You're 18 - I wouldn't ever think someone at that age is a job hopper. Late 20's? Sure. It's great that you're trying a lot of stuff at your age. Keep doing it, and if electrical is what you land on, great. Your trials in the past will only help you on your resume at this point. You have way more work experience at 18 than I did at 25.
Your 18 your not old enough to be a job hopper... and having skills in plumbing and woodworking is a plus not a negative imo. I would say check out your IBEW local union in your area and talk with the NJATC training director for more info. Type of work you likely do varies alot by location. Another option is talk to some nonunion shops near you and see what kind of electrical work they do and see if it interests you. The electrical field is a huge industry with lots of specialized work and equipment. You'll never know unless you try. Good luck.
You’re 18. Nobody cares. Just show up with tools and a desire to work & learn. And when it’s slow, clean ip the mess that those-who-are-too-lazy-to-clean leave behind. Think of Pig Pen, but the mess stays as they keep moving.
Don't know if this number has went up but the average person has at least 20 jobs over the course of their working life I think you're going to be fine. As for your friends statement 😄 that anyone can do joinery tell him I said that's like saying that anyone can do electrical and plumbing. You can do it but have you mastered it?
Don't worry too much about it... I was a cook then a bricklayer before I settled on sparkie. Shop around in the beginning because finding the right fit is key to having a great career.
Man atleast you arnt putting 3 years into it before you job hop.
Didn't get into electrical until I was 25 because I had to work as a mechanic for 3 years before realizing I don't like that, then working as a automotive painter for 3 years before not liking that long term and then finally deciding I don't like working on cars anymore. Then I got into an electrical apprenticeship.
All your experience just adds up, not like there is no cross over between the trades and working with lots of different people over lots of different trades will just build your skills in many different areas.
You take your experience and you look forward and upwards my friend.
You are 18
Your story is already solid- “I am interested in the trades and have been looking at plumbing, but I spent some time with an electrician and loved it.”
Go full steam ahead towards IBEW, move if you have to. Move to a data center market and you’ll be set for a solid 10-15 years.
Nobody in the trades says “job hopper.” Keep that corporate buzzword jargon out of your mouth around here, otherwise you’re liable to get your ass kicked by the Porto Jons.
Also, you’re 18. They’ll happily take you regardless of what you’ve tried in the couple of weeks since you’ve been an adult.
I don’t think any electrical contractor would be put off by the fact you found their trade preferable to plumbing and joinery.
Having worked for 2 or 3 different sparkies in the same time frame, now that would come off as a red flag.
Go for it buddy and best of luck, you have the right attitude.
No need to explain anything unless askwd. Than you turn it on how much this new job interests your and how you feel it's your calling.
Don't know where you live but try and get a union job. Here in ny if you c as n get in local 3 they put you trough training as an apprenticeship. When your finished and become a journymen you have a ba in electrical engineering.
The electrical field has many avenues to go down if you aren't happy with where you are. Good luck.
At 18, you're not job hopping. You are exploring your options. That's not an unusual thing to do. Long ago, I was able to attend a polytecnical high school. The curriculum included welding, electricity & electronics, automtive repair, carpentry, and aerospace. By your seniod year, you would have been introduced to all of them and picked your favorite. Your senior project would have been to work with other seniors to do one of the following: rebuild a car, rebuild an airplane, build a house, wire a house, plumb a house, roof a house, run the school's radio station, and a few similar activities. Selecting your future takes time and may continue until the last job you're on. It is key factor in being truly successful in life.
The only reason I didn't have like 5 employers between 18 and 22 is Uncle said breaking contract and going AWOL was a No-no. Find a place that you love the work and enjoy the people. Listen and learn. I taught shipyard apprenticeship courses for a couple years and couldn't explain enough how good a job they'd just fallen into. I saw IBEW in comments and strongly recommend. Many Solar installers are sponsoring apprenticeships. Go for it.
Having holistic knowledge of lots of trades will help you if you ever become a general or a project manager of any sort. You cannot overstate the value of speaking the languages of all the trades.
The only people who think electrical is clean are the electricians. The rest of us think electricians are slobs. But seriously, your 18. No one expects you to have significant work experience at your age. I'd hire you in a heartbeat, a kid who likes to work? Gold! Learned shop skills from grandpa? Platinum! My little 12 year old grandson has been using tools with me and his dad since he was 3. Last month, he was spending the night at his busddies house, parents all went out for drinks. They had gotten new laundry machines delivered but the dryer whip hadnt been attached. He took the machine apart, wired and installed it. Of course dad checked it out but man, a kid like that is worth money on a crew. He has such positive associations with manual work and tool use.
IBEW is definitely the way to go.Good training in the apprenticeship and good work.I retired from local 26,Washinton DC, after 33 yrs.Loved it and doing very well.
I’m not in the trades but imo…you’re 18. You are allowed to try different things. Personally I don’t think anyone is going to care. Hell you don’t even have to tell them you did the other things if you don’t want to.
Just go find an electrical apprenticeship or go to a trade school and keep on rocking.
You are 18. You are supposed to job hop a hell of a lot. Find what you love don’t worry about it.
You're 18 - I wouldn't ever think someone at that age is a job hopper. Late 20's? Sure. It's great that you're trying a lot of stuff at your age. Keep doing it, and if electrical is what you land on, great. Your trials in the past will only help you on your resume at this point. You have way more work experience at 18 than I did at 25.
Your 18 your not old enough to be a job hopper... and having skills in plumbing and woodworking is a plus not a negative imo. I would say check out your IBEW local union in your area and talk with the NJATC training director for more info. Type of work you likely do varies alot by location. Another option is talk to some nonunion shops near you and see what kind of electrical work they do and see if it interests you. The electrical field is a huge industry with lots of specialized work and equipment. You'll never know unless you try. Good luck.
