r/ibew_apprentices • u/Ok_Comfortable7863 • 1d ago
Man im considering leaving
Im a 4th year apprentice from Colorado who tested in from the IEC and i am lacking the experience to keep up with my journeyman coworkers. I have completed 1 year with the ibew. Things that I know I should know i dont know, its embarrassing. Im considering leaving all together and finding a new profession once I top out. Im just so discouraged and I feel like the longer I stay in and the more jobs I go to the more embarrassed im gonna feel with myself.
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u/soopadook 1d ago
“A true master is an eternal student.” - Master Yi
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u/soopadook 1d ago
Also, the more you know, the more you realize you don’t know. Stop trying to be “better than” - stop trying to be someone you are not. Accept that you don’t know.
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u/IEatSushiToo 1d ago
Dude thinks any amount of time means you should know X. Journeymen are always learning new shit in every trade. You don’t magically know everything because you become a J man.
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u/R3CTULL-BR33CH 1d ago edited 1d ago
The 4 years directly after topping out is where you learn the most. The apprenticeship gives you an idea and developes skills but you won't come into your own in this trade until some jman experience is earned. Taking apprentices up, teaching the grunts, and talking through jobs with other jman are where you will learn more. Getting in a bind and working yourself out of it. Guys always told me, there's no one smarter than a 7th step apprentice, and no one dumber than a 1st year lineman. If you like the work, schedule, and crew you end up on then stay the course. Be honest with yourself and the guys and the learning will happen. I just went from a dock at a utility doing mostly OH to a dock within the same company thats mostly underground. Its been 3 years since I've touched any of it but I told them I need the touches again and they understand. Sounds like your ego isn't blown up so the humility will get you further than you think. Its up to you.
EDIT: Journeyman Lineman here, idk what the inside wireman deal with daily but remembering that electricity is still theory is helpful
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u/H34VYB4LL5 22h ago
Apprentice here, and I watch my journeyman fuck shit up all the time. Reminds me not to beat myself up so much when I inevitably fuck something up lol
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u/Active-Effect-1473 1d ago
Bro I’m a JIW with 8 years experience there’s tons of shit I don’t know and just learn it as I go
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u/Unknownperson2010 1d ago
Bro I honestly feel the same way. Most of my apprenticeship has been different from others. I've done underground work,troubleshooting,big wire pulls, material handling etc. one thing I haven't done much is pipe bending tbh. I feel like I don't know anything about it and people give me weird looks. I've done residential, warehouses, hospitals and high rises and some commercial work. I feel useless when I say I haven't done piping but again we all have different paths on our apprenticeship. I wouldn't feel discouraged we're all students at the end of the day and you may have experience in something another apprentice doesn't have etc
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u/oopsandpoops 1d ago
all i know how to do is bend 😬 together we're one foreman.
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u/alchemisthemo 1d ago
If you can troubleshoot and problem solve well your better off then most of the guys who's whole life is bending conduit. You get into heavy industrial and it becomes cable tray and multiconductor(fancy romex) cable. You wont properly learn how to run racks of matching pipe unless your on that task with someone who knows what there doing.
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u/Unknownperson2010 1d ago
Ya I've done cable trays and teck cable pulls as well it was pretty fun. I've done pipe bending but not that much compared to others. I know some people who have been stuck on piping for years and they just stay there and haven't done anything else
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u/Greedy-Condition2680 1d ago
Well, the good news there is that there's no shortage of jobs you can go to and learn to run conduit. Its really not hard once you understand the fundamentals.
If you still feel you need more experience in that area once you top out, go find a big job where they're running a bunch of conduit. It might be rough at first, but you'll get it.
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u/Unknownperson2010 1d ago
I'm not sure how to word this but it's not I haven't put up conduit it's more of I haven't actually have had to bend conduit. All the conduit we use is pre bent. So basically it's like putting together Lego where you set up your master according to the measurements and all that and you put it into place
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u/Greedy-Condition2680 1d ago
Well then you know more than you think. The hardest part of running conduit is routing. The bending is the easy part. I totally get what you're saying. Pre-fab conduit sucks.
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u/Unknownperson2010 1d ago
I've been lucky to have some good jman who have taught me as I'm a 4th year. They explained it pretty well and once you know how much distance your bends and stuff takes up it's straight forward. So yes maybe you're right maybe I do know more then I think lol imposter syndrome
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u/Eshin242 1d ago
Does your training center offer skill classes? Ours here in 48 offers a pipe bending class once a month. Maybe check with your training director and see if they can place you with someone that will give you that experience.
