Anyone a carpenter or electrician?
Contributors to this thread:Connecticut
From: Michael
28-Mar-19
I know this is off topic but i was wondering if any one here works in a trade and would shed some light on what it’s like. I am smarter with my hands then head. I have good grades al around but don’t know if college is the best choice for me
From: steve
29-Mar-19
Get in to electrician ,carpenter is hard on the body. I am a tool and die maker I have worked for the same place for 45 years next week .I work all year inside .There is nothing wrong with working in the trade !! Is isn't there a trade school in Danbury ?? Good Luck
From: steve
29-Mar-19
So my alma mater, Darien PD, is hiring. Do you know a bright, trustworthy, young person looking for a job? Starting pay at $69K before various perks that include paid educational benefits. Best decision I ever made. From a friend of mine .Good retirement
From: Michael
29-Mar-19
Thank you for the insight, many people told me it does a tear on the body. I’ve been looking around to be a shop boy stvshops near me!
From: Gwiz
29-Mar-19
I worked in architechual millshop for 30 yrs . If to do over should be electictrian or or plumber . License van and warehouse is all you need .You can be as busy as you want to be . Good luck
From: Gwiz
29-Mar-19
Warehouse being any local parts store .
From: Notme
29-Mar-19
Run, run away!!!..I was a roofer/sider for 30 yrs, owned a business for 15..if the physical demands and weather don't wear you down the insurances, fees, and competition will..sure it feels great working with your mind and hands , and the sense of pride that goes with it but we're almost the lowest on the pay rate scale..keep in mind that every time there's a massive lay off somewhere, suddenly everyone that knows what a hammer or paint brush looks like are now your competition..if you're dead set on the trades get into electrical, plumbing or hvac..your body won't get beat up too bad and the money will ease the pain..lol
From: soapdish
29-Mar-19
Trades are a good way to go. Not many people entering them nowadays. Learn as much as you can about them so you can eventually move into an office job. If you have good work ethic you can make some serious money. If you ever want or need to move out of state, you can go work anywhere. An aquintance of mine is a linesman. He says kids can't pass the drug test. The hi-line guys are in demand and make ridiculous money. Public service jobs (police/fire) are losing many of the benefits that we're once a perk. I'd choose fire Whatever you choose to do, you will have to do for the rest of your life. You should enjoy it, and not just for the money.
From: Wild Bill
29-Mar-19
U.S.Navy will teach you and give you experience in the trades. HVAC and electrical are shipboard needs and Seabees(plywood sailors) usually handle anything on land.
From: Michael
29-Mar-19
Thanks for all the advice, I’ll stick to either electrion or plumber where a liscense is required!
From: Cnichols73
29-Mar-19
I'm an electrician for 21 yrs now. I'll talk to you when we meet which should be fairly soon. I believe you'll be hunting with a friend and myself this season.
From: SILVERADO
29-Mar-19
Go the FD route!!
From: Ace
29-Mar-19
Look into Welding. Many of the same benefits as some of the trades already mentioned here, and lots of areas of specialization. Demand for good ones seems pretty high.
From: nehunter
29-Mar-19
I own a sales engineering company that specializes is aerospace machining. There are so many opportunities for Machinist's these days at TOP pay. There are so many machine shops in CT and all need help.
From: Notme
29-Mar-19
I hear the old folks home is looking for someone to shake farts out of sheets..whaaat, better than picking fly crap out of pepper shakers..lol
From: PeteO
29-Mar-19
Silverado has it FD is the way to go. Do plumbing or electrical on the side.
From: soapdish
29-Mar-19
FD is pretty awesome
From: longbeard
29-Mar-19
Michael How about becoming a professional hunter. You could be on tv and maybe even have your own podcast.
From: N8tureBoy
29-Mar-19
Best bet might be to spend a few days shadowing different people in various trades.
From: Brianbowhunter
29-Mar-19
I was in the porn industry for a while, that’s tough on the body too but I survived it.
From: Michael
29-Mar-19
Thanks for all the help, and Is FD a financial director?
From: Notme
30-Mar-19
Fire dept is the way to go..sandwich runs in a big shiny red truck, hack trades man on days off and gets to play with fire.all while collecting a check...lol seriously though, that's a tough gig and a special kind of crazy..kudos fire dudes
From: Bigbuckbob
30-Mar-19
Manufacturers are in need of tool and die and other skilled trades.
