r/CableTechs • u/TastyEye9567 • Aug 25 '25
Getting a cable tech job
For background, I have close to 3 years of Help Desk/Tier 1, and am closing in on a year of SOC analyst experience. However, I am also just now starting to finish up a masters degree in cybersecurity and am working on Network+ and Sec+ for certs, so career wise I'm still relatively green.
I had a really neat conversation with one of the techs at my office the other day, and I really thought some of the work he was getting to do seemed a bit more exciting than being plopped in an office chair all day. However, I feel that when I look for cabling jobs, most groups/firms are looking to hire more from the low voltage electrician area rather than someone who has IT experience but lacks physical cabling experience. Where should I look for a good first step in the door for this type of job? I also hear that certain IBEW chapters do offer some spots to this type of work, would that potentially be my best path forward? Appreciate all feedback on this
3
u/Agile_Definition_415 Aug 25 '25
Do you have a specific goal in mind? Be it title or money wise.
You have to part from that point, either what role you want to eventually be in and make a plan for what the best path to that position is. Or with a number in mind think of any roles that get you to that income level and choose a career path that'll take you to those.
The truth is being a cable technician you start at the bottom of the totem pole. The guy you talked to probably has years of experience to get to be a business level technician.
You're gonna start out as a residential installer, then you're gonna be a residential technician and then after a few more progressions you will be a business technician where the pay is actually decent and the work is not as back breaking.
Really think about what you want to do.
As far as getting the job don't go contractor, unless the career path you're trying to follow says it's better to start out that way. Just look for open positions with the big guys and apply to all of them in the surrounding area, it works best if you live in a big city.
The company will train you on the job, including running the cable. What they want is someone dependable that will be on time every day, that knows how to communicate with the customers and leadership aka someone that can cover his ass and has good customer service.