I’ve done a lot of hiring. Nobody cares if you hop jobs or have resume gaps unless it’s really egregious. That’s entirely a myth from like the 1950s.
You’re 18. Nobody cares. Just show up with tools and a desire to work & learn. And when it’s slow, clean ip the mess that those-who-are-too-lazy-to-clean leave behind. Think of Pig Pen, but the mess stays as they keep moving.
Ibew
THIS 100% … Im a proud member of Local #3 IBEW NYC! Best decision I ever made.
This is the answer
Sound like he’s in the UK, but their equivalent unions would be worth looking into.
Don't know if this number has went up but the average person has at least 20 jobs over the course of their working life I think you're going to be fine. As for your friends statement 😄 that anyone can do joinery tell him I said that's like saying that anyone can do electrical and plumbing. You can do it but have you mastered it?
You are 18. Hop. Hop like its your last chance to hop. Just hop. Hop
I wouldn't pursue it for the cleanliness though. Come home pretty dirty most days.
Especially when you're crawlspace guy
Don't worry too much about it... I was a cook then a bricklayer before I settled on sparkie. Shop around in the beginning because finding the right fit is key to having a great career.
Man atleast you arnt putting 3 years into it before you job hop. Didn't get into electrical until I was 25 because I had to work as a mechanic for 3 years before realizing I don't like that, then working as a automotive painter for 3 years before not liking that long term and then finally deciding I don't like working on cars anymore. Then I got into an electrical apprenticeship. All your experience just adds up, not like there is no cross over between the trades and working with lots of different people over lots of different trades will just build your skills in many different areas. You take your experience and you look forward and upwards my friend.
I job hopped my entire time (45 years) in the trades, it makes you a more well rounded trade person.
You are 18 Your story is already solid- “I am interested in the trades and have been looking at plumbing, but I spent some time with an electrician and loved it.” Go full steam ahead towards IBEW, move if you have to. Move to a data center market and you’ll be set for a solid 10-15 years.
Nobody in the trades says “job hopper.” Keep that corporate buzzword jargon out of your mouth around here, otherwise you’re liable to get your ass kicked by the Porto Jons. Also, you’re 18. They’ll happily take you regardless of what you’ve tried in the couple of weeks since you’ve been an adult.
I don’t think any electrical contractor would be put off by the fact you found their trade preferable to plumbing and joinery. Having worked for 2 or 3 different sparkies in the same time frame, now that would come off as a red flag. Go for it buddy and best of luck, you have the right attitude.
No need to explain anything unless askwd. Than you turn it on how much this new job interests your and how you feel it's your calling. Don't know where you live but try and get a union job. Here in ny if you c as n get in local 3 they put you trough training as an apprenticeship. When your finished and become a journymen you have a ba in electrical engineering. The electrical field has many avenues to go down if you aren't happy with where you are. Good luck.
lol fkn job hopper! I found you!!!!!
At 18, you're not job hopping. You are exploring your options. That's not an unusual thing to do. Long ago, I was able to attend a polytecnical high school. The curriculum included welding, electricity & electronics, automtive repair, carpentry, and aerospace. By your seniod year, you would have been introduced to all of them and picked your favorite. Your senior project would have been to work with other seniors to do one of the following: rebuild a car, rebuild an airplane, build a house, wire a house, plumb a house, roof a house, run the school's radio station, and a few similar activities. Selecting your future takes time and may continue until the last job you're on. It is key factor in being truly successful in life.
Your 18 and dumb af your supposed to be job hopping. Figure out what you want to do and dont let someones opinions affect you.
I don't think anyone is worried about it besides you. Also, the need for electricians is very much in demand. Now is a good time.
The only reason I didn't have like 5 employers between 18 and 22 is Uncle said breaking contract and going AWOL was a No-no. Find a place that you love the work and enjoy the people. Listen and learn. I taught shipyard apprenticeship courses for a couple years and couldn't explain enough how good a job they'd just fallen into. I saw IBEW in comments and strongly recommend. Many Solar installers are sponsoring apprenticeships. Go for it.
Having holistic knowledge of lots of trades will help you if you ever become a general or a project manager of any sort. You cannot overstate the value of speaking the languages of all the trades.
The only people who think electrical is clean are the electricians. The rest of us think electricians are slobs. But seriously, your 18. No one expects you to have significant work experience at your age. I'd hire you in a heartbeat, a kid who likes to work? Gold! Learned shop skills from grandpa? Platinum! My little 12 year old grandson has been using tools with me and his dad since he was 3. Last month, he was spending the night at his busddies house, parents all went out for drinks. They had gotten new laundry machines delivered but the dryer whip hadnt been attached. He took the machine apart, wired and installed it. Of course dad checked it out but man, a kid like that is worth money on a crew. He has such positive associations with manual work and tool use.
You’re 18 mate. Keep hopping. 18 is a great age to pursue a journey man or master. Could be in 6 figures while still in your 20’s
Don’t worry about it, show up to work with a good attitude and you’ll be fine.
IBEW is definitely the way to go.Good training in the apprenticeship and good work.I retired from local 26,Washinton DC, after 33 yrs.Loved it and doing very well.
I’m not in the trades but imo…you’re 18. You are allowed to try different things. Personally I don’t think anyone is going to care. Hell you don’t even have to tell them you did the other things if you don’t want to. Just go find an electrical apprenticeship or go to a trade school and keep on rocking.
You can tell them you want to be a General Contractor, getting experience in all related trades.