What Happens When I Become a Journeyman? Things to Think About.

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For most of us electricians, there comes a time when we are no longer considered an apprentice. This comes around after we have had 4 long years in the trade, and then signed up for and passed our Journeyman’s exam. WOO HOO! Now what?? In today’s episode of Electrician U, Dustin talks about some of the downsides about becoming a journeyman electrician.
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The moment you pass your exam, you are considered a Journeyman Electrician and things change. Instantly! You are now looked at as a moneymaker, no longer an apprentice whom just costs the company money. You are the one sent out to projects now and expected to return profits to the company. And with this comes responsibility. The job you are in charge of is now YOURS. And by YOURS, I mean good or bad. If things go right- atta boy! But if things go wrong, even if YOU didn’t specifically do the wrong doing yourself, its your fault! You will be expected to manage your teams performance. A tip- take ownership. Recognize that your team is not going to accomplish everything perfectly and will make mistakes. Replace the term “I” in your vocabulary with the term “WE”. If mistakes are made, just correct mistakes, teach the proper way to do it with your team, learn from it, and then move on to the next action.
Another downside to being a Journeyman, is the fact that you cant seem to get YOUR work tasks done! You are constantly having to answer others questions and the task you are working on, once again, goes unfinished! Your boss/GC will call wanting answers on something or an apprentice will have questions they need you to answer/something they need you to see. While frustrating, it helps to understand that your company is no longer paying you JUST to put in the work, they are also paying you to manage the job and make sure that your SUBORDINATES are putting in the work! Once you receive that Journeyman’s card, you are now expected to be a teacher. It is your responsibility to teach the newer electricians how to install their work.
Your employer/customer no longer wants (or generally won’t accept) the “I don’t know or I don’t understand” mentality. You are expected to be faced with problems/issues and either have or have the ability to go out and find the answers! And remember earlier when we said everything is on you? That includes the going back to correct a situation on a job. Even if you just got home after a super long day with an hour and a half commute. For instance, if a panel cover was left off in a customers home, and the customer calls and complains about it, you are expected to jump right back in the truck, drive back out there, correct the deficiency, and then drive back home! You are expected to care more. Be more dependable and knowledgeable. Get to work early to make sure the work got done as you explained it and stay late to verify that it did get done properly as well as to get prepped for the next days work.
Remember that once you receive that Journeyman’s Card, you are expected to be a leader. Which means that the electricians underneath you will be looking to you for direction. They will mimic what you say and what you do. You will be looked at as an example, so make sure it’s a positive one! If you preach safety to your team(s), make sure that when YOU are working, that you are doing it in the same safe fashion you expect from your teams. Quickest way to earn disrespect among your team is to have a do as I say, not as I do mentality!
We hope this has been helpful in recognizing some of the downfalls/challenges to being a Journeyman Electrician. Do you have any to add? Leave a comment in the comments section and let us know. Is there a topic you would like to see discussed on Electrician U? again, leave a comment in the comments section and perhaps Dustin will make a video on it. Please continue to follow Dustin and Electrician U as we are constantly updating our content to assist our followers in becoming the best electricians that they can be.
#electrician #electrical #electricity #power issues #downsides of #being a #journeyman

[@Herwiggle]

I just became a journeyman three weeks ago. I learned a lot along the way. One of the most important things I learned, is how I’m going to treat my apprentices. I always give it 110%. I chose an electrician for a career not a job. I take my profession very seriously and want to learn as much as I can and be the absolute best at what I do. Unfortunately I was stuck with someone for almost two years who was a miserably fuck and would tell me to kill myself and that I would never make it. I get it, it’s construction you have to be “tough and thick skinned” but there’s a line to be drawn whenever it becomes belittling and dehumanizing. No matter how bad of a day I have, I will always treat my apprentices with the respect they deserve. After all it is a brotherhood.

[@roc706]

Ok so when I finish my trade school with an electrician license do I still have to do an apprenticeship

[@uhhyuto7465]

​@@roc706Trade school and apprenticeships are two different things. When you graduate from a trade school, you're now a journeyman. You got your license which means you're qualified to perform electrical work on your own. An apprenticeship, however, is on-the-job learning. You're getting actual work experience while learning the trade. You need 8000 hours (4 years) of on the job training to be eligible to take the journeyman test and earn your journeyman ticket.

