kinda my experience so far, and I'm loving the work that's going on with my contractor. Love your channel Mike, keep it up!

26 and been enjoying my freedom ever since I graduated from high school but now I feel it's time to secure my future and pick up a career and a new hobby. This video helped me make up my mind and I thank you👍.

I’m in high school just found out I got accepted in the electrical program at my local vocational school

got into electrical when i was 20, now i am 24, it really is a good career, so many people went to college, not enough people want to be in the trade, makes it easier to negotiate wage, my buddy just got into hvac as well, he is experiencing the same thing, they are eager to hire, but the downside is, sometimes they are so eager to hire, they hire shitty lazy workers who don't give a rats ass about the job, so that's not something i enjoy. on the flip side, once you start networking and know a lot of tradesmen, you can gather up guys and run side jobs, i am beginning to do that now :)

I'm 24. Gonna stop what I'm doing and become an electrician.

Thank you for the clear and concise introduction. I just turned 39 and I've been a baker, farmer, winery grunt, and now a warehouse manager. Only getting paid $20/hr and feel like I need to start crushing it to get a decent home for myself and stop paying off someone else's mortgage. I've always hated school and math but hoping it's not as bad as I think it's gonna be. Cheers!!

Great video sir, You are actually not the last trade on site in a commercial building. It is the furniture installers. I work for a Contract Office Furnishings company and we are always waiting for other trades and we are ultimately the last ones getting pushed by the client. We can’t install the panel systems, file systems, raised flooring, Architectural walls, office suites etc until everything else is done. Keep the videos coming.

This is one of your best videos. And I'm not joking this time.

Mike that was an amazing video. I accidentally fell into this career. Here is my story if you want to read it. Started working at home depot after doing concrete, brick, and tuckpointing at the age of 26 or 27. Worked in the garden department for 3 months. Was transfered to flooring for a month and almost quit. Was transfered to electrical and i said shit. I dont know anything about ac. I took dc in high school for 2 years, but not the same. I started learning the different terms, like you said "1900" box. I picked it up so fast that the master electrician that worked there part time hired me. I worked for him for about a year and a half while still at depot. We had a little bit of a tiff about my pay, i thought i should get a bonus for one job i did. He gave me the bonus ($30) and then when i asked for more work he said he didnt need anymore help. Im still working with this guy at the store mind you. This contractor keeps coming in more and more and we get a buisness relationship going. I always help him and make sure he has all the stuff for his current job. A month goes by and he asks if i know anyone that wants to help him for $25/hr, my eyes light up and i said yeah me! He gives me his number and my first job was running conduit...easy as pie for me. Im in chicago, everything is pipe and thats one of the first things i learned. He liked my work and ive been working for this guy for the last 4 and a half years. The last 2 years full time averaging $500/day currently doing resi work (remember this is Chicago, everything is inflated). To all you young people out there with a brain....take a serious look at electrical work!

I like your input and perspective on this. I've been struggling with dead end jobs and bs so this video definitely helped me a lot to get that extra push and confidence. Thanks dude.

I am 19, currently in school working towards an associates in electromechanical technology. I recently saw videos about being an electrician and I am thinking that’s what I wanna do. I go to a tech school and asked one of my instructors who is a master electrician and he took me to a electrician class. Everyone there gave me phone numbers of their company and they were all so nice and helpful. Really gave me a perspective on electricians.

Thank you so much I just graduated high school and this opened up more options for me

I became an electrician the second week of January. I got hired in by a company owned by two electricians who’ve been in the field for 25+ years. I see both off them everyday and even some days work with them directly. But every single day I’m on a site and I learn somthing new. Yea I do more digging than others and maybe more sweeping at the end of the day, but while I’m digging I learn how to install the pvc for underground, and I’ve already learned to run home runs and switch legs by myself. I came in with no knowledge and I already can install additional lights at my dads house if he asks. It’s tedious, and labor intensive but the best way to start the trade is as an apprentice/ helper. You get the most knowledge that way and on a daily basis in real world application.