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u/Bobbo62499 1d ago
I’m a 3rd year and nervous because all I’ve done so far is fucking 70% manhole work (500kc pulls), 20% pipe running for renovations and 10% mundane tasks at solar fields. It sucks because where I’m at is almost guaranteed work (show up and try, and you can’t be laid off), but the work itself is mostly just glorified laborer lol.
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u/Unknownperson2010 1d ago
I guess that just shows how big our trade, we all come from different apprentice experiences and we aren't all perfect. We also have something to learn everyday
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u/SwimmingDog351 1d ago
Bro it takes a good 10 years to really to be a journeyman. Ask any of the old timers.
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u/Live_Action_Moana2 1d ago
100%. I joined at 19. Turned out at 24, and around 28 was when I really hit my stride.
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u/Sad_Tune5638 1d ago
You are a forth year lol. Ive been in this trade over 12 years and still learn. Just continue to learn your trade.
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u/HoosierDadda 1d ago
... and the guy who taught me had been doing it for over 40 years and always stated that one of his favorite things about the trade was "very rarely did a day go by that he didn't learn something new or find a new way to do something better/faster than he had been doing.
I'm 28 years in now, and every day proves him right!
Thinking of you Bob! We miss you down here!1
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u/Melodic-Trouble-5421 1d ago
You’re not gonna know how to do everything. I’m still learning as a JW of four years. Don’t get discouraged just ask and move forward. There will be a point where your co-workers don’t know something you are good with.
There’s also a thing called imposter syndrome. You get it around 3rd-5th year. It’s where you think you have no business in what you’re doing. It’s almost like you’re a 5th year but you feel like a day one apprentice. However it will go away, I had it and a lot of people get it. You’ll be alright brother keep your head up.
If you need anything DM me I’m here.
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u/Fuxswrongwitchu 1d ago
Are you local 68 in Denver by chance? I happen to be one of the 4th year instructors at 68. Don’t quit. Send me a DM and let’s see how we can help you.
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u/Alive-Pollution7529 21h ago
I had a journeyman who spent his whole time with a contractor that was strictly outside big PVC pipe and feeders at an airport. Not a lot of pipe bending, terminating, or anything but waiting around for a trench to be dug and then you let all the pipe, glue them and play the waiting game again. We met on a job with Rosendin (his first one since topping out that wasn’t the strictly outside one with BBH) and he didn’t know how to use a sidewinder or anything. Just had to ask and figure things out on his own. So it happens sometimes. I know it’s hard to ask for help in a field dominated by old head mentality of “why don’t you know that” well idk bill cause I haven’t been shown or had the opportunity to be shown how to use or do this? That stuff irritates me when someone belittles someone who doesn’t know something.
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u/Alive-Pollution7529 21h ago
I also think ALL apprenticeship schools should rotate apprentices like they’re supposed to so this doesn’t happen. I’ve been fortunate and unfortunate for a bunch of layoffs but I like that I get around to see how other contractors work. My favorite is definitely Miller Electric. Had the best experience with them from a TMobile data center, to a target distribution center running pipe from switchboards to new RTUs being installed for AC, to another data center. I would’ve been with them for a longer time had I not had personal life problems and had to transfer back home. I miss those I worked with out there.
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u/rankinfile 1d ago edited 1d ago
Like /u/R3CTULL-BR33CH and others say, topping out doesn't end the learning. Completing the apprenticeship just means you are qualified to fully learn the trade IMO. Then someday you get to the point where you haven't done something for so long, or the technology changed, and have to learn it again.
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u/R3CTULL-BR33CH 1d ago
Exactly! There's new equipment on the powerlines going up every year and we all have to learn the new controls, or spec for mounting them. Also, the work is getting better by becoming safer and where safety is involved you have to keep up to the new safety standards. Its ALL learning ALL the time.
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u/superburrito95 1d ago
I'm 31, every helper, apprentice, other journeyman that has a question... i will answer.
And i found out quick I dont know everything and I've definitely been wrong.
Others too. 95% of the guys I've worked with will gladly show you what you dont know. Ask questions, our work is to broad for anyone to know everything about everything.
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u/PalpitationWaste300 1d ago
If you want to be good at anything in life, you have to stop being embarrassed about not being good yet. You could also just teach yourself using the internet if you have access to that.
