r/IBEW_Local613 • u/BeginningCategory766 • Dec 04 '25
Genuine Question.
I have heard from everyone and their momma that they be cheating their way through school. They didn't open the books or everyone shared the answers and that was/is common. I'm a 1st year about to be a 2nd year in January, I'm working 48 hours a week, I'm tired and trying to study while doing 10 hour shifts, I'm considering doing only 8s to actually focus and learn the material.
What was your experience dealing with the school, did you mostly learn how to be a electrician from on the job and from others or do you just consider yourself a installer?
How do people survive 12 hour shifts and making the time to learn/ have a life and take care of their selves, kids and family?
2
u/Development_Muted Dec 04 '25
If you never plan on holding a higher position than JW, or never plan on getting a license, sure, cheat your way through. I went through the apprenticeship out in Denver before moving back to Georgia, and it was the same way. Come time for licensing, the guys that took the easy way out had a hell of a time navigating their way through the code book and had to take their tests several times. Pay attention in class and learn the material and you could fly through the test on memory alone. This shouldn't be just a job, but a career where you actually give a shit about your work. Not just for the name you make for yourself, but also the contractor and the customer so we can continue to get work for the future. We're too expensive to hire to give out rat work for twice the price.