[@blakek1043]

not if you are non union.

[@darrendolphdragos9752]

@@roc706 You don't get a license after trade school, you have to do typically 8000 hours of provable field work. Some areas the trade school can shave some of those hours down, but no school can replace the hands-on real-world experience.

[@nicwelch]

@@darrendolphdragos9752My state is 4000 hours in the field and 240 hours classroom.

[@dracula3811]

I have to try to train apprentices who don't care to put in any extra effort to learn the trade. It's rewarding when they are trying to learn. It's frustrating when they don't care.

[@shintel1029]

I don't understand why someone would become an apprentice and not care. It is such a privilege.

[@jsb7546]

@@shintel1029 because sometimes the people you work under suck and make you not want to care. Granted the guys that come don't even learn shit just there for a paycheck ya screw em but I'll tell you what I actually want to learn and do a good job but when I got guys over here telling me to undeserve customers and still bill em for a full service you'll bet I won't care because I know my bosses don't. Also I get paid shit. So to say it's a privilege to be an apprentice sure it can be only if your working with a jman that knows what a privilege they have teaching you.

[@benjaminhoyt1421]

I always tell them everyone is replaceable so you need to make yourself as least replaceable as possible and the best way to do that is to learn as much as possible.

[@viz2790]

It is hard to stay motivated and give a shit as an apprentice when your working your ass off and getting paid in popsicle sticks. Getting paid equal to work motivates me to give a shit and learn more. I guess you just have to find the right company that actually cares about their apprentices.

[@StarWarNerd]

The motivation is to gain experience to get the good pay , that why you’re apprentice , to learn and get paid doing it until you can journey out to make the bigs bucks .

[@WhatWhoandY]

There is a big difference between 'lead' and Journeyman. Really depends on the size of job and number of workers (a big job also necessitates a damn foreman). If your a journeyman on a big job, you are 'just a good apprentice who can work unsupervised'. If its a small job, 3-5 guys, you may automatically be a lead if you have 4 Apps, but at that point 'your' job is to have the apps do 'all' the work, if you cant get them to do all the electric work, you need different apps. Say you have two Journeymen, you must determine whos gonna supervise (lead) and answer the phone, and which of you is going to do the work. If you are the lead you are going to take the plans home and 'plan' who and whats going to be done that week. Generally a Journeyman asks questions but doesnt need to be supervised, granted he studies the plans, and they are good and verified by the lead. You cant do a small job with an beginner apprentice, its too much responsibility for him to go unsupervised too long while your working, beginners need to work with an experienced elect who is not trying to lead at the same time. A good J should be training an app to do their work, not doing it for them, but with them, considerately and friendly - we're all learning, always.

[@jones0618]

I'm learning that now. Got my card a few months ago and thought I was gonna start running work. Nope. Just a good apprentice now

[@joshlavecchia9888]

Right on the money man. I used to work commercial service, just me and my J man all day everyday doing service work or small jobs. All the responsibility was on him. Teaching me, and making sure everything goes smooth. I’m now in commercial construction, and it’s a huge difference, especially with a foreman on site. Journeymen on big sites are definitely “experienced apprentices”. Much less responsibility than the foreman but much more than an apprentice.

[@OldToby53]

Ive seen some comments here about guys saying its too late to start in this career. Im 52 and just got through first period course. Decided to make a late career choice cause I was a trucker for 20 years. I decided it was enough because that job was causing me depression to almost the point of suicide. Its never too late to improve yourself & your life.

[@ianbanas2737]

Man I really enjoy your videos. I’m a first year apprentice and have learned a lot from you. I made a career change at 41 years old and am committed to this. Thanks for making time to make these videos.

[@David-wj1mn]

Awesome man can i message you? Do you have facebook

[@WesleyMaude]

Right on, I'm in the same boat. I'm 38 and considering a major career change into the trades.

[@maxwolthuis]

I’m 30 and want to make the switch too, better late than never

[@dplalowski]

I'm 39 and have been working 8 weeks as an apprentice. Learning everyday. I a have great foreman and boss that show me the little things.

