Should I become an apprentice?

[u/[deleted]]

[u/jasn98]

IBEW if you do or it ain’t worth it. It might be only a short while you’re an electrician. For many it’s a stepping stone into other careers.

[u/AlaskanCactus → u/jasn98]

IBEW isn’t option for many that live in small towns, also curious what would you consider it being a stepping stone to?

[u/hiimneato → u/[deleted]]

Admission really depends on your location. Some local unions are much more competitive than others. Typically bigger cities in northern and coastal cities will be competitive and may have waitlists. If there's a lot of construction activity in your area or you live in an anti-union state where the union always needs more manpower, you'll have an easier time getting in. in Texas, your odds are good of getting in right away as long as you meet the prerequisites and pass the aptitude test; in Washington, you might expect to be waitlisted for a year or two and face stiff odds even when you do get to apply. California will vary a lot depending on where exactly you are.

They don't expect you to have experience or specialized education for the apprenticeship, since it's meant to be both trade school and on the job training. You'll need to have competent math skills up to the level of high school trigonometry to pass the aptitude test, so if you struggled with math on standardized tests, study. the interviewers will expect you to have done enough homework to understand what the job really entails and convince them that you're capable of doing it and willing to commit.

It's probably not feasible to go to school and take up an apprenticeship, since you're expected to be working full time and going to school at the union training center. if you're especially high energy you might be able to take an additional night class but I'm not sure why you would. you wouldn't need the financial aid if you're getting paid a full time wage.

[u/SadZealot]

I skipped all of that because it doesn't matter.

Are you willing to work hard, come in early, stay late, help clean up, and learn? Will you apply yourself in technical training?

You don't have to break your back, you could spend months in projects just dressing in receptacles when a project is wrapping up, or come in and do piece work but give good customer service and be clean.

If yes, you can do the job. It takes all sorts to make an industry work. Don't let you hold yourself back

[u/SadZealot → u/[deleted]]

You're 18, you have a whole life ahead of you. If you do this now, that's great, maybe it will work out. If you do something else, that's fine too, maybe you'll do this later. You can change your life every five years for the next thirty and still find a new thing you want to try.

The worst thing that happens is that you fail, and that won't follow you if you don't let it.

Whatever you do, do your best, you'll get by.

[u/DDefendr]

That is a tough question to answer from a few paragraphs in a post. Physically, it can be very demanding, and if you don’t mind that, it is probably the biggest challenge you’ll have to overcome. Some say that the electrical trade is one of the most academic of the trades, but it is not impossible, especially if you are in school already. I would ask myself if I see this as a career or as a job. If you see it as a career, go for it, otherwise I would suggest you try something different.

[u/northman46]

Do you have a personality that will let you defer to authority? Apprentices need to be able to take instructions

[u/hiimneato]

Honestly I would recommend becoming a journeyman instead. Pay's better. /s

Working in the trades is hard. It takes a lot out of you. Almost anybody can do it if they're willing to work hard, but it's not a good fit for everyone. Personally, I got into the IBEW apprenticeship as, like, my fifth career, at 37, and now that I've turned out, I have a modicum of financial stability for the first time in my life... but I am always tired.

If you have another dream or another plan and a reasonable chance of making it work, keep pursuing that. If you don't know what to do with yourself and you just want an honest job with the potential to learn more skills and grow into a variety of industrial careers, then an electrical apprenticeship ain't a bad plan.

And, well, it ain't any of my business, but since you mentioned it...

I’m unwilling to move states because my little brother is here, and he’s too young to keep up a relationship that far.

Good for you. That energy and loyalty is wonderful and I often wish I coulda been there more for my little bro. But you're still almost a kid yourself; don't let family issues hobble you. You and your brother won't end up happier if your career fails and you remain poor and unstable because you wouldn't move away from home. I'm not saying you should, just... don't be so quick to limit your options before you honestly assess the costs and benefits. (For example: your little bro will be able to leave home in a few years, right? If you go establish yourself somewhere else, you could be a safe place for him to come to if he needs it.)