That's how I'm became electrician. I got fed up of labor in food factory, handed in my resignation letter. Walked across road an asked is there any job opportunities for maintenance electrician.

I'm 32. Had been in sales for a while - somehow got stuck, thinking there was nothing better out there! Now retraining on a full NVQ as an electrician assistant in the UK, and going to work is no longer a total drain on my well-being. This work is a brilliant trade. Suddenly I have a valuable skill, (or building one) rather than just being permanently dispensable and judged on my last month... and I was not struggling in sales. I just hated it and had enough. Can't believe I stayed so long in it. WAY happier now doing this kind of work!!

Your fly was unzipped this whole video...

I’m 17 and looking to get into this, i have a high school class that is teaching me the very basics of power tech, so far i’ve learned the basics of volts, ohms, current, and how to install outlets & lights. I love it honestly, it’s so cool and i’m really enjoying this class. I have fun learning it so I applied to a community college to major in electrical technology. I’m just worried that I’m not going in the right direction but this video definitely helped me out. Thanks so much man! This area is a lot bigger than I had imagined, a bit overwhelming but not too crazy.

Im 2 months in electrical trade school and this information made me feel that I made a good decision thank you so much🎓🤟.

I'm nearly 28 your motivating me to become a electrician

Hey, I finished school and had no idea what I wanted to do, I, through a friend, got a electrical work on industrial level electricity, and through the 10 months of work, I learned how to install 11kv lines and 66kv lines, also learned how to operate a vehicle mounted crane and how to do 3 phase jointing to mini subs, I fell in love with this kind of work and am now studying to become an electrical engineer

I'm currently in restaurants and I'm looking to make the transition to another skilled trade. It's good hearing someone else has a cooking background.

Getting my CDL first, so I have options to fall back on, and then I’m going to try become an electrician.

It depends on the state you live in. Some states don't require a journeyman license.

Found out it’s what I want to do at age 18. I wish I had an opportunity to take hands on classes in high school. It takes a while until you really get to work on electrical stuff. Patience is key, it will be worth it.

I totally agree, get all the experience and knowledge when you start out. I started with a buddy's dad, then did traffic lights for 10 years. Know I'm a maintenance electrician at a university campus with almost 30 buildings, and 5 residences, dealing with residential, commercial and industrial...always learning....masters liscence is next.

Have to agree. I was a meat cutter in a grocery store for many years. It was fine at first, but as I got older and had a family of my own, I found that I never saw them, because I was always working on weekends and holidays. So I went to a trade school for electrical work. At 37 I got an apprenticeship with a contractor. On my FIRST day they handed me a shovel and told me to start digging. That shovel was the only tool I used for my first month on the job. But things got better, and after five years I completed my apprenticeship and got my journeyman’s license. I have been a grunt on the job site with minimal responsibility, and I have been in charge of crews on half-million dollar military contracts. If you work for the right contractor you can do anything.

Voltage goes in something happens, voltage comes back. simple enough

Zero places are looking for guys off the street around my area. Zero, they all want the experience before hiring. Literally no one wants to train a guy off the street.

I'm turning 20 here soon and am starting my courses at my local community college. I'm super excited and this is just reaffirming my decision for my career!!! You're an awesome guy, thank you!

I don't know why but for some reason i've wanted to be an electrician since I was in grammer school for NO REASON I just want to....

I am very impressed with your presentation. Nice job! 😎 My early career path was roughly similar to yours. Construction electrical is very cool when your body is younger, as your body ages, consider doing industrial electricity and industrial electrical /electronic maintenance. It usually raises the pay and it's easier on the aging body. Along the journey, invest focus on schooling, and a very deep and solid understanding, starting with the basics. This will pay dividends to you for the rest of your life.

A long time ago I was told by a master electrician that to be a good electrician stuff a handful of marbles in your mouth every time you get shocked spit one out when you have lost all your marbles your a good electrician lol.

Thank you I’m 27 and look to go down this path. This is so helpful.

20, halfway through my military contract, thinking about the future. i think this might be a fitting path because of my specific MOS. thank you for the help lmao.