[@randomspace6491]

​@@seanstevenson1668It's because that's what ppl are choosing to do now. They think trade work isn't worth it for the pay. So they rather make way less money but doing an easier job. Which actually makes our trade jobs more valuable. It's almost over valued now

[@MicahFunk]

I appreciate some of these reminders. When you see ones screwing up the task over and over sometimes you just want to jump in and show how it's done, but there's a fine line between showing and taking over. Sometimes it's hard to keep that balance.

[@williamrobida6734]

What I like about your channel is that by the way you say things, a person can tell that you have actually been on the Job....Not just an instructor that has taught class all his career. 👏👏👏

[@BasedJai65]

On my way too becoming a Journeyman. A lot of the advice you gave in this video resonated with me, and I also learned a lot. You're appreciated

[@Sn00chieb00chies]

Go take that test my fellow Journeybrother!! 💪🏼

[@mikestaihr5183]

I remember that transition of wanting to jump in and doing it "because if you want it done right you gotta do it yourself." Then when I began challenging my subordinates to keep up with me for a certain break-in period I was able to trust my guys to do the job. I pushed them in the beginning then gave them all the kudos if they worked hard and did a clean, efficient job...

[@TNFTAW]

The main downside is that you've peaked. You'll never make significantly more than you do now. The rest of your career becomes a race between retirement and your body breaking down.

[@JimAllen-Persona]

Yeah, but what he's talking about is management/supervision/project leadership. It isn't like every journeyman is going to be leading projects.

[@leekazuya1305]

somewhat agree, for older guys, ya maybe you've peaked, but if you are young and you have a ticket, it is just the beginning, now you have options to become a contractor, start your own thing, which is what my buddy and I are doing, but if you have a family and are older, ya maybe it is not worth the risk to start something on the side, and be happy with whatever you are getting paid, now please take care of your body tho, no need to let it break down even more :D

[@xchino0427]

If you take care of your health, your body won't break down fast. We meant to move not sit on our asses all day especially men

[@JimAllen-Persona]

@@xchino0427 You ever see an electrician work? Those guys aren’t sitting on their asses.

[@xchino0427]

@@JimAllen-Persona yeh I'm one of them

[@sun--shine3296]

Wow, this is crazy! Love your videos Electrician U! I started my apprenticeship right out of high school @ 17. Now I’m 21yrs old . I graduated 3 weeks ago and took my journeyman’s exam and passed it with an 81%. I’m so happy. Hopefully I can improve much to be running multimillionaire jobs and have all types of service calls on lock. My goal is to get my contractors license because they’res only so much one can make whilst working for someone. That’s my 2 cents. Keep up the vids man. 🤧🔥

[@lavoueysizzle434]

badass i’m in TX and hope to be like you one day started 19 hope to pass at 23

[@BlackMambaGN]

This applies to more than just electricians. This is a solid look of issues with new managers and management in general.

[@chriskola3822]

Unfortunately, most organizations don't understand that management is not just a matter of being very experienced at the job. It is a very different set of skills and not something that people really get trained for.

[@jzsbYT]

I am a plumber. I like watching your videos because I learn about an electricians job so when I am out in the field I know what I have to do in order to help the trades around me. Keep in mind, I am still an apprentice but have responsibilities of a Journeyman because I have proved myself to be knowledgeable in the field. @15:30 that is me! I go on my own and research anything that I get stuck on. I hate to call boss man and ask questions and I then end up figuring it out because that is literally our job. If you cant figure it out then boss man will hate you! As a plumber, I love your videos. One day I will make my own channel and help others. I don't see much plumbing videos out there so I think I have a good opportunity= to grow!

[@Sparky272]

Same here I’m a first year apprentice (because of technicalities my state won’t accept my previous experience) currently running two big jobs at the same time.

[@reyortiz7085]

Hello Dustin, I enjoy your videos and learn a lot from them. I am a Journeyman trying to get my Masters, can you do more videos on calculations, sizing services, demand loads, sizing disconnects? I feel like most of your videos help apprentices which is awesome, but some calculations videos will be awesome. Thank you !

