Why Should You be an Electrician? - EU On the Road 

My Dad always knew I would eventually become an electrician, cuz I used to play with electrical things around our house all the time, and excelled at electricity in school. It ended up happening by chance. My Dad and I were renovating a building to become our karate dojo, and a local electrician came to do the wiring. I was tasked with cutting holes in the floors for heating vents, and carelessly cut through a 3/3 cable feeding a panel. my saw blade evaporated upon cutting into it, and I felt like an idiot. I thought I knew how to fix it, so I got a box, and some big marrettes, and junctioned it back together. The electrician saw it instantly when he came in, and asked, "What's that?". I confessed and told him what happened. He got a ladder out, and climbed up to look at it. Upon removing the cover he was immediately impressed with how I did it, commented it was not to code, but was well done. He turned to me and said, "Want a job?". I am now the designated master electrician for my company, taking over for the man that originally hired me, after he retired. I freakin' love my job.

I'm so glad that I decided to become an electrician 20 years ago. I basically wasted 4 years in college getting a degree in something that I ultimately wasn't even interested in. Oh well you live and you learn. 🤷‍♂️

I did the same thing in the culinary field for 12+ years, at 33 decided to join the local electrician's union and follow in my father and grandfather's footsteps...Only regret in life is why I didn't start sooner.

Started working at 17 the Monday after I graduated, was supposed to be a “summer job” before college and after 2 months told my parents i will not be going to college because I wanted to become an electrician. Parents were furious because they thought i was making the wrong choice but i stuck with my choice and now four years later i’m so glad I didn’t let them talk me out of it.

Started 2 years ago at 45. Wish I’d done this a long time ago. Running my own van now for new construction, remodel, troubleshooting etc. Love it.

I was stuck working dead end jobs and I went to a trade school to learn electrical and becoming an electrician was the best thing that happened to me. Now I’m on track to owning my own electrical company

I’m 26 years old and For the past 4 years I’ve been a physical therapist assistant and I’ve recently started a career as an electrical helper. I love my new job and learning something new everyday. I’m working towards reaching my goal of becoming an apprentice and eventually a master. I just wish I started sooner

I am a retired second generation sparky who enjoyed my 50 years in this great trade. When I was 10 years old my dad would take me on jobs. First just cleaning up and being a gopher. While in vo tech school me and another 10th grader rewired a 3 story row house. Had to chisel out solid walks to install wire and pull up floor boards. After that we were doing a few 100 amp services a year. Had an adult tie in the service cable to Ultility wires. Even got to play electrician while in Nam. Please do not enter any job just for the decent or high pay. Probably the best trade for moonlighting. Best to be great at troubleshooting especially but you get into industrial work. One customer loved me because I could usually troubleshoot and repair the 500 ton injection molding machines he had. Would take up to a week to get the company technician out there. Any monkey can break their back running large average conduit runs but a lot easier on your body when you get older to troubleshoot.

As soon as I got outta high school not knowing what I wanted to do with my life at that point, I didn't wanna waste time and money on going to college... So I went onto the road with my uncle being his helper doing industrial work, and now onto my 6th year I am licensed in Utah, Wyoming, and Texas.... I certainly love what I do and haven't looked back at it!!!!!

I’m 20 years old and started my apprenticeship for local 26🙏🏻

Currently an Aircraft Electrician in the Air Force and transitioning to civilian Electrician in Illinois in the next 1.5 years. Excited for the transition for sure.

I'm not an official electrician but specialized low voltage working with Theatrical Lighting systems. I love the job for the troubleshooting aspect and that I get to work with electricians all the time and learn things that I can use later. I certainly am tempted to make the move to being an electrician. Also, thanks for all your content as it has helped me a lot in being to talk with electricians and understand their job in order to work smoothly with installing the theatrical systems.

I'm so glad i took the chance on joining the ibew. I've been doing it for 5 months now and i love every minute of it. I'm eager to see what more is to come and start classes. Wasted 9 years in dealerships as a teamster

i love the way your editting your videos and adding in animations, clips of what you're doing, you actually talking and background videos and all that. makes it feel more neat and personal but not too over the top.

Really enjoy watching and hearing what your thoughts are on these types of things! I am a single dad that is also in the trade and it really did find a way into my life and gave me a career! Keep it up brotha I will keep an eye out on all your videos as usual!

Thank you bro I watch almost all your videos and decided start working electrician helper. Almost 3 months and I’m really enjoying my job. You help me a lot.

