A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN ELECTRICIAN | ADVICE and Q&A ON HOW TO BECOME AN ELECTRICIAN
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- Опубликовано: 23 янв 2023
- I had a blast going to work with my husband, Ethan. He discusses the realities of being a electrician in a predominantly white field. He also breaks down how he became an electrician, the differences between types of electrical work, advice and tips for anyone who wants to become an electrician, and much much more. Follow his IG @ethantipoteh_ where he usually posts more of his industrial work on his IG stories.
Feel free to ask questions and let me know if you guys would like a Q&A. 🤗
#electrician #blackelectrician #journeyman #constructionworker #blackgirlsrocks #dayinthelife #electricworker #workvlog #electricianvlog #husbandwifelovestatus #husbandwiferealtion
I’ve recently started college and after my first semester I wanna drop out and go in a trade cause it reminded me why I hated high school , I like learning and love using my hands and thought what could I do that could be both and thought huh why not go to school to be a electrician , recently started watching videos and trying to see the pros and cons , a lot of videos are white men talking but I clicked this video and this has been the most educational video yet, and probably made me make my decision, I was watching one video and it said you have to be good at math , but I’m not the best , is that a true statement? Either way I wanna thank you and your husband and may god bless y’all and y’all family
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?
For him being your significant other, you interviewed him very professionally. You asked the right questions and he gave you very detailed and down to earth answers.
Thank you so much, we really appreciate it! 🙏🏽
As a fellow black electrician it’s extremely refreshing to see more and more of us! Wishing the best for you and your husband! Loved the video.
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
I consider my self Mexican American and I feel happy to see my fellow brothers as electricians. Good job man and good to see you and your wife.
Same
Thank you so much that means a lot to me I always wanted to pursue electrician and become a journeyman as well
We electricians hit the jack pot I feel by picking this trade as a career were gonna have work for many many years to come and the industry is always changing and growing with technology much love from midland texas and from one sparky to another keep up the good work
Absolutely! Thanks so much, you as well!
Love to see it ! black men with a trade and a black wife ✊🏾
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.
Thanks brother I have been a industrial maintenance technician for 8years. Haven’t been well because of racism in Virginia. I am now pursuing just to do electrical so I can start my own business. It’s sad what we go through as black men in the field but I needed this inspiration to keep going. Thanks alot to you guys!
Make sure he gets his journeyman . It’s not many black electricians in the trade don’t give them a reason to pay you less than if he goes to another company. Keep up the good work , respect . Keep showing him love he may not say it but some days being a electrician is tuff mentally and physically.
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
Glad I came across your video. I agree there aren't many black folk in the trades itself. I myself trained 2 years carpentry, 1 Electrical, and 1 Masonry. I got away from building but I felt that it is a skill that I must use to get to a certain place and shouldn't have abandoned it. Great video, keep them coming.
shoutout to y'all, sending love from New Orleans! I'm an electrician as well and it's always a pleasure seeing us doing what we love and satisfying customers! Blessings
I’m loving it, love the support she’s giving and the fact that she went to work with him that’s awesome.
Thanks so much!
1:37
l'm a subformen 23 years in the trade union electrician journeyman and a black man it's not easy for us out there... keep up the hard work Boss 💪🏾
This video is amazing! Im a professional welder graduated 04/19 looking to become an electrician. I turn 30 next year and think this would be a great second trade to have under my belt. Thank you for all the information given in this video and I look forward to seeing more content from you guys. I love the energy and everything else put into making this. Keep going! #Subscribed
I'm also well aware of the racial disparities of "who you know" and I''m a black male wanting to become an electrician to support my family and have a father son duo one day as well. God bless you all and thank you for the video
Thank you so much. Yes the racial disparities in this field are too common. I wish you the best of luck on your journey!
New subscriber here, I'm an electrician from Ghana 🇬🇭.
Awesome! My husband is Liberian! 🇱🇷
@@ethanroberts092 good to hear.
@@ethanroberts092I’m part Liberian too 🇱🇷💯 from the Kpelle tribe
I’m finally blessed with the opportunity to study Electrical installations; please please please keep putting out content📈👏🏾🙏🏾🏆. This has really inspired me to be quite honest. Thank you guys!!!
Awesome video! I’m starting my electrician journey as an apprentice this month and super excited to start.
Enjoyed the interview dynamic. Nice to see I’m not the only electrician having these convos with the wife. Some stuff just isn’t worth explaining.
I retired in October 2020 after 50 years as an Industrial electrician having worked for the biggest companies in the country and worked on the largest sites in the country
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.