[@alexbemis2656]

Love Dustin and his Vids but Have you checked out the code coach?

[@reyortiz7085]

@@alexbemis2656 No, i will check him out.

[@R4MON]

I have no current aspirations to become an electrician (I already have a career and I'm probably too old anyway to start in the field) but somehow I still spend 20 minutes watching what happens if I were to become a journeyman. 🤣 Love the vids. I have learned a lot.

[@soundman1402]

No CURRENT aspirations. 😁

[@youdontknowme5969]

But he still has the _potential_ . . . I'll see myself out

[@mellowrebel4618]

I HAD 40 YEAR OLDS IN MY CLASS.

[@mellowrebel4618]

INSIDE WIREMAN!!!

[@mellowrebel4618]

GET STRONG IN ALGEBRA, GEOMETRY, AND TRIGONOMETRY.

[@Doug19752533]

26 years journeyman electrician myself here. i enjoy your videos very much! keep up the good work. ive even referred some of my apprentices to your site for them to learn from! great job!

[@kennethstone1993]

Just passed my journeyman exam in Alabama yesterday. Your videos helped alot. Thank you.

[@chazdog22]

great video just journeyed out recently still so much to learn

[@henryghosn481]

My first job was a blessing and a curse. I was thrown onto a project and told to have two other apprentices help me. The issue was I didn't know how to lay them out to do a section of it while I worked on something else, because for one I didn't trust them to do it correctly and I take great pride in the way my work comes out, but also I was still learning myself how to do the specific task! So for a while it was just them standing around and giving me a hand now and again. Eventually I was able to have them work on what I was doing because they had seen the way I had been doing it, and I was able to leave them while I would start to work on the other side of the project alone and periodically check on their work. It was a great way to not only learn the task but to learn early on how to be a lead. Love your videos bro! Keep it up

[@antdroid8533]

Thank you you’ve been a lot of help during my electrician career

[@waynergarcia5254]

I love watching your videos. I’m a 19 years old trying to get into this I currently working in a residencial company. Thank you for sharing

[@mellowrebel4618]

GET STRONG IN ALGEBRA, GEOMETRY, AND TRIGONOMETRY.

[@stuffthings9618]

I think there's a solid sweet spot before being a journeyman but ahead of being a newbie apprentice. Where the pay is just right. You'll get jobs and money like crazy because you're not too expensive yet l. Plus you dont have to deal with the stress of having the Journeyman title where the smallest fuckup will burn you out everywhere and you got tons of responsibilities on top of your regular work.

[@vvwhitefangvv2973]

I have been watching your videos for the last three years and you are a very knowledgeable individual. Thank you for teaching correctly and I wish when I started I was your apprentice hahaha.

[@user-ub1wg9xr3h]

i started at a small company and was able to learn super fast and at 8 months the journeyman i trained under left and i had the most experience and seniority at my company and was made a foreman and made to run a crew, most things i self taught myself by trial and error or failing an inspection. worked at this company for 5 years and was the back bone and made it to where we have 10 guys and 3 crews running all who i trained. felt i was taken advantage of so asked for a raise and health insurance and my boss basically laughed. so i left for a $3 raise and benefits. however i hate this new job so far and has really put me in the dumps. lost all my freedom and being the boss was nice, feel defeated, gave my all to a company and am basically starting over,

[@cmmartin100]

Great video!! I found your channel when I was studying for my class a journeyman’s test, and your content helped me pass. This is a great video that challenged me to be a better lead and journeyman! Thank you!

[@ianbelletti6241]

"We messed this up" is only valid if you're in a leadership position. If it's bad enough, then even a good leader will still direct blame on the person directly responsible. On larger jobs sometimes the best answer is "You're right. Someone screwed this up."

[@adamlee1821]

I work in an office but this would still be incredible training for every intern or new hire to watch. Universal truths

[@bp-ob8ic]

I was thinking the same thing. Most of this applies to any career path.

[@randomspace6491]

Electricians are basically the office workers of construction. Yes technically we are tradesmen and we dol abor. But it's definitely the closest to white collared for construction. The amount of shit you need to know is alot

[@rtdc5662]

Always be one full step ahead of the crew. Always. Because they will catch up quick if they are good guys. If they're good workers they deserve it. Stay one step ahead, they will appreciate it.