Ive been thinking about going back to school for a trade job. It was between welding and electrician.And ive been watching your videos for the last month and it has made me want to become a electrician. Honestly the different roads you can take in being a electrician. Its amazing. Just wanna say thank you for all your videos and the information you give in each one.

I drive to work…the shop is on a farm…on top of a mountain…man I get the best sunrises! Then I get to go make people so happy and excited (fixing problems and powering up their new homes)… Wow…spot on: 4 years as an apprentice I was far beyond a rookie. My boss even paid for school.

You’re doing such a great job with your videos! Keep up the good work!!!

My dad and his brothers had a commercial construction company in northern Ontario, Canada, they work hard for over 40 years to build that business. My dad told my as i was 16 working for him, get a trade ticket. I fell into electrical as a labourer for a traffic light company in my home town. Got my ticket from that and worked there for 10 years. Then i got employed as a maintenance electrician at my local university, wow...eye opener to the big picture of all aspects of our trade. Now i tell and young person that is thinking of electrical, is the same as you, the more experience you have the better . I'm still trying to figure my craft at 46 years old...crazy what we see after contractors finish a reno, but we're left to maintain and research issue and products...something management never understands. Love your channel, and your bang on with your advice..keep it up.

I've got 2 years + as an apprentice electrician and I have learned so much. I work for a master electrician between DC & Baltimore and we do alot of both. One day I could be swapping a ceiling fan in a bedroom & the next wiring food packaging machines. I love it !!!!

I have been an electrician apprentice for three months now, doing industrial with a small team of electricians. Super exciting work each day and definitely recommend anyone out there to go for it.

I wish I had seen this video 20 yrs ago. I did the whole college thing. I have 3 degrees and never used any of the material that was “required” for the degrees. $70k in debt later I would have gone into the trades for sure. Trades give you experience and make you more valuable. College gives experiences for your memories. The Fraternity parties were sweet. 😁

Wow you nailed it Dustin. I'm just turned out JW but been loving this trade for 15 yrs ish. There is so much to learn, it's really unlimited. I'm doing ADA bathroom control systems in a huge assisted living project, so I might be doing door access systems for a long time

Doing service calls for mostly residential in New England you see tons of whacky stuff. I learned a ton because these are some of the oldest homes in America. I love doing knob and tube removal. It’s dirty as hell but you learn all sorts of tricks and how things used to be done. I want to get more into the commercial side of it now. It truly never ends on what you can learn.

I'm 46 yrs old, an above knee amputee and currently in a 1 year electrical trade school trying to learn this interesting field...you have been a great instructor to follow and please keep up the great work and videos..you are very inspiring...

27 years old working a decent office job from home. Getting incredibly bored with it but have had a lot of fun working on electrical systems in my own home. Hoping to be able to find a job as an electrician apprentice sometime in the next year.

I feel like you're my older self as an electrician, thank you for you videos. I am learning so much!!!

Thank you Dustin you helped me learn a lot I am applying for trade school this morning and this was a good Pep talk because it makes me nervous trying new things lol

First 1:31 and he spoke on my exact situation. I was lost and when I got a job at DURO Electric because of a friend ,my life changed. Even my mentality and how I cared myself and my level of respect for labor workers grew. definitely best decision I made . Was sticking with being a electrician. I love it

Man I literally had this conversation with my journey two days ago. I went the trade school route but finished during covid. I basically just started as a helper/apprentice and I absolutely love the work. Coming from restaurants which are a really toxic, entering a trade where I’m learning a skill every single day is so refreshing! Keep up the good work Dustin!

I started in production in a factory when I was 18 as a temp. I had no idea what I wanted to or what I wanted to be and thought I'd work there until I figured it out. A couple years in, a machine maintinance position opened and I got it! I had no idea what I was doing. Never knew what 3 phase was, PLCs, transformers, nothing. I am now on year 11 and I am a senior controls engineer. I spec, build, wire and program control cabinets for machines. I don't even know how many I've trained with college degrees that know almost nothing coming in. It still baffles me how much they don't teach them! So glad I chose this field! It has opened a ton of doors I never imagined I would have open and so much job security!

This video is so relatable man it’s crazy.

I have to admit you and Roger Wakefield have inspired me to really wants to become a tradesman but right now I am working as a handyman making more than I would as an apprentice because I have 6 mouths to feed. Maybe one day but it certainly doesn’t feel like today.