From: SILVERADO
30-Mar-19
I did the 9-5 office gig for quite a few years before the FD(Fire Dept) Id never ever go back. Tons of freedom, everyday/minute is different. Good pay, pension, 8-24 hour shifts a month before OT’s at my job I’m able to work all summer and build up swaps so that I can take most of the hunting season off. It’s a great feeling being able to help people and life is kind of like a big frat house. Co-workers become like your brothers and sisters. It’s a stressful job at times and hard work but if you can get past that and have the ability to be away from your family for up to 2 days. FD life may be for you. If you have any questions pm me
From: N8tureBoy
30-Mar-19
Tons of respect for the rare breed of person that runs toward fire or gunshots to help others.
From: Jerry Leblanc
30-Mar-19
I did 25 years in the FD . You can’t be scared of heights, blood or claustrophobic. You gotta like taking risks and the adrenaline rush is on par with having a big whitetail coming at you. The ticket to becoming a firefighter these days is to become a paramedic since many departments are hiring cross trained fire/medics. Getting that job is like hitting lotto. If you decide to do it you won’t regret it (unless you get maimed or killed :) By the way it is not all roses. You will see some things you will wish you never saw. But you may also get the reward of saving a life which is the biggest high you can ever have.
From: SILVERADO
30-Mar-19
Well said jerry. I agree with all of that
From: soapdish
31-Mar-19
Becoming a medic will increase your chances 1000x in getting hired. Most departments will let you do ride alongs so you can see what it entails. As far as opportunitys, many fire departments are starting their own medic progams. West Hartford is just one example. East Hartford is starting a big turnover, around 80 positions over the next 10 years. Starting next year there will be a consortium entry level test that will cover a bunch of towns.
From: Moons22
01-Apr-19
I’m starting week 5 of the fire academy up here in Mass. love it. Not sure how it works in CT but take every test you can, and at least become an EMT. Good luck
From: steve
01-Apr-19
good luck MOON 22 !!
From: SILVERADO
01-Apr-19
Good luck Moon that’s a short academy. CT Fire Academy is a 15 week program at the fire academy in Windsor Locks, CT. It’s a 5 day program, where you live at the academy during the duration of the course.
From: bigbuckbob
01-Apr-19
A good friend of mine has a son that went to the University of Southern Maine for a degree in fire fighting (??? probably the wrong description). He showed me the books he had to study, they were huge. This is the young man I took turkey hunting when he was 14 yrs old and today he's the fire safety marshal for Sloane Kettering in NYC!! That's a huge job and he absolutely loves it. Probably a bit different than what's needed to put fires out I'm guessing, but worth looking into. I hate to say it, but this young man was not a straight "A" student, so I have to assume he did it through hard work.
From: Moons22
01-Apr-19
Thanks guys. Silverado I’m in the Worcester academy. Mass state academy backed up until next year. This is also a 15 week program
From: SILVERADO
01-Apr-19
Ah ok your post above said 5 weeks thats why I was confused. A few of the guys from Mass taught at the CT academemy several guys front Springfield and long meadow if I recall. Best of luck
From: SILVERADO
01-Apr-19
From: Shawn
03-Apr-19
I think this is something you should really think about. When I was your age of course I had everything figured out and knew exactly what I wanted to do. I left my local high school and went to a vocational school. I took carpentry because that's what I wanted to do at the time. Well only 15 years later and I can say it was one of the worst decisions I've ever made. I think the only way to go in carpentry is to be in the union. Otherwise forget it. There's too much bullshit that comes with the job. Skumbag bosses not wanting to pay, homeowners never happy, someone always under bidding you. The job is totally dependent on the weather. And worst of all it's very tough on the body. By the time your 40 you'll have the body of a 60 yr old. If I could go back to high school I would of chosen electrical, hvac or machine shop. I know at your age it's hard to think 20 yrs down the road. My best advice is to take your time and not rush into a decision.
From: bb
03-Apr-19
If your choice for a career is between a carpenter and electrician. Choose the Electrician. They make good money and are always in demand. But there is another reason. In the work I do, I do a lot of different trades, including carpentry, Welding, painting, minor electrical, rigging, heavy equipment operating. What ever you decide to do think long and hard about doing anything that includes creating noxious fumes and dust, ie, carpentry, painting, boat yard work, welding. No matter how well you protect yourself, it will affect your health. You may not notice when you are young but day in and day out exposure for the duration of your working career is going to take it's toll later in life.