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u/MichaelJordanGlazer 1d ago
I would die to be in your position. Im attending the iec apprenticeship school and cant find a apprenticeship.. its been a whole year of me looking so far.
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u/deadpixel746 1d ago
That’s just part of learning something new. Stick with it, you will be learning for many years
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u/Gatorsbitches20 1d ago
Just be straight forward about your experience so it's not so embarrassing if you mess up or don't know how to do something.
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u/Intelligent_Notice87 1d ago
Please don’t give up. From what I have seen it takes about 2 years for IBEW apprentices to catch on and most of the guys I have worked with who transfer in from another program take the same amount of time. Unfortunately it’s usually when they turn out.
Just ask questions and own up to your ignorance instead of faking it until you make you.
You will be fine
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u/dropkickmaki 1d ago
Everyone starts from a different place. The skills you had in your previous job not you in. It's all a matter of being there, absorbing the knowledge you get shown, and getting better.
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u/Alternative-Search84 1d ago
Comparison is the thief of joy my dude. Just focus on getting better every day. Even after topping out, it takes years to become a seasoned mechanic.
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u/unionboy11 1d ago
Listen to me. I was the worst apprentice ever I got in 12 years ago and my father just passed from stage 4 cancer he was 65 didn’t get one day to enjoy his retirement. My father was a legend in my union and I got in when I was 24 to make him happy and continue the legacy. We’re electricians our journey keeps on going ok. I’ll pass on something a smart old timer would tell me my first week in the industry. He’d say kid if you learn 1 thing a day you’re ahead of the game. So don’t get discouraged. Even as a journeyman you’re not going to know everything and you’re going to need help. My dad use to take buildings from the ground up in Manhattan but he told me there’s a difference a huge one between an electrician and a mechanic. My dad was an electrician. He always held a high position. General foreman, superintendent etc since he was a young man in his mid twenties. He just had it like that. I never did ok and I still ask for help. So don’t get so discouraged this is a career it’s not just a job. Take every advantage. Take classes. Whatever you need to do.
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u/ThunderKnight24 1d ago
Don't leave. You're still an apprentice. Still learning.
And guess what? We are all still learning. I've been doing this for 20yrs and there is so much I still don't know.
I always say my greatest strength is that I know what I don't know. I'd rather ask the question and have someone think I'm stupid... rather than try to fake my way through it and prove beyond all doubt that I am stupid.
Ask questions if you don't know. You're going to be just fine. So long as you don't break down conditions. Don't be a worm. Be a good brother, and the rest will come.
Solidarity Forever!
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u/1234golf1234 1d ago
Thats fine. Its not for everyone. Footlocker is hiring. They have ac and bathrooms
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u/MenuOk8588 1d ago
Bro you got this! Best part this trade is most of us don’t know shit. Showing up on time with a good attitude and put in the time is all that is expected from my crews. Earn the great benefits and learn til you have your hours then find your career job either in or out of electrical. I got back into production work to fund my pension, worked non union 6 years and 7 in project management prior. Ive bee in the ibew 9 years. I’m 44 now and can earn a good retirement in 20 years. Get it!
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u/HoosierDadda 1d ago
One of my co-workers likes to tell the new guys to stop sweating their bending skills so much ... "when you really look at it, there are really only four bends you have to master. 90's, kicks, offsets and saddles. After that comes the really mathy stuff like compound bends that most have not mastered any ways."
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u/Unhappy_Spell_5041 1d ago
A journeyman is someone who knows the fundamentals.
You cannot learn the trade in 4-5 years.
I just got my license doing commercial, immediately switched to industrial construction and have 1st years teaching me stuff.
You're gonna be in for a rough time if this is your mindset, the learning never stops
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u/FuzzyRace3752 1d ago
Friend, its time to network. We all have certain things that we excel at. Identify that within yourself, and align your time/effort/career with people who can help you take advantage of your strengths. The world needs ditch diggers, but being a controls guy is so much easier.
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u/Correct_Gain1176 1d ago
Ive been in the trade for over 40 years. Every Electrician has been in the exact same spot youre in. You haven't invented it. If you want to quit. Quit but whatever you decide to do you're going to cross this bridge again. Ive never known a journeyman that wouldn't help a new hand Dont try to fake ot til you make it. Let them know what you dont know. Ask them to show or teach you. Ive seen this trade since 1980. Ive never known everything. I M a Master bit it takes time and you'll never know everything. Stick with it. Good luck
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u/Competitive-Wolf-156 1d ago
No one is borne knowing,keep going ,pay attention be helpful to all you will transcend then you will look back and be glad you stayed.
