6 ms·

As someone who grew up on construction sites before escaping to cushy office work, I can tell you that there are a lot of negatives that many don't consider whe

As someone who grew up on construction sites before escaping to cushy office work, I can tell you that there are a lot of negatives that many don't consider when romanticizing the trades. Physical work means physical risks: From injuries to long term issues with knees, backs and shoulders. From constant exposure to toxic materials to the ever enjoyable dust boogers. There's a reason that tradespeople get paid what they do. (and IMO, it is still very underpaid)

raverbashing 5y ago
Correct Electricians have to work in less than desirable conditions (dusty attics, outdoors, etc). Most of the material is your responsibility. Accidents can and do happen. The days where you are less than 100% but you would be able to WFH don't exist. Think it's annoying to plug a network cable under your desk? It's like that but 7hrs per day or more.
- edgyquant 5y ago
  Electrical is like plugging in a network cable through the wall and up the ceiling, then down a really slim corridor to another wall, before finally placing the cord in the PC (all while trying to not pump another cord going the same route.) I worked beside a couple of electricians in my early 20s and it was fun but frustrating (like programming.)
- walshemj 5y ago
  And developers don't have the risk of death by electrocution even with low voltage - when you work with Medium and High voltage its a lot more dangerous
handrous 5y ago
From what I've seen, the smart ones with good business sense are the ones who make real money in the trades, and they're mostly doing sales, supervision, training, and maybe personally handling some limited amount of the trickier bits of the actual labor (or cases where they have to come back to fix things, if they really care about customer service), by some time in their 30s. They may acquire some minor, persistent aches and pains from the work in their 20s or early 30s, but are mostly out of the rougher side of the job before it seriously harms their QOL. Like a lot of business, the real money's in selling other people's labor at a markup, not in selling your own labor.
- wintermutestwin 5y ago
  Quite correct, but I would add that a necessary skill is also in being able to herd cats with a high turnover workforce that is made up with a high percentage of semi-functional addicts and/or flakes.
- PaulDavisThe1st 5y ago
  > Like a lot of business, the real money's in selling other people's labor at a markup, not in selling your own labor. I hate that this is true, and am glad I found a way to make a living that avoids both, but congratulations on getting to the core of the matter with great clarity.
  - mkmcde 5y ago
    What do you do? Looking to do the same.
bennysomething 5y ago
Funnily enough I actually grew up on building sites too, my dad was a builder / small time property developer. Out of all the trades I noticed the electricians had it easiest. I distinctly remember holding plaster board above my head while standing on scaffolding while a joiner (USA speak: carpenter) nailed it to the ceiling. And him telling me "see this is why you should pass your exams so you don't end up doing this". However it was obvious who the smart guys were they had their own businesses and directed their guys rather than do the dirty work. When I was 16 I said to my parents I was thinking of doing electrician apprenticeship, my dad said it would be a shame to miss out on the fun and adventure of university, so I did that instead. Think it was a mistake.

raverbashing 5y ago

Correct Electricians have to work in less than desirable conditions (dusty attics, outdoors, etc). Most of the material is your responsibility. Accidents can and do happen. The days where you are less than 100% but you would be able to WFH don't exist. Think it's annoying to plug a network cable under your desk? It's like that but 7hrs per day or more.

edgyquant 5y ago
Electrical is like plugging in a network cable through the wall and up the ceiling, then down a really slim corridor to another wall, before finally placing the cord in the PC (all while trying to not pump another cord going the same route.) I worked beside a couple of electricians in my early 20s and it was fun but frustrating (like programming.)
walshemj 5y ago
And developers don't have the risk of death by electrocution even with low voltage - when you work with Medium and High voltage its a lot more dangerous

handrous 5y ago

From what I've seen, the smart ones with good business sense are the ones who make real money in the trades, and they're mostly doing sales, supervision, training, and maybe personally handling some limited amount of the trickier bits of the actual labor (or cases where they have to come back to fix things, if they really care about customer service), by some time in their 30s. They may acquire some minor, persistent aches and pains from the work in their 20s or early 30s, but are mostly out of the rougher side of the job before it seriously harms their QOL. Like a lot of business, the real money's in selling other people's labor at a markup, not in selling your own labor.

wintermutestwin 5y ago
Quite correct, but I would add that a necessary skill is also in being able to herd cats with a high turnover workforce that is made up with a high percentage of semi-functional addicts and/or flakes.
PaulDavisThe1st 5y ago
> Like a lot of business, the real money's in selling other people's labor at a markup, not in selling your own labor. I hate that this is true, and am glad I found a way to make a living that avoids both, but congratulations on getting to the core of the matter with great clarity.
- mkmcde 5y ago
  What do you do? Looking to do the same.

bennysomething 5y ago

Funnily enough I actually grew up on building sites too, my dad was a builder / small time property developer. Out of all the trades I noticed the electricians had it easiest. I distinctly remember holding plaster board above my head while standing on scaffolding while a joiner (USA speak: carpenter) nailed it to the ceiling. And him telling me "see this is why you should pass your exams so you don't end up doing this". However it was obvious who the smart guys were they had their own businesses and directed their guys rather than do the dirty work. When I was 16 I said to my parents I was thinking of doing electrician apprenticeship, my dad said it would be a shame to miss out on the fun and adventure of university, so I did that instead. Think it was a mistake.