[@juansaldana84]

Thanks amigo I appreciate the video !!

[@dalfon7440]

Thank you, I needed this video. Just got my journeyman.

[@Cizcoboii]

That’s badass man!, I’m currently a 2nd year apprentice with 2 years to go💯

[@Jack_of_1_Trade]

We had a newbie work with us. His job was the drill down to snake down for a switch. Guy drilled the wrong 3 joists and stepped in between the joist causing the lath & plaster ceilings to belly down. It was his last day, he called the boss (who was in the attic with him) a slave driver!!!!

[@kevinsullwold2388]

The "fire-in-the-background I dunno" is perfect lol

[@Tagerrun]

After doing maintenance I’m used to it always being my fault 😂

[@thechamp34king48]

Excellent vid bro!

[@christopherworks400]

Yes take the tool belt off but keep a good multi tip driver and good pliers in the pocket.

[@ramiro9172]

Thanks man another awesome video just like the others

[@portaadonai]

Good reminder for me 20 year journeyman, owns his own company, hired my first apprentice, reminded of the historical progression of attitudes and abilities

[@BlackMamba-gx4zl]

I love your videos man! You teach me so much and at the same time you make me laugh a lot😂. I wish you I could work for you.

[@djsskyvision]

I stumbled onto your video, Excellent ! Im a soon-to-be-retired robotic and automation electrician ,SONY, WEATHER TECH, FORD,, WINPAK, I started an LLC Aabout 2 years a

[@brad6938]

I’m in school right now for my final part of school . I’ll be writing for my license in March . I’m excited to get my license but also have been wondering how it’s going to change ahaha

[@JimAllen-Persona]

'It's all your fault".... true. The fun part of supervision. Getting work done through other people? Been there, done that, don't want to do it again.

[@rodolfovesga979]

Cool video Dustin keep them coming back lol ❤🎉

[@davidlatiak]

4:46 that's why you need some Bluetooth ears buds like isotunes, when you don't have to hold the phone in your hand really helps you keep busy while you chat

[@lukewilliams6364]

Good video as always

[@therealrmp8322]

There is no downside to becoming a journeyman if you have a great work ethic and are a go getter. Right now us electricians are a rare commodity. As far as running jobs you run the job don’t let the job run you!

[@Coolsheed]

A lot of jobs have foremen and general foremen over Journey men and apprentices. That way communication is solid and as long as there is communication. Less mistakes are made because you have more knowledgeable people around.

[@apeezyfguamy]

I’ll tell on anyone if they messed up. Even my self! That’s the problem in our trade. No one takes owner ship of mess ups. Because of this no one gets proper training and corrected and hacks continue to stay in the field

[@Ephesians-ts8ze]

Regarding safety…one common phrase I’ve heard over the years especially in GC site specific job orientation is “the number one person responsible for your safety is YOU!” From my experience it’s usually just lip service but you should take it to heart and throw it back in their face and even be willing to lose your job over it. You can get another job easy but not if you’re permanently disabled or deceased. I don’t know how many times I’ve been told to do something unsafe in the name of “safety”. Safety personnel on the job are usually the dumbest, least experienced people on the job at working with their hands.

[@Ephesians-ts8ze]

@Leslie C. Deal I get what you’re saying and you’re right, constructive communication goes a long way. But as we both know, communication is a 2-way street. And safety personnel are typically given too much unbridled authority and it goes to their heads. Their egos often cloud their judgment and they often spend all their time looking to fire people or send them home without pay for minor safety violations just to make themselves look good and justify their continued presence on the job while ignoring the more serious life threatening safety concerns that involve the powers that be who employ them taking corrective action. The culture has gotten so out of hand that I left construction after 28 years and I won’t be back. And the Covid measures on the job were the final nail in the coffin. I tried everything I could to keep my safety glasses from getting fogged up while wearing a mask. Suddenly nobody cared about eye protection. They cared more about making sure you wore your oxygen deprivation device for fear of something that had a 0.1% mortality rate. Yet the masks were scientifically proven not to work to prevent covid (even said so on the box). I had recently had an eye injury on the job and had to go to a specialist to have a tiny metal fragment removed from my eye so I was more concerned with protecting my eyes than catching the virus. I was harassed and threatened with my job repeatedly for refusing to wear one. I finally had to threaten the safety director with a $75,000 ADA/HIPAA violation before she got off my back. That told me, without a doubt, it wasn’t really about safety. It was about money and compliance