This was amazing for me to watch. Thank you for the insight and inspiration. Im 33, black and really thinking about entering into the trade but I dont know anyone who is in the industry.
I'm glad that the youtube algorithm lead me to this video. Recently, I've been looking into getting into the electrical trade and this vid opened my eyes. I'm 21 and Im ready to set my foundation looking into this career . It's really motivational to see another black man breaking barriers to care of his fam. I appreciate y'all for sharing this content with us.‼
It's always nice to see someone encouraging others to get into the trade. Its hard work but it's great work. Thanks for this.
Thank you for a great, informative video. Good luck to your husband on his path to his Journeyman's card.
I really admire everyone in the electrical trade who really know their stuff and can produce beautiful work even though most customers don’t know what they are looking at. My question to your husband would be: what is available to homeowners who want to take some basic electrical courses to be able to tackle on small electrical projects like updating receptacles and switches. Hands on experience on how to make perfect terminations. Are there electrical seminars available to homeowners?
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. RUclips 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 RUclips is great! I hope this helped at least a little bit!
This was a great video! Brilliant information from someone who is in the trade thank you!
Wonderful content!!! I just so happen to come across your vide because my husband is considering this field & the balance of energy was perfect! You asked awesome questions and the answers were really helpful! As a Black woman supporting my Black husband as he navigates this new world (he's from Ghana) this video was golden!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!!
i wanna be an electrician after high school i cant wait
Thank you so much .. I’m thinking about becoming a electrician soon here in GA
Thank you 🙏. Considering getting into electrical work and this was a very informative video 👍
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.
Respect bro keep it up ,nice to see a wife intrested in her husband job love it❤💪
Wow this guy is a great electrician!
It's very interesting to learn how different all of that is in other countries. Over here in Austria you need to be a master electrician to start your own business in that field.
Nice to see good brother keep going 💪🏾
Tradesman definitely is worth of love! Y’all keep it up.
Hi Brother, I am electrician and I started in 1978 in Republic of Trinidad . Electrical is very good trade. I study on my own. I have study more PLC.
While I am interested to know what issues you may have faced, in the field from other sparkies particularly and maybe even customers, but I know when I first started, in my study materials it mentioned a few times that networking is crucial in these sorts of jobs. That might be why the people you mentioned know a lot of other people. It's who you know like you said, and I mean I'm not even fully qualified yet lol. I'm in the UK, looking to migrate to Canada in the near future, when I found out how many years you need before you can be an electrician I wanted to cry, but I'm not giving up. This is the absolute king of trades, and I *know* you can never go hungry if you can work with your hands. Love your vids fella.
Good luck in your career,,, 40 years in ,I’m still enjoying working with Electricity !!
I have questions for sure this was great
Yea I LOVE rainy days
This was a great video and I appreciate both of you providing insight for us. Do you have any tips for becoming an electrician after working as a generator mechanic? Would that help advance my career faster?
Great video guys
Thanks so much!
I love this brother.
Commercial wireman is the proper terminology or journeyman wireman and when he was talking about the wire, he was talking about 750 MCM, and probably needing a torque wrench for the lugs
How can you use a impact to to tighten screw terminals. Are the green pliers even voltage rated?
I appreciate his attention to detail. That said, I must ask what is the need for taping in a plastic box? But again, his attention to sound craftsmanship is respectable
Thank you so much! Ethan said its a habit but for safety reasons he likes to tape it. 👍🏽
The brother just needs to keep going don’t stop. Become a master Electrician can you say 70 to 80,000 a year and even more with his own business.
Thank you!
bath on same circuit as kitchen? In Washington state that's not allowed according to the NEC code book or the WAC
Love ⚡️
prompts to you for joining your husband in a day of his work! this would definitely help the partnership you both have.
Thank you so much. It was really fun and helped me understand more of what he does!
21yrs old and About Start Trade For Eletrican/HVAC👏🏾Thanks For Gems
Please do a q and A I have an interview with the ibew union in 2 weeks and would love any insight into what makes a good apprentice I’ll be doing inside wireman which I believe covers almost everything other than low voltage and line man stuff
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 👍🏽
Nice breakdown for the new ones, keep on going, need more minorities in the trade, been in trade since 2001 and recently got my C-10 in California.
Thank you! I 100% agree their needs to be more of us. And congrats on receiving your C-10!
I’m commercial and I hate residential too! Industrial and commercial look down on the residential grunts😂😂
The truth is that residential is equally important. I appreciate all electricians bc it’s a grind. Expect for those low voltage guys they don’t know what real work is😜
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.
finishing up school in June and hopefully starting an apprenticeship soon after. any general advice for ppl our color ?
