Prior roles: high voltage electrician, maintenance electrician Location: Moorpark, ca
years in the trade: 15 years
@frankersparky
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They also don’t understand the time away from our families, they see us with the nice trucks, toys, and the big family vacations and the old “must be nice” saying starts coming out.
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Stories in the trade
This series hands the mic to the folks who keep the lights on—how they got in, what they’ve seen, and where the trade’s headed
How did you first hear about the trade (family, school, etc.) and how did you get into your first role (hall, training, school)?
My wife’s grandpa had be telling me for years when her and I were dating to get into the trade, he was a career electrician. But me being a stubborn headed kid at first didn’t want to listen. I originally tried to get into the local 11 apprenticeship but got stuck on the wait list, I got tired of waiting did some research and found I could put myself into trade school and register with the state as an electrical trainee. I called every electrical contractor in my area for like 2 weeks until one finally broke down and said yes.
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If someone tell you something, even if you already know it respond with thank you.
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What’s one thing about this work that outsiders totally misunderstand?
Pretty much the whole scope of the job. They don’t understand how the power gets from the stations to the poles then to their houses. They also don’t understand the time away from our families, they see us with the nice trucks, toys, and the big family vacations and the old “must be nice” saying starts coming out. They don’t see us not being able to tuck our kids in, or the sacrifices we have to make to get those things for our families.
What kind of person thrives in this work? What kind of person doesn’t?
Someone that thrives would be someone with a strong work ethic and is able to think on their feet, adapt to any situation, and want to constantly progress in the trade. Someone that won’t is someone that’s just here for a pay check.
What advice would you give to someone who's just thinking about joining the trades?
Grab every bit of knowledge from anyone that’s able to give it. If someone tell you something, even if you already know it respond with thank you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand something, our job is dangerous and if you’re unsure make sure to get clarification, one wrong move in our trade could cost you your life.
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It definitely takes a strong woman to be a wife in our trade.
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Have you worked in both union and non-union environments? What felt different day to day—training, safety, culture, pay, travel, advancement?
I started off non union and the pay was eh, the training wasn’t great either. Once I went union it was the greatest choice I’ve made. The comradery and brotherhood I’ve experienced is amazing.
How do you handle stacking OT or traveling for the job while having a family?
I rely on my wife a lot. There’s plenty of days she gets a phone call from me close to end of shift saying it’s going late or in the middle of the night phone calls for call outs. She’s the strongest woman I know and it definitely takes a strong woman to be a wife in our trade. I do try my hardest to not miss one of my sons hockey games or one of my daughters dance competitions.
What’s your career path look like (past, present, and future plans)?
I started off working for an electrical contractor doing mainly industrial electrical. I went from that to being a maintenance electrician at a silicone manufacturing plant, then got pick up at Budweiser as a maintenance electrician. I got the opportunity to become a high voltage electrical at Budweiser and finally got picked up for the electrical mechanic apprenticeship at LADWP where I made journeyman last March.
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Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand something, our job is dangerous and if you’re unsure make sure to get clarification, one wrong move in our trade could cost you your life.
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we’re opening the floor to the folks who do the work
⚡ Features of real workers in the trade ⚡ Craft features
⚡ Tips for the trade
Just real experiences, real lessons learned, and real advice from people who do this work every day.
High Voltage Industries started because the most dangerous and essential work in America is also the most invisible. You put your lives on the line every single day and people don't even know what you do.
We're here to share your stories and honor the sacrifices you make so people can flip a switch every day. And we make gear for those who literally risk their lives to keep the world running.
This is your story
Working in conditions others won't face, taking risks others can’t even imagine, solving problems others can't understand, carrying responsibility others can't handle. The grid doesn't maintain itself.
We're telling that story.
Best for the crew
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