[@BektostheBlackBlade]

This is why I fear being a lead. I want to get to that point when I can feel confident in my skill level to lead a team and take responsibility for the work. I've been doing maintenance for years and only recently got on the construction side of electrical journeyman. I'm 32 years old and this shift in career is tough for me to adjust. I love the information these videos provide.

[@ThomasDdm]

My advice is take your time when in a new environment don't care what others think do what has been working for you all this time and you'll just get better in time. All that matters in the end are the results! The fact that you are have that fear is what it makes you better!

[@R4MON]

We all have that fear in all industries. Once a senior manager in my field told me that if I'm uncomfortable doing a new thing, then I'm advancing. Some fear is good and helps you stay grounded but don't let it keep you from taking the plunge once the opportunity shows up. Show initiative daily and volunteer to take some of their simpler workload when possible... and always find ways to shadow the good ones to see how it's done.

[@shamanosarcasm9800]

I did a career change at 50, went back to college, started a new career and within two years I have doubled my starting pay. It was terrifying and I felt like I was constantly on the verge of drowning but I excelled and thrived. Despite my age difference from my peers, my experience has allowed me to be in charge of my team and its always not easy but it works out.

[@JohnnyUmphress]

There is that guy, that when all the trucks leave out in the morning, that is left at the shop. And there is that guy that the techs fight over to get him on their truck every morning. Be an asset, not a liability. Be that guy.

[@danielspackman7159]

Hey dude I've got a question! As a second year apprentice I am dealing with burnt out master electricians who expect me to know everything and when I ask questions they look at me stupid that I don't know such and such, and then I go and do my research and come back with code or whatever and they then tell me that's above my knowledge level, how do I deal with this?

[@Coolsheed]

It’s good to have more than one JW on the job.

[@harrygilbert4593]

Great video

[@LtKernelPanic]

Not cleaning up after a job is huge. There is a local company that I will never use or recommend again because the last two times I used them they left a mess that took me a good 15-20 minutes to clean up. Too bad too because they otherwise did a good job.

[@ibrahimm2012]

My Journyman wants me to read his mind somehow then when I can’t he yells. Now I know why people don’t want to work in trades .

[@FLS713HTX]

I had one like that but use it as something that drives you to gain respect one thing i realized is that to gain respect from these fools you have to prove you know what youre doing so learn, once you do you can tell ppl ro shut the f up back

[@Hydrosurf_]

The apprentices job is to be one step ahead

[@AceMcFire]

Great Video

[@ericmoreno9698]

Solid advice here

[@marvin3872]

Been a journeyman here in ATX for over two years now and def more responsibilities and opportunities to do more complex and sensitive tasks, on top being trusted to make sure those working under me are completing the work in timely, neat manner.

[@Sn00chieb00chies]

Here in DTX, took my test in Nov. didn’t really feel like a big deal but everyone around me hyping me up, lighting fires up everyone’s ass cause I’m the young cat and we got some old apprentisaurus’ lol It feels good to be young and seeing where I first started and all my supervisors happy and proud of me. My master damn near cried 🤣

[@billminckler6550]

So very well said. Leadership is a noble role. Being an example to others. Tough at times, but so very noble and valuable to others and yourself. Keep up the pursuit! 👏

[@derekofbaltimore]

In this video you said line people up according to their skill level... Could you make a video listing what the the different levels would be expecting to know

[@SIG603]

I remember about a year after becoming a journeyman and starting to run a job with 15 guys on it, my PM came out to the site the week we ramped up to 15 guys and he told me no more tools

[@tek4]

If an apprentice doesn't want to learn from me thats ok, maybe I'm not the right personality to teach them. Each person is different. I love sharing all my tricks and knowledge. I also want to learn from them. This is because every time I learn I become more. Thats the key is to not stop learning. The biggest fear came my first job as a journeyman was now I'm responsible for my screw ups. But thats ok. Now after 20 years in the trade, life has gotten better and the fear if screwing up is tempered by experience knowing more often then not to ask for help.

