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Not sure about my apprenticeship / career.
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Not sure about my apprenticeship / career.Posted:

Hurleh
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So I start an electrician apprenticeship in October (Im 20, UK) I was previously doing Steel Erecting but broke my collarbone which lead to me not being able to continue doing it. Last year I worked at a golf club restaurant and it was so good was well paid for what it was, there was no stress ever I had a couple days off every week life was really easy and enjoyable. With this apprentice I am doing right now Im just not sure its for me I go to college every 4 weeks for 4 weeks which isnt very fun there is a lot of Physics & maths involved which I can most definitely say is not my strong point i never did it in school a lot so Im clueless at this really, there is stuff to be handed in every few days which is so stressful and its only going to get harder. im a good practical worker, but every day I just dread going to work and not sure I want this for the next 4+ years, It is an amazingly well paid job if i get qualified at the end of the 4 years but I dont know if I can last that, I want to do it to make my family and gf proud but I dont know if its worth it, Im not enjoying life really and surely its more important to do something that makes me happy and drives me to work, But i have no idea what I would do? im a pretty sport person and love football but doesnt really help. Last year just working in the golf club was so nice and stressfree but I cant just do that forever.. I just thought id post this to see what people think, its a big post but there we go,

Thank you.
#2. Posted:
JZX
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What were you're thoughts as you applied for the electricians course? Did you think of just the money or the enjoyment you may get out of it?
#3. Posted:
Hurleh
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JZX wrote What were you're thoughts as you applied for the electricians course? Did you think of just the money or the enjoyment you may get out of it?

I thought it was something I would like as I do a lot with electrics n stuff and thought it would be a good thing to do, but Im just not enjoying it really.
#4. Posted:
Heru
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I did something I didn't enjoy for many years, I then when to college and got kicked out and later after I got kicked out I worked for a year in a local restaurant and after that I was promoted to manager after being with the business for 4 years. At 20 I applied to work for a computer company that sells Microsoft and adobe to 3rd parties such as schools and universities. I've been with the company a year and 3 months finished my level 2 and earn 21,000. Its not much but the pathways to other companies and progression in the business are huge.

Basically there are many apprenticeships out there for you, I applied for Michelin and got accepted and was going to move to Stoke, before I got the acceptance from the other place. You need to find something you love and have passion for.
#5. Posted:
Vera
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if you're motivated by money keep doing it
if you're motivated by self fulfillment continue to do it until you find a career that will make you happy
don't just stop working.
Have a look at more courses and read into stuff
#6. Posted:
-Jord
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I'm a sparky by trade, working now for the UK's biggest electrical distribution network and by all means it isn't easy.
You're right about the maths side of it, it's tough. Ohms Law is the very beginning (assuming that's where you're starting). It gets very difficult to learn.. but that being said, once you put yourself through learning it then you will never forget it due to the fact you use it next to EVERY DAY

IMO it's one of those jobs like marmite, you either love it or you hate it, no inbetween. As much as the money is a great thing in this trade, ENJOYING it is even more important. It's a ridiculously dangerous job if you don't understand things, or don't have the attitude, you're gonna hurt yourself or somebody else. I started working on domestic housing and now I work up to 33,000 Volts, and every day requires complete concentration

I'd personally advice you to stick it out for a little longer, purely for the fact I thought the exact same as you when I was training as a teenager. See if you can last another month and then look back to see if you have made any progress, if you have, then fantasic. If not, then maybe think about something else as it is a tough foundation to build. Thinking about your future, electricity is going to be around for a very long time and with the introduction of electric cars it will soon be the 'in' trade to learn as we will be in high demand when shit starts going wrong.

The most important thing is enjoyment, as much as I would recommend what I do to ANYONE, if you don't enjoy it, find something else. Life is way too short to sit back and wonder 'what if'

EDIT: Also, when you're out of training and full Qual. The whole trade changes, what they say to you in a classroom and what you do on site are two completely different things
#7. Posted:
Hurleh
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-Jord wrote I'm a sparky by trade, working now for the UK's biggest electrical distribution network and by all means it isn't easy.
You're right about the maths side of it, it's tough. Ohms Law is the very beginning (assuming that's where you're starting). It gets very difficult to learn.. but that being said, once you put yourself through learning it then you will never forget it due to the fact you use it next to EVERY DAY

IMO it's one of those jobs like marmite, you either love it or you hate it, no inbetween. As much as the money is a great thing in this trade, ENJOYING it is even more important. It's a ridiculously dangerous job if you don't understand things, or don't have the attitude, you're gonna hurt yourself or somebody else. I started working on domestic housing and now I work up to 33,000 Volts, and every day requires complete concentration

I'd personally advice you to stick it out for a little longer, purely for the fact I thought the exact same as you when I was training as a teenager. See if you can last another month and then look back to see if you have made any progress, if you have, then fantasic. If not, then maybe think about something else as it is a tough foundation to build. Thinking about your future, electricity is going to be around for a very long time and with the introduction of electric cars it will soon be the 'in' trade to learn as we will be in high demand when shit starts going wrong.

The most important thing is enjoyment, as much as I would recommend what I do to ANYONE, if you don't enjoy it, find something else. Life is way too short to sit back and wonder 'what if'

EDIT: Also, when you're out of training and full Qual. The whole trade changes, what they say to you in a classroom and what you do on site are two completely different things

Thank you for this post man really helps, Can I PM you tomorrow maybe to ask a few things? Thanks a lot
#8. Posted:
-Jord
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Hurleh wrote
-Jord wrote I'm a sparky by trade, working now for the UK's biggest electrical distribution network and by all means it isn't easy.
You're right about the maths side of it, it's tough. Ohms Law is the very beginning (assuming that's where you're starting). It gets very difficult to learn.. but that being said, once you put yourself through learning it then you will never forget it due to the fact you use it next to EVERY DAY

IMO it's one of those jobs like marmite, you either love it or you hate it, no inbetween. As much as the money is a great thing in this trade, ENJOYING it is even more important. It's a ridiculously dangerous job if you don't understand things, or don't have the attitude, you're gonna hurt yourself or somebody else. I started working on domestic housing and now I work up to 33,000 Volts, and every day requires complete concentration

I'd personally advice you to stick it out for a little longer, purely for the fact I thought the exact same as you when I was training as a teenager. See if you can last another month and then look back to see if you have made any progress, if you have, then fantasic. If not, then maybe think about something else as it is a tough foundation to build. Thinking about your future, electricity is going to be around for a very long time and with the introduction of electric cars it will soon be the 'in' trade to learn as we will be in high demand when shit starts going wrong.

The most important thing is enjoyment, as much as I would recommend what I do to ANYONE, if you don't enjoy it, find something else. Life is way too short to sit back and wonder 'what if'

EDIT: Also, when you're out of training and full Qual. The whole trade changes, what they say to you in a classroom and what you do on site are two completely different things

Thank you for this post man really helps, Can I PM you tomorrow maybe to ask a few things? Thanks a lot


For sure.

Anything you need help with just hit me with a PM,
I'm a little rusty on college 'standards' but I'll help the best I can..
#9. Posted:
Jay
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Money can't buy happiness mate. If you ain't happy then neither will your family or your gf. If you're happy then so will they. Most jobs pay well after years of experience. So find the job you thinks right and makes you happy, that's when your family and gf will be happy as well as being proud. Don't chase the money Hurleh
#10. Posted:
TJ
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If I was you mate I'd stick it out, apprenticeships are a fantastic way to kick start a career, to literally learn and earn. It's something I wish I would have done before settling down for a family
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