Awesome video!!! A couple weeks ago I applied for school at the IEC chapter here in OKC. My friend from church who’s been in the trade for about 10 years recommended me to the owner of the company he works for and also he’s field supervisor. So hoping to hear something soon. I just turned 31 at the beginning of the year and am looking for something to better myself more then what warehouse work can do

Do me a favor and never stop uploading helpful information I’m 18 and you’re helping me so much with electrical information i need to know thank you

I started doing electrical work when I was 31 and I am happy that I learned a trade and was able to support myself for a few years but It just isn't my thing. I worked the service industry for 10 years and never had one problem and was happy everyday I got up for work, but with Electrical or construction in general...Its somebody elses dream. Waking up at 4:30 every morning and racing to a job I didn't enjoy for an hour then being totally soaked in sweat within for first hour on the job with 7-9 hours more to go....naa I can think of better ways to spend my days. I learned very easy and became a good electrician and became confident in my work but just couldn't force myself to love it. Im 37 now and have been out the game for around a year and a half minus a couple 3rd party gigs for a week or two. It taught me so many important things that I happy of my time spent in the trade.

That hand gave out some wicked advice

It sounds like a great Career, just I'm not sure if I'll be a good enough electrician because reasons are: 1. I don't have any experience at all whatsoever 2. I'm getting better at math, but still not a pro at it. 3. I have a hard time learning things and it takes me a while to process information in general. The last two reasons are like question reasons: 4. What type of math would you need? 5.And how crazy hard will the math be?

Join the IBEW. It’s going to be the best career path you can take to become an electrician.

Thanks a whole lot! This video provided plenty of insight for the completion of my senior project and helped clear up the process of getting into this career. Senior year is pretty damn stressful, can't wait to be out in the real world.

I’m 28 come from a graphic designer background and have realized I enjoy working with my hands more than computers. I’ve been doing work for a carpenter but decided to dive into electric.

Ive been out of highschool for a year and im 20 now theres a vocational school near by im in southern cali hope everything goes well. Also great content new sub

Currently in the military but going to trade school to become an electrician after I get out next year. This video made it easy to understand how to go about this a lot better so thank you 😎

Thanks for this video. Today my son got told he starting his apprentice tomorrow. Why are Klein tools so hard to get in Australia. I love how honestly you talk about the trade. You made me think about starting a new job for myself.

I always enjoy your videos man. You're just so natural and very good at narrating and sharing your knowledge / experience

hahahah i love how your hand is talking this whole video

I’m a middle schooler and I wanted to be a electrician when I got older and I thought this is what I should start with anyone got any recommendations on how to start young

Just ran into this video. Admittedly, math isn't one of my strong suits these days, but I can brush up on that. At 30, I've got a decent job, but feel like I'm not really getting anywhere, there's no room for advancement. So I'm looking at getting into an electrician apprenticeship. Thanks for the info!

International brotherhood of electrical workers!! I'm a third year out of local 688 mansfield ohio. We in my local you are required have a basic tool list (hand tools only) it's five years you work, get paid and attend class one sometimes two nights a week. Your required to buy books each year, and a laptop to start. You go apply they give a aptitude test( like can you do math, can you understand what you read, can you understand patterns. If you passed that you are scheduled for a interview. The interview is members from N.E.C.A the I.B.E.W. and local contractors. They ask you a few questions and score you, they then average the scores. They then place this score(you) on a list of all people they have interviewed in the past two years. So on a scale of 1-100, you score a...96. someone else a year ago scored a 95, when apprentices are called to be placed you go before them. It took me seven months to begin work from application date. Once your placed they are required to give you work. At least 40 hours a week, if your company doesn't you can request to be relocated. All the time making money. When you make a level you get a pay raise, period. If you get laid off you start back at what you were making still have your benefits, still get the pay you were making. Really no money down, in our local I get college credit for free. I love my union, I love that one day I could be in a factory, then building a commercial new construction, then on the next day be fixing fire alarm in a hotel. All I guess I'm saying is if your an electrician or want to be, we all ( union/ non- union) have hacks. We all have really sharp, great guys that remember the first lightning bolt. Historically though union members have better benefits, pay, and training. In our local on average guys that come in from non- union that think they are journeyman test in as a third to fourth year. There are five years. We teach that much more!! I'm working with one now that thinks because he is old enough to be my father, he knows more. He doesn't know code, I was trained on codeology by the head electrical inspector for our county. But I digress , all I'm saying is union won't disappoint if you can be patient to start. To all electricians reading this , be safe , and do your best . Under it all we are ALL brothers.