[@dougfoster445]

Being a journeyman was super fun. Loved it. Really enjoyed the responsibility and social aspect of working with industry leaders

[@kahlil4745]

Like the positivity

[@benfowler2127]

I had such a difficult time when I first started having to oversee jobs. This would have been handy for me… 18 years ago 😂

[@brianohara5771]

Everything you're pointing out is what I consider responsible work ethic. It's sad that you'd have to point it out as things that suck about it. I think those values are something to be proud of. Just my 2 cents.

[@grotrev]

you're actually hitting the nail on the mf head man. I live in Australia and our version of journeyman is "qualified" which i am. nice vid bro.

[@jimmiegill3981]

So true but I was expected to do all this stuff as like a 6 month apprentice

[@zanehudson3680]

Lol yup, companies hand you prints, give you a helper, and you on your own even as apprentice making like 17 an hour

[@BrightLordDurzo]

Do this on the transition between a journeyman vs a masters

[@michaelogden5958]

I'm retired now. But at the last job I had, when someone asked me what I did I'd often say "I'm a janitor." They knew I was lying and would ask "Why would you say that?" I'd say that I spend most of my time cleaning up other people's messes. In truth, I was a fairly high-level IT/Website troubleshooter for a well-known "Technologies" company. Just keepin' it real. 🙂

[@engineeringgedung1322]

Ilmu yang bermanffat untuk electrical..salam dari indonesia

[@Doug19752533]

9:39 i about peed my pants laughing. had too many apprentices sound exactly like that. i found stickers i would put on their hard hats that said "Dont ask me, im just the apprentice"

[@bushgnome]

Great video Dustin! almost everything you said about becoming a Jman like when youre just starting as one, all the things noone ever told you about suddenly become a reality. I got my own apprentice almost immidiately lol. I never once was told or even had the thought that amoung all the other stuff ive been trying to cram into my brain the last 2-4 years I not get to teach to someone else and I have NO idea how to teach. like you said, I was a journeyman but really just an apprentce with a nifty license now. I know there are some who were just born to teach, like they have that personality. and theres the rest of us lol. I sucked at teaching but its been a few years now and Ive been able to get 1 apprentice to the point he could take his test tomorrow and hed do it in one try. and I have a newb that is working out nicely. just saying that it gets better as you go.

[@bayareareefs8616]

This is true to a point . Maybe non union is like this but there should always be a formen on the job

[@selsp97]

the "i don't know" from the apprentice is goood laugh

[@tobyhenderson4316]

Hey how's it going awesome video's BTW. I've been working new construction residential wiring for same electrician for many years. feels like dead end job boss makes alot of money definitely dont appreciate his helpers do you think 40 years old it's to late to join the union become an apprentice work my way up to journeyman??

[@josephnicolas2158]

What an amazing video! Thank you for what you do for this electrical community.

[@Banger_Fire]

5th year apprentice, my last year. waiting to take my CA state test. your apprentice videos are K E Y. "this is the way."

[@sperreault]

You just described my job in IT

[@masalachaimasta]

Spot on.

[@tupapi3628]

Bro I act this way you describing and I’m an apprentice lol maybe for more than I want but I want to be the journeyman that gets a question and can answer it without a doubt I wanna be the best n the hustler , I speak to the main guys PMS and ppl look at me like wtf but it’s cuz I want to be ahead and succeed like you did , you the best bro

[@rubengonzales745]

Very good video on this subject, I have seen and experienced the same exact behaviors in people when becoming a journeyman and onto becoming a foreman. Now I'm in a new roll as a project manager with new rolls to take on. Great video.

[@Daytona171outof4000]

From what you’re describing it sounds more like a foreman versus a journeyman so you might want to clarify. Because there’s a difference from being a journeyman and there’s a difference from running work and having people under you

[@mellowrebel4618]

GET STRONG IN ALGEBRA, GEOMETRY, AND TRIGONOMETRY.

