Is this what I signed up for?

[VoltzElectrical]

here is the start of a thread that is offered up in the hope of some interesting opinions.

I started out for my mate 5 years ago, and didn't really know one end of a battery drill from another.

Several large contracts later, we are in business together and I am nearing the end of my time at college (exam tomorrow and next Thursday).

We do a lot of large student accommodation that typically last 10 months to a year. The work is relentless and monotonous. Drilling Timber frame, pulling cable, putting up miles of basket, up and down scaffolding, steps, podiums.

And then the 2nd fix. What a bore. Endless sockets and switches and crappy light fittings.

And often working on my own. This is a boring boring boring, desperately hard and exhausting lonely existence.

i am too knackered to even think when I get home after driving an hour.

i don't pursue any of my hobbies anymore (surfing/ fishing/ canoeing).

We wait for the company to dictate which contract we will do next and at what measly trifling price that means we will have to bust a gut to get it done for 'wages'.

After reading about all the nightmares of dealing with customers and their diabolical properties and expectations I can honestly say I don't ever want to embrace the domestic market.

So there it is.

I look forward to your responses.

Yours, as ever.

 

[mechelec]

The best thing about being an electrician is that the industry is so varied. Over a considerable amount of years I have done house bashing, Heavy industrial maintenance, Control, telemetry and basic PLC work now due to the ecomomic down turn (made redundant from my last job of 13 years) I am in distribution working for a DNO carrying out faultfinding on the LV network, HV switching etc. Never be afraid to apply for jobs you dont think you will get (although be honest to a point) I have seen it many times if you come across well at interview you may get the job even if you are not as experianced as others and dont dispair something more interesting and challenging may just be around the corner

 

[SMB]

Wanted..........

"A row of empty terraced houses to rewire. No occupants / inmates, pets or carpets required."



easy, no hassle.
laugh.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

SMB thanks for the kind words. I think the exam went well. I got 96% on the last one. got my practical (testing and fault finding) next Thursday.

Radio 4 doesn't win the awards it does for nothing. Others may laugh but it is my constant companion. and good books. I can recommend the Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson. I can't put them down. I've read them twice. That and the Border Trilogy by Cormac McCarthy. And The Road. I'm a book junky.

You can keep the telly. Although I enjoy masterchef, and the apprentice. And a good documentary.

Great thread though, and some lovely honest comments.

Done the 'crying on the beach' thing too, but that was a few years ago and for other reasons.

Regards all.

 

[elektrisien]

Yes, good luck, may you pass !

 

[topquark]

Well done and best of luck with the practical!

 

[SMB]

mastercheif my butt.

i wouldnt say 'thankyou' for a TV.

The ball is in your court old bean. This is your life



Electrics are not the be all and end all.


Pick whats best for you.

 

[sparky1502]

im very confused how does being religious help?
(not saying anything bad just confused)
-dont think i could ever work 7 days a week for too long

well its helps because it enables me to switch of and think about something else for a while people do this in a variety of ways booze, books, fishing but i study the bible. i never intended to work 7 days but its been over a year now lol

 

[SMB]

your a lucky man if youve 'got' god.

 

[rocker]

VoltzElectrical I think a 'sodeways step' is a good idea, especially if you have the time to kill.

SMB if you have problems with anything in your job just post it on here, someone will know.

Don't know how anyone could go off domestic rewires... I love them, they make me so cross for a day or two but at the end I can look at it and go 'well, I beat it, and then I did a damned good job.' Know what you mean about the occupants sometimes, though......

 

[SMB]

Voltz.....if your into reading then treat yourself to some Niall Griffiths, start with 'grits', read his books in the order he wrote them.

Rocker....I have found people here helpful, however I think this job is beyond me. The whole situation has upset me to the extent of feeling ill and letting my son down.

 

[SMB]

Wheres me valium....?

Grin.