Love this cant wait to start

I found u from ur first channel but u and roger Wakefield really help me get in to the trade and ultimately decide to be come an election I start my apprenticeship in January with the ibew I appreciate u bro bout to turn 23 so I’m happy found this as early as I did

I started in residential new construction & after 6 months I became a foreman I had 1 time opportunity & took it, then I got an offer a year to work as a journeyman for a different company doing a lot of service calls & working with motors & comercial & now I have my test on the 20th to get my C10 & start my own company 🙏🏼🙏🏼 your videos have helped me thank you so much

I had no idea what I wanted to do and I went to an interview at a small family owned company because the ad said "No experience required, we train you". I didn't know a damn thing about wires, but I knew how to use hand tools and read a tape measure so they gave me a chance. This past summer I was in charge of a complete power re-feed on an air traffic control tower to isolate the critical power system that controls the ASDE. Looking back, I'm not really sure if I'd do anything different if I could do it all over again.

i got to 23 years old and still didn't know what to do with my life so i went to trade school for electrical. Did residential electrical for 5 or so years mostly old work diagnosing problems, adding circuits, rewires etc. With that experience i got into my local transportation company working on signaling for our train/ railroad system. It's become the best decision of my life.

Bruh this guy is the bees knees and fux wit him. I wish I could work with or for him one day. But I've totally coped a mass amount of knowledge from him. You're fire bro.

I'm commercial hvac tech and I watch some of your videos and it's helpful another good trade is commercial hvac I make about 100k a year

I'm a first year sparky and love love your videos dude you're my go to guy for videos like these

I'm on the construction side & when the job is almost done we always gotta trouble shoot stuff that people didn't do right so you still get a experienced on troubleshoot lying in the new construction side

Great video. I have 25 years in building trades in several roles but many of them as a commercial facilities maint. guy, (started out framing houses), and the last 5 as an electrician. I've worked for a Master and a Journeyman. I hustle on my own doing light commercial and residential work, recently installed a subpanel and wired a kitchen, lighting to appliances, moving circuits, 3 way and 4 way switching (all on my own and to code), I was thinking today just what the hell am I doing. I've got 3 apprentice cards from my state (Michigan) and I look forward to the day I can get someone to green light me and send me off to take my journeyman test. I've always been independent-minded, somewhat of a quick study, and never afraid to hustle to make a dollar. Problem is, I've flown under the radar for several years now, been on a totally non-traditional route(meaning no record of hours, but enrolled in a training program I pay for). I tried getting in with my local, but for whatever reason, even after testing extremely well, never heard from them after 2 interviews. So I went to work for non-union guys, and I've learned a shit ton, been in all sorts of environments and worked alongside union guys moonlighting, I guess what I am trying to figure out is how do I get from a to b, and b meaning Journeyman. Maybe like you say, don't be in such a rush, just keep doing it. At the very least, I now get respect from the Master I've worked for, and the journeyman, so nobody can take the knowledge away from me. Dig your videos, and I learn something or see a better method every time I watch one. Keep up the solid work!!!

I agree with the construction 1st service 2nd. You ahould have the knowledge of how something works/is put together, so when its broken (as in service work) you know how its supposed to work so you can fix it.

Your story is awesome and sounds like mine. I was recently fired from the electrical company I was at but I felt what you felt when you said “ I worked there but I didn’t like it”. I’ve been in the restaurant industry forever too. If there any way you can offer some advice for a 3 month electrical apprentice that would be awesome. Thanks man.

I love the enthusiasm in the comments of those aspiring to become electricians. It's an excellent trade.

I'm learning on the construction side to start with, and seeing how it fits me, and then I think I would like most to swap to maintenance/service where I have consistent hours if I make it through this.

That was really nice I think if I had a chance to start all over again I would become electrician it's a rewarding job...👍

Nice chat ... Thx ...

I'm an apprentice now. My goal is to get my journeymans and a work van and just live and work out that bad boi. More details to come as this plan gestates

Great video, the Van….oh man…those pro masters…damn!!!! Electrician as a job…hmmm…love it!

So proud of you your amazing

Did retail, warehouse, manufacturing, dealership mechanic for like 10 years until I was 28 years old. Finally took the step to get into the field. Did 3 months probation as an ET and got into the apprentice program. Now I’m two years in and have no regrets. Wish I would’ve done this straight outta high school but being a minority (Asian American) we didn’t really have people teaching us about the trade. No regrets!!!!