As somebody that had no idea/experience as an electrician, I’m getting into an apprenticeship! I’m excited and want to learn but will the learning curve be too difficult with really no prior knowledge ?
Blessings
I started in the trade, and I didn’t stick with it. I am thinking about coming back. I sell insurance now on the side, my day job.
Haha, he knew he was gonna get called out for using the impact!
I'll add not cutting the ears on that GFI in the cut in box and not using a square drive.
He made a great point about father and son teams, I'm trying to get my daughters in it too.
Some industrial work is good, but he didn't mention anything about being stuck on a lift all shift and having to maneuver around a running shop or how much it sucks being on a roof on a hot/windless or cold/wet/windy day.
They all have ups and downs. All together, I'll take industrial jobs. You get to get shit done.
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.
Yeah I'm currently an apprentice. And have met people that have done time time.
how are you liking it so far?
@@nickstephens6933 meh, it's something and maybe it can be more.
Im starting a trade for program here in California in a few days, its hard to get on RUclips and find folks that look like me giving knowledge and understanding of the field from our point of view, please keep making videos and more videos if you can this is true motivation for me coming into this start, trying to mak it on my own your wife and yourself are beautiful together I hope the best for you guys and your Youth, I hope to find your email or different avenues to connect with you to ask questions or even other topics thanks for this god bless you guys.
Every one is seeing color (race) I'm seeing a cool dude knows what he wants and is great at his craft making money congrats bro.I'm an Electrician 24 yrs started doing residential now I'm in industrial myself it's awesome bro you get it industrial is bigger and heavier shit and residential is dirty and fast passed less money but you learn to trouble shoot and understand code violations 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
I got my electrician certification last October i wanna make the jump to try it but i feel like there is so much more that i need to learn so making that jump has me nervous in a way. I did enjoy it and will like to pursue it. How was your first experience getting your first job in the trade.
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.
Gr8 video.
Thank you!
Being an IBEW union inside wireman is the best way to learn the trade, earn as you learn. But if you learned non union, you can always try to join an IBEW local union. Im a retired IBEW journeyman inside wireman, and working in the IBEW was the best decision i could have made, with excellent pay, benefits, and a very good pension.
What do you do now? What it be wise to do the ibew for the 5 years and transition to industrial or plc?
🔥🔥🔥
Question to any experienced sparkies: 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?! Are they only found in the union? Is the union worth it? I need to know. I know they are out there, I’d ask my dad but he himself doesn’t quite know either. I am 26 years old.
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
How much do you guys make as an electrician in your area and how many years of experience do you have?
I have been an industrial commercial residential electrician and now contractor for almost 40 years run while you can lol
is it hard?, im probably gonna sign up to do pre employment electrician
Your services will continue to be in much higher demand due to the lack of younger people getting into the trades. Think about the percentage of young people today that will call an electrician to change a receptacle or light, call a plumber to replace a lavatory faucet, even call AAA to change their flat tire because they don't know how.
I have been a state unlimited licensed electrical contractor for over 30 years with over 20 of those years an electrical and architectural engineer. The younger generation looks down on the trades, thinking that small chance of being social media famous is the better option. Little do they know, some of the trades with experience and choosing the right path pays more than jobs with 4-8 years college degrees.
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.
I’m an industrial maintenance technician where I do a lot of electrical work/ troubleshooting. How does he recommend I go full electrician
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.
What would be the cheapest route for me to become an electrician?
Hey, what school he go to? I live in NJ too
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
He’s the most amazing electrician ever!! Thanks sis! 💗💗💗
Hey are you guys located in NJ?
I’m an apprentice and I drive an hour and a half everyday to and from work. My wife doesn’t think it’s worth it.. if you could make a video or even leave a comment letting her know I’m not crazy
Keep these videos coming I need to see more black people doing this very good information
Is going to collage for electrician better then applying for a electricen job better ?
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.
I am a master myself in the states of Texas and Florida
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
What brand pants are those that he has?
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!
Here for the "backstab" comments
I never did an apprenticeship either
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
NO LOOPS?????
I’m 20 want to start
Question: his thoughts on women becoming an electrician? Does he think that women have the same opportunity as men in the electrical field?
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.
You're so funny. You little pop locking robot you.
W wife
Yall fucked in that house didn’t ya😂👍
crazy comment💀
Residential sucks. I hate working on houses. I like commercial/industrial
How are you and doing
@vernaelaine8694 do you have to be good at math and what kind of math is worth mastering
This a great question! He will answer in the Q&A 👍🏽
General algebra. Ohms law, logarithms and powers