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I have a strange career question for you.
- Thread starter waloshin
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spinnerlys
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I don't know if a career as an electrician has a more promising future as a computer technician, but there is probably a good future in the field of new and renewable energy.
Computer technicians will always be needed, as computers are part of our daily life now and they will get even bigger parts in the future.
But they also always need some kind of electricity, so one needs the other, and in some parts vice versa.
Computer technicians will always be needed, as computers are part of our daily life now and they will get even bigger parts in the future.
But they also always need some kind of electricity, so one needs the other, and in some parts vice versa.
steve2112
macrumors 68040
It depends...do you like doing electrical stuff? If not, I wouldn't go into that field. There's no point going into a career field if you don't like the work.
Electricians are kind of like plumbers, in that there will always be a need for them. The catch is that a lot of their work depends on new construction/remodeling, so when the construction market tanks, the amount of work declines. I think there will be an increase in specialty areas like solar panels and other green tech, but I don't see that much of an increase in the career.
There is always a need for skilled tradespeople, and usually a shortage. I think it's a real shame that we don't encourage more high school students to consider these type of careers. Not everybody needs to go to a four