I've been doing electrical for the past few years and what you said about take your time and slow down is exactly what I've been looking to hear. I have been trying to adopt that mentality over the past year. I'm impatient and want to learn everything quick to become independent in my trade. But what you said about only being a residential electrician, my last boss (3 years) and current boss ( my current boss does a good bit of service and I feel lost and stupid when doing it although I've done most of what we do in new construction) only do residential these days and I want to break into commercial? Should I explore other job options doing that work? He rarely does commercial and when he does it is basic work shop type stuff. Also, I sometimes feel like I forget some of the most basic shit. For instance I have wired up new Ballasts in 4 foot fixtures in banks, gas stations, ect. a bunch of times, but I always forget how to do it next time I have to. Is my memory bad or am I just expecting too much of memory? I plan to be certified and licensed and own an electrical company someday. This is what I want to do with the rest of my life. If there is things I can be doing in my free time to learn more about this trade what should I be doing or studying? Is there any good practice books for becoming a Journeyman electrician? Thanks for any info if you or anyone else replies. Keep up the good videos, I have learned from them all.

Was working at a mine for close to 11 years before it had a 1 year shut down. 35 and starting a electical apprenticeship figure I should change careers 🤷‍♂️. Never too late for a change. The company I'm working for does a bit of everything, from data to fire alarm, to security, construction, service calls.

Great job!!!

I love being an electrician. I started at 16 doing commercial new construction and now I’m 22 doing mostly solar about to test for my masters.

Lovely description 👌

In competitive markets or cities getting a apprenticeship is hard and some do end taking a course just to get a upper hand over other candidates. Lots of companies don't register you as well. If they hire you and you have zero construction experience then you might be just cleaner and digger for like year or two. That's not bad because you have to "pay your dues" but you don't learn anything. Some companies when you even ask to learn or do something they might just say we don't have time to teach. I started in resi (cleaning, digging and drilling holes). Then to solar ( plug and play). I didn't get my solid experience until I got condos and commercial (stores) with my third company. Now I'm with my fourth company and I'm doing a giant commercial site running wire and conduit all day I'm happy because I'm learning a new skill. My advice if your company just does one thing or doesn't teach or more importantly you have learned everything you can with that company then find another company. EDIT : FYI this is just MY experience and opinion from working in the GTA (greater Toronto area), Canada.

I retired this year from a maintenance electrician job at a college in California. Got a nice pension and activated my C10 license. Small jobs here and there to keep me busy and the $$ is great. I’m so glad I became an electrician a long time ago. 👍

It always crack me up when you say, I think it’s RAD!

I have been an industrial electrician for 6 years now. I love my job and love learning new things everyday. The only thing I regret is not working under a master electrician. Now if I want to become a master electrician which I do now, the only way is to start over. I went to the trade school and received a degree in industrial systems technology. Even after my education and years of experience, I’m still required to work under a master electrician in order to receive a license.

Excellent video

I’m currently in the hvac field but I’m curious to branching off and starting electrical

I have been watching your vids for a while now, im 23 and have been an apprentice for a about a year and honestly I'm not totally sure if I wanna do this forever, I feel lost in life rn. Not wanting to go to college but not sure what I'm doing in life.

I’m in hvac now been doing it for 4 years now and I’m wanting to switch trades and do electrical

Man your videos help me so much. I just wish I could talk to you one on one. I’m in a unordinary position in my life/career and you would be able to answer every question I have. I’ve been an electrician for 4-4 1/2 years now and this video really spoke to me. I do residential and commercial and service both and I feel that I am well seasoned beyond my years but aren’t appreciated enough and under paid, like I said my situation is very very unordinary. IF YOU SEE THIS PLEASE REACH OUT! I would love the opportunity to talk to you a bit. Thanks

If I quit my job, I would probably become an electrician next. 😁

It's crazy. There's only 3 people in their 20s doing electrical in Dublin, GA(Small town 3 hours south of Atlanta). The Nobody my age wants to work in this field around here. They'd rather work at a dead end job

Good advices

Cool intro!!

A Dodge van has autopilot! I like how Dustin talks with his hands even when he's driving don't worry bro you're great keep up the good work but please watch where you're going

I went from a well paid food and beverage manager to being a poop paid electrician. Not sure if I want to stay in this business. I like the work, just haven’t found the money in it. Any advice, I live in northern NJ.

what the mode of your VAN? could you recommend a van for electrician for using, please?

Ugh I hate that you are right about education and it being somewhat of a waste depending on where you want to go with your life (I have a masters degree so, not shitting on education, BUT I would likely have been making money faster if I had done an apprenticeship and went into the trades). Also the no debt puts you years ahead in your finances...food for thought. So I also love that you are right! Trades have been so underappreciated over the last couple decades...but times are changing.