I'm 15, I want to be an electrician, so I'm watching this

I will see video of you riding a skateboard around

Good video In Australia to become an electrician you have to do a 4 year apprenticeship and 3 years at trade school ( tafe) which is one day a week during your apprenticeship after your apprenticeship is successfully completed you dget your trade papers and become a tradesman then you apply for your licence after passing your capstone exam which is both theory and practical. You can also apply for your contractors licence. After that you can go to a training provider and after completing all the modules get your communications licence which allows you to do phones fibre cat 6 coax cabling etc

I’m 15 and I’m planning to start a construction company right out of high school. I’m definitely getting my license and then starting the company this helped so much

When do we get to see you ride the skateboard?

I'm 17, and i want to make bombs. This is really helpful

On a night where I'm home pondering over what the actual fuck I really wanna do with my life at this point and this video convinced me that I need to go to my local vocational school and become an electrician. Thank you, Mike. Very informative in those who are not just trying to plan the next 1-2 years as a residential electrician but for someone who's aspirations don't stop there.

20 now, didn’t know what I wanted to do until now. The change of scenery is what get me excited.

I just got hired in residential construction and I'm 18 with no experience, it helps if you have the basic tools

"1500 or 2000 dallors a year for school" the fawk? its really that cheap?

3 years later and this video was really helpful for me. I don't like where I am right now and it's good to have a little guidance.

19 still in highschool trying to figure out what I wanna do, I'm pretty mechanically inclined but dont wanna be a mechanic, but electric has always been a idea I like, everything from apartments to linemen. Working fast food over a year now and I enjoy it but I know I want something better

The pre apprenticeship class I took outright forced us to buy a set of tools they sold. That's one way to be ready for work - be forced to own a small collection of brand name (not shit) hand tools and a high quality tool belt.

I'm a Union Apprentice and it's not very hard to get into the union side of the trade if you possess common sense, have a pretty good knowledge in mathematics or the ability to learn more, have the ability to communicate with others. We had to apply at the union training center, a interview with a small group of the teachers, a 200 question aptitude test that we had to get done in under 4 hours, and finally a larger interview with owners of of the contractors and members of the union board. When I applied I was 17 and still in highschool and I made it through the first interview, the test and got to the final interview. At the final interveiw I was told that I was too young and that they wanted more mature people not ones that drink on work nights and show up late to work everyday. After that I applied at a really good nonunion contractor and got hired working with a journeyman electrician doing service calls and new construction gas stations. The unfortunate side to working for them I was out of town so much I didn't have a solid opportunity of going to school for a couple years. Just under a year after i got hired nonunion I got a letter in the mail offering me a position in the union apprenticeship at the age of 18 (I guess I was old enough then) with a full time job starting out and I took it and in the first year I made almost 40k which I was very happy with since most of my friends were lucky to make half that and I had all my education and training paid for through the union.

Very well said. Residential electrical ends up with a bit of a pay ceiling. Commercial is a step up. Industrial Electricity / Electronics troubleshooting is a bit of a Golden Goose. But yes, getting formal schooling is a huge accelerator. I started washing parts in an electric motor generator repair shop in 1982, and now I am a supervisor for a large company in a large industrial facility. It's very nice to know the inner workings of the equipment.

I agree, I made the decision in 1986 to pursue industrial electricity, motor control, and electronics as a career path. It has been very rewarding. Getting a very solid education in a trade school, from a very knowledgeable instructor, toward industrial motor control, and electronics is a more rewarding path than just pulling Romex through a house , taking years to hopefully learn a few things from watching some other guy at work.