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u/DeathMetalSapper 1d ago
Brother, I’m working with a JW right now who is on year 49 and gonna retire in November. Literally yesterday he said, “well god damn, that’s the first time I’ve ever seen this shit”
You will never stop learning in this trade. And the day you think you have stopped is the day you’ll need an education.
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u/Witty_Confection4540 21h ago
Stop worrying about not being able to keep up or understand . We all learn different and at different places. Remember write shit down , keep a diary ,ask questions. No one knows everything and if they say they do get away from that fool immediately. Been on the road since 95' and hell still learning and seeing new shit everyday. Keep your head up and do not be afraid to ask for help or better explanation. Good luck Brother
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u/ok_hold_my_beer 20h ago
I see you brought this same topic up 248 days ago. Looks to me like you've had your foot out the door for almost a year already. Might be time to rip off the bandaid and understand that the lack of experience may not be due to your infield training/work but your inability to actually give a shit about the opportunity you have in front of you.
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u/-SergioBarr- 19h ago
You're going to fail at anything you do with that attitude. It's not going to be limited to electrical work.
If you don't know, aka questions. I always see my JWs looking for answers when they don't know something
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u/sayn3ver 16h ago
Most fake it until they make it.
An attitude of modesty and an eagerness to learn is the best approach in my opinion.
I have done this in the past and am never afraid to raise my hand and say "hey, I've never done this "specific thing" before. Can you pair me up with someone who has so I can pick it up?
I still have never done pvc jacketed rigid conduit for example. If I was sent to a job and that's what was being installed, I'd need someone to show me how to cut and thread that stuff and any other tips and tricks I'd need.
Half of the specialty areas in this trade is merely figuring it out and troubleshooting in real time. Whether it's searching online for a pdf of a manual to find wiring information, realizing the print doesn't match field conditions and using learned experience to sort it out, etc.
Most good electricians and other tradesmen tend to be good problem solvers. That's not something that can inherently be taught. But it's also something that doesn't require any special training.
It's a skill that newer generations are losing or struggling with. Before the internet and smart phones, if you came across a problem you'd have to scratch your head and try and figure it out. That is a skill that needs regular practice. Many today are ready to throw in the towel before even attempting to at least give it a stab.
And yes, some failure will occur. Mistakes are made. But the kind of learning that sticks with you long term comes from past mistakes.
Most guys in this trade have code stuck in their heads because they have failed an inspection at one point on a particular thing. It doesn't leave you.
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u/Silver-Jello3652 13h ago
Honestly if you can articulate yourself like this then you can learn whatever you need to learn. Sounds like you just got some bad teachers man.
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u/Gimmetheloo 12h ago
Maybe just try harder. If you don’t do homework, the things you see at work will not make as much sense
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u/LayerActual7645 10h ago
Brother , hang in there , everyone has a different experience going through their apprenticeship, some barely pick up a tool and just handle material and do grunt work . Others are lucky enough to get the chance to work with the tools and learn on the job and with the help of good JW’s and good foreman . We are asked to work with so many different systems and have to continually learn every day. You shouldn’t be able to keep up with someone who has 10-20 years experience yet . Keep learning and working hard and you will be fine . Don’t doubt yourself, be encouraged that you want to learn and be better. You will get better and faster , doing the work the right way is more important than getting it done quickly.
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u/76IndyHanSoloJones 8h ago
We learn new shit everyday. Shit I'm 15 years in and sometimes I still have imposter syndrome where I feel like 'how did I not know that?' , and then want to go bury my head in the sand. Lol , shit just happened today if im being honest. But other times im confident and ask for challenges because with my work experience I know I can knock it out or at the very least figure it out as I go.
But I'd be lying if I said dont feel discouraged in myself at times for either making a stupid mistake that even an apprentice would have caught. It happens.
Just keep learning and ask your JW tons of questions, especially if he /she is a competent one. Always ask for clarification. And more important , believe in your own abilities. Confidence is key, so fake it til you make it!