I finished a trade school and found an industrial/comercial company who does mostly services calls. Is that a bad way to start since I’ve never done residential other than one side job with my brother. Worked with 480volts service call on the first day

Question. So I’m currently going to school to become and electrician and getting a cert. in both plumbing and HVAC. I also wanted to pursue an electrical engineer degree. Do you think the money would be better with an engineering degree or know all 3 of the trades ?

Your channel rules. Wish I could work for ya dude

I’m in 10th grade and my dream job is to be an electrician

I have been doing electrical and mechanical maintenance at Michelin for the last 10 years. Working rotating shifts. I'm looking to work for an electrical company but don't have a license. It's hard trying to figure out what to do. I live near columbia sc.

So I have a question, I have a surge protector breaker on my panel but I've recently came across surge protector Receptacles, can I install those also for added protection?

Hello, How to become a master electricianr and what would be the books (besides the code) to study for the exam.

I’m currently in school to be an electrician and have 1 year left (since Covid I didn’t have an opportunity for an apprenticeship because of layoffs unless you had previous experience, or a degree) my question is; I currently go to school in the US and am trying to get a job overseas in Europe. I’d like to leave the US eventually but I’ve heard there are problems when trying to transfer work experience to other countries, so I feel a sense of urgency in finding the right job in the right place first. I’m wondering if you had any advice or if anyone does know a thing or 2 about this kind of problem. Any information is good information, thank you✌🏼 I feel this kind of “traveling electrician” deal isn’t the most common thing people in trades face (or atleast I don’t see a lot of people talk about it or even acknowledge it as an option, besides maybe local travel through unions/non) but people always say people in trades can go anywhere since it’s work that needs to be done anywhere building is being done. I just don’t know where I want to live yet/start a family and want to see as much as possible, all while doing a job which I love.

Hey man I love your videos and I am excited to begin an apprenticeship soon. Thing is, I hope to work in a managment position for a company someday or perhaps start my own company, so would it be worth while to complete a two near degree in construction managemnt. I don't want to go 4 years because I don't want that kind of debt. I have a lot of pressure from my parents and grandparents to go to college so I think I don't have much choice and want to study what has the most value for the shortest period. possible.

If you had to place a sub panel that would have 2- 40Amp 240V breakers, and 1- 20Amp 120V breaker... what size wire should this be fed with?

Are you ever around in the central Texas area?? I’m from temple Texas working for a company out of Austin !

I’m graduating high school. I don’t know if I’m mechanically inclined because I haven’t used a tool beyond a screwdriver and hammer. Never stripped wire or done anything electrical. Can this be learned at a tech school and as a helper or do you have to have to be “born with it”?

Im an hvac guy. My electrician had 13 jobs the other day😂 lots of work

You don't walk into new construction and just ad-lib toss electrical circuits wherever you want to. You follow plans. Plan made by an electrical engineer. You do what we(EEs) direct you to do in that situation and do it to code. An EE is not such a bad thing to be.

Do you have an opinion on the IBEW, because I’m going to school right now to be an electrician and my teachers keep hammering us about going to the IBEW.

Best decision I ever made. Went from being an EMT making $13/hr to 1st Year Electrical apprentice making $22/hr on scale wage.

What kind of work can you get as a traveling electrician? Don’t you have to be licensed in each state you work in? Doing this part time while traveling the US in retirement seems interesting.

how long have you guys been in austin ?

I want to become an apprentice here in my hometown of LA but I'm working in my dad's landscaping business and he wouldn't be able to complete all the work he has on his own

I am an electrical engineer but i am interested in CS and i would like to study machine learning too so i am little bit confused

I need information on how to move to Oregon from California and getting my license over there.

I’ve been working as an electrician helper for just about a year now and just got a job as an Electrician Apprentice doing Industrial construction and service work for a private company. Before I got this new job I had been trying to get into the Local Union in my area. I took the Aptitude test twice and my first time didn’t qualify and second time didn’t meet the quota. My question is were you ever in the IBEW? If or if not, Does it really take being in the union as R worker to get into the Apprenticeship? Can you offer me any insight between the IBEW and a private apprenticeship?

Here’s my question. Hopefully I get some answers. Is electrician school required to learn and gain experience? Or could you just apply to a electrical company and gain the knowledge and experience from there?

I just wish journeyman got paid more... That's my only gripe. We make barely more than teachers on average for a job that can kill you. Also, you make such an embarrassingly low amount of money as an apprentice and most people can't afford to make such a small salary for that long of time. That's the main reason I see as to why people don't come on. People have asked me what you start at and they are like oh my god.. yeah school is free but it will still be a struggle for some years