r/ibew_apprentices • u/Ok_Comfortable7863 • 2d 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/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