From: Notme
03-Apr-19
Exactly bb, that's why I gave up my carrier as a fluffer..day in and day out it was tough on the hands and oh the fumes...lol
From: bb
03-Apr-19
I hear rumors you were moonlighting. " Back by popular demand"
From: BoneHead
05-Apr-19
I’ve been the electrical trade for 18 years. And now have my own business. It’s a fantastic trade! I’m on the residential end of it and meet a lot of people and access to some nice hunting spots if you work of deals with land/home owners.
From: dbrand
05-Apr-19
I taught carpentry in a tech school and with any of the working careers you get out what you put in . Almost all union trades have openings at this time . We had a CNC router in our program and if you can run one of those you can write your own job ticket. Also the software flip flops with the metal trades they run Master Cam . There were many students that went through these programs that are very successful business people. there is a real shortage of plumbers at this time. There is good and bad in all working fields so I am just saying you can find happiness without a degree or you can have both.
From: steve
05-Apr-19
Master cam is the best have to learn it in the metal trade
From: KimberlyJames
28-Jul-20
KimberlyJames's Link
I'm an electrical technician for almost five years. I like my job so much, and it's so awesome that it is appreciated. As I heard in other countries having just a vocational school is not so appreciated. Thank God that I live in a democratic country. I studied at https://www.onlytradeschools.com/ and gained so much experience. I highly recommend this trade school. It's everywhere in all regions of the USA.
From: har1690
29-Jul-20
I'm celebrating my 34th year in business with my brother. Yes 34 years, every single day working with him. A little tough in the beginning but we've learned it's not important to be right ALL the time. Tons of repeat customers and even today we are still very busy. At almost 57 now, things (the body) is slowing a bit but we still have a few more years. Best decision I made when I was 22!
From: Loner
08-Aug-20
Michael , you're getting good advice; best of luck .
From: YoungJulian34
10-Aug-20
Hello, I am not a licensed electrician but I know the basic things that should be done in a house so I think I can respond to any question. I am a student and I started to practice with my uncle that is an electrician. At the end of the summer I collected a pretty big amount of money for a student and now I want to study at electricianclasses.com to get a license and move to USA to make more money. Because there a good electrician can reach more than $60k per year, fro me it is more than enough.
From: Blever
28-Sep-23
IMO, it's better to go to college
From: Wansgelay
28-Sep-23
I can totally relate! I considered a trade, too. Working with your hands can be incredibly rewarding. Trades offer good career opportunities and hands-on learning. My friend works at https://kanatautilitiesltd.ca, and he loves his job. It's worth exploring if it aligns with your interests and goals. College isn't the only path to success!
From: Wilgabeast
28-Sep-23
If you can , I’d go with pipe fitting or plumbing . Great pay , and buku bucks when it comes to weekend side work
From: Wilgabeast
28-Sep-23
A college degree value is going way way way down every year due to technology and ai able to fill those career positions already or in the near future . But some trades just can’t be done without a skilled trades men . Ie: pipe fitter plumber electrician carpenter …. If you’re lucky enough to be able to get into a trade union like me you’ll retire with a pension and annuity .
From: Notme
28-Sep-23
Don't make the mistake of going into siding &roofing..you'll end up broke and broken
From: spike78
28-Sep-23
Look into the Railroads. They have good pay and pensions with no money going to Social Security.
From: Woodsnut
29-Sep-23
I retired from Fire Department 28 yrs -schedule allowed side work- if doing it all over again. I would think about game warden or coast guard
From: Woodsnut
29-Sep-23
Electric boat. They will pay- train and offer decent benefits
From: BIGERN
29-Sep-23
Retired IBEW member of Local 35 Hartford. Best move I ever made, good pay,great health and welfare plan, pension and annuity plan. Raised a family of 3 boys and youngest is in the same local. He bought a house at 23 and is doing very well in the trade. It is physically hard and if you are in it for 30 years you will likely have some wear and tear but If you want to try this trade pm me and I will try to help you out.
From: soapdish
29-Sep-23
Looks like this post is almost 4 years old. Michael... how you making out?
From: MA-PAdeerslayer
01-Oct-23
Get your plumbing or electrical license and be a fire fighter. Best of both worlds. Ton of money thru the FD and work a few days a week making good money in the trades.
From: soapdish
01-Oct-23
Fire department usually equals ample time off..... that's something that you can't make