[@gergimmal5312]

You hit it right on the dot A proper foreman can get tons of work done . Something I've noticed being and electrician is having to two experienced journeyman working together while apprentice sit around doing nothing yes work gets done but nobody is getting trained !

[@q6906]

Safety safety safety if someone gets hurt they looking at you and if OSHA comes…well that’s ya ass

[@MFD005]

Awesome video. Local 280 🤘🇺🇸🤘

[@jaythompson5102]

Hey Dustin, Any chance you could talk about PLC's? This might not be in your wheelhouse but I'm an electrician who has basically morphed into a PLC/HMI programmer and I specialize in low voltage automation service and commissioning work. There aren't many other electricians like me and a lot of these jobs are held by 'techs' who quite frankly don't have the skills we do as electricians. This is a subject I think a lot of young electricians need to know about because I had no idea this part of the field existed. Had I known I would have gone for this career a long time ago.

[@dustinsharer879]

Been a JW for 6 years, sucks ass put my mental state in a very terrible state. The trade was so much fun as an apprentice and i truly had passion for it. I now am moving on to a different career path. Most people think being an electrician is cake but keep in mind it was the most stressful part of my life. 🙏🏼 hope this helps someone

[@Knockout_KINGZ]

What’s your new career path?

[@dustinsharer879]

I’ve had a passion for cars since I was a kid, I’m currently working as technician. Definitely way under paid trade but I’m a million times happier 🙌🏼

[@larryestrada5418]

This is the way it is in ANY field.Everyone is not a leader.Some people want to be an owner,other's are happy being an employee.Great vid.

[@JesusCruz-wt2zp]

It so sad to see how the people that work harder are the one been fired or not respected, im in a job with around 40 people but 15 are the one doing the job. In south Florida is crazy..

[@EP1CNESS83]

how dare you upload this right before I test out and scare me lmaooo

[@dallasarnold8615]

Many years ago in the Marine Corps, I was taught this as I rose in rank. It was referred to as "MBWA" or management by walking about. As an aviation inspector observing is really the biggest part of the billet.

[@Caswitit9000]

Ah a cdi

[@dallasarnold8615]

@@Caswitit9000 Well, in my earlier days, yes. I was a CDI for years, later became a QAR.

[@TheLucasthatyouknow]

I hate the things I don't know. You do find mentally balanced people who can always show you a different way.

[@Gordofor12]

Preach bro. Preach.

[@manandatractor]

My best day as an apprentice was when myself and my Journeyman were waiting in the parking lot on someone to arrive at a commercial business so that we could install a thermostat. I just happened to ask my guy "How do you wire a thermostat?" So he breaks out the paper schematic and we're both leaned over and he's explaining the function of each wire. Little did I know that our field supervisor had driven up and had eased up to the truck and was eavesdropping. When we discovered his presence he remarked "I see we're having a little school today". The next thing I know is that I got a raise and I thought to myself that this electrical stuff is cool and also profitable if you act like you're interested. The rest is history. I went on to be a Corporate Electrical / Automation Engineer for a fortune 500 company and I give credit to that one day in the truck looking at a thermostat schematic.

[@spelunkerd]

This translates to many industries.

[@thomaswescott1950]

I'm the pusher, as a 3rd year plumber... (I started the trades late. 34. ) I have too care, I have to keep the general happy, I have to keep our guys productive. I am in charge of 20 year journeyman because they have no ability to make decisions or plans or manage people.

[@ncooty]

As a homeowner, I install my-fault interruptors on all the electrical work I do.

[@mthibeau]

One thing dude didn't touch on and it's a pet peeve oh mine. When you start running jobs and you get sent to somebody else's job to work under them, act like the employee you would want working under you to help them solve problems and keep an eye out for guys doin' stuff wrong and correct the situation and keep track of stock and tell the foreman when something is getting low before you run out.

[@benmo7430]

What advice do you have for dealing with apprentices that try to run the job for you but aren’t ready to do it. I want apprentices to take initiative, but sometimes it makes my job more difficult. How do you guys deal with this?

[@leewop9188]

I’m that apprentice 😂 . 4th year and up and coming ready to prove I’m capable of running. It can be seen as a bad thing you just need to be lucky you got somebody willing to care enough