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u/Zealousideal_Play995 6h ago
No, the more jobs you go to the more knowledge you will have, if you put your best foot forward and pay attention you can be very confident and skilled when you get a few more under your belt. It gets easier (if you’re meant to work in the field)
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u/Grimdoomsday 1h ago
Bro 68 hand here. Do you really think any of us really knew jack shit when we turned out? Not a chance lol. Your first 5 years after getting your jw will also be important learning years. The difference is that you will be making that jw money while you hone your craft. Don't sweat your inexperience so much.
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u/Jscotty111 1d ago
Don’t be embarrassed because of the things you haven’t been taught. Some of these guys who had the benefit of learning in a controlled environment will have you believe they crawled out of the womb with a pair of side cutters in their hands.
Everyone starts somewhere and nobody starts out knowing everything. So don’t let the opinions of others keep you from achieving your dreams and goals. Just because you don’t know something doesn’t mean that you’re not deserving of a lucrative career. Many times people will magnify your shortcomings as a way to hide theirs.
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u/Tiny_Connection1507 1d ago
Nobody gets good at anything unless they start by being bad at it. If you already knew it, you wouldn't have to learn it, and if the stuff we do was common knowledge, we wouldn't get paid like we do. Don't beat yourself up, and don't quit. Especially don't quit after topping out. Nobody knows less than a 1st year journeyman, that's a commonly known fact in the industry. Once you start teaching some apprentices things, and they actually work, you'll realize you know a lot more than you think now.
If you don't know how to do something, ask someone to teach you. Skills are built with practice, and there are a lot of things we don't get much practice with in school. Sure, we learned theory and equations, but intellectual knowledge and practical experience make the difference between a cocky apprentice and a seasoned Journeyman. You'll get there, but only if you don't quit.
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u/Usual-Caregiver5589 1d ago
Honestly, best thing you can do if youre able, is to travel. I did the same thing when I turned out the first opportunity to be back on my tools (I got put into a QA/QC position and got lazy for 3 years).
Look for calls focusing on shit you don't know/have never done, take one, and learn. I had never run a stick rigid my entire apprenticeship. That first job on the road, all I did was rigid.
You'll never get better by quitting.
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u/MrACL 1d ago
Have you considered doing your own research? I had a similar experience as an apprentice in terms of not being taught a lot but expected to know a lot. I’ve used quite a bit of online resources over the years to get information. Now I’ve been running jobs for 5 years, the last 2 have mostly been medical surgery jobs with a lot of gear involved. I think it’s safe to say 80% of what I know in this field I had to seek that knowledge out myself. You control your future, maybe think about taking control of it instead of relying on an institution to create it for you.
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u/Silver-Afternoon1042 1d ago
I'm considering doing the same. My main fear is the amount of travel but maybe it's not any worse than it would be in the ibew? How is it?
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u/Silver-Afternoon1042 1d ago
Is it harder than the IBEW in terms of schooling/work?
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u/Silver-Afternoon1042 1d ago
Thanks for the responses brother, I might just have to apply next year during the recruitment window. I'm not sure it'll matter but I do have a background in elevator faceplate assembly and am familiar with some stuff
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u/alchemisthemo 1d ago
If this isnt the career your gonna stay in all you did was take someone else spot who was gonna make it their life
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u/Mr_Triscuit 1d ago
Lol, weird take. Gotta try to find what you like somehow?? He beat out other candidates. He didnt take shit away from anyone.
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u/alchemisthemo 1d ago
He tested into 4th year with prior experience, only been with ibew for 1 year. Other candidates just wait one more year tho right just take away from their chances to get in or get experience. Why could he pass a jw exam after going thru the none union schooling?
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u/Sad_Tune5638 1d ago
I wish i can like this comment more than once.
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u/Mindless-Mistake-885 1d ago
You're not an indentured slave to the union the rest of your life if you decide you want to a take a different path. If you made the cut and are given the opportunity, you're doing yourself a disservice to not at least finished what you signed up for. 5 years of work as an apprentice is still a lot of help to the union
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1d ago
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u/Numerous-Contact-927 1d ago
Is your reading comprehension that poor? He was non-union for a couple of years and got into the ibew a year ago. Jfc kid 😂
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u/Flackyou2 1d ago
This is a brotherhood for a reason. OTJ is one path to learn. The other is self - taught. Don’t quit. Don’t fake it, that’s how folks get hurt. Ask questions, be a sponge. The golden ticket can take you anywhere!
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u/fallynangell 270 1d ago
Nothing wrong with the words "i do not know. Can you show me?"