Im 18 and this is what I want to do with my life

Contemplating dropping out of University and doing this, I'm in my 3rd year studying graphic design but idk if I wanna go through with that anymore

I’m a dispatcher been pushing meat for 10years and now have decided to take on an apprenticeship through my Job I’m currently at. This video just makes my decision much easier. Great video and great advise 🔥👍🏾🙏🏾

I'm 28 looking to change my career, this was helpful thank you!

I'm going to go to trade school to get my electrical technician and then apply for apprenticeship. That way I already have a idea of what I'm doing and experience and some hours towards apprenticeship 😊

What exactly do you mean when you say “go to school” i need specifics. I understand the concept of being an apprentice for 4-5 or more years before you can become a journeyman. But is there a specific school for electrical work or career centers? Please help lol

im 14 and in a tech school and i am going to choose the electrical program. i am excited to join the trade and learn as much as i can

The old days sound intriguing to me.

do you find yourself dealing with a lot of math?

It's interesting to hear about how it works in the states when you're in highschool and want to get into the trades. I'm from canada (ontario) and i'm in 11th grade and we have what's called a placement or a coop education. Like for instance this semester I'm in school but instead of having classes, i only have a placement. So I actually work for an electrical company everyday for the whole semester.

Thank you Sir for this video I am Nicholas and planning to become an Electrician so I am encouraged Thank You

I knew what I wanted, but didn't know how to go about doing it. The internet did not exist and college guidance counselors were no help. I would still happily be an apprentice if I was learning and someone would hire a 52 year old.

I thought about being a welder, but I decided to become an electrician instead. Being a welder is more dangerous imo and you can get injured in this trade. In the end, both welders and electricians will experience electricity. Even experience a variety of tools. I want to be an electrician so I can convert renewable energy to AC and I know that AC means deadly current that travels side to side. Welders know AC as a means to circumvent arc blow. Anyway, when I'm done with autobody repair, I'm moving over to electrical maintenance then become the jack of all trades.

The US seems to have very few regulations. Unbelievable... In Germany it is very different: 1. apply for an apprenticeship 2. get hired as apprentice by company 3. for three years you will be given 50% practical training (on site) and 50% theoretical training (school) 4. you have to pass 2 exams (one mid-term one final) 5. exams will also be practical and theoretical 6. learn and apply yourself. (and enjoy your monthly paycheck) 7. passed the exam? congrats, you're a journeyman YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WORK AS AN ELECTRICIAN ANYWHERE IN GERMANY IF YOU ARE NOT A JOURNEYMAN That would be against the law. No company will hire you if you are not AT LEAST a journeyman. (unless they want to invest in training you so you can become a journeyman) Apprentices are not allowed to work on electrical circuits in germany. You have to study for 3 years to become a journeyman. if you fuck up your exam you get a second chance half a year later. If the company grants you that chance. If you fuck up again a company will most likely let you go. Because you cost money and are useless to them as you are not allowed to work on circuits. It seems INSANE to me that in the US you can just DECIDE to be an electrician and that's it. Sure you CAN educate yourself. But you don't have to. Just gain experience. If you do extremely dangerous things and risk the safety and life of you and others it's not a big deal. Gotta gain experience, Holy fuck...

In High school I wanted to become an accountant. I am now one year out of school, was a trainee accountant from January until the end of October. The job was really boring. I work now as an apprentice electrician and I enjoy it much more than I thought that I would.

Damn man I never realized your in Maryland. I'm in va. I went to vo tech and that was the best thing I've did. I knew college wasn't for me. The first year (sophomore year) we were in electrictal for half a day every day. The next year (junior year) we took class first semester and worked 3 full days a week week for a local electrictal company that hired all 8 of us in the class, by summer 3 of us stayed there.I worked all that summer. And did that my senior year too. It helped me so much. And I never did residental besides class. Can't stand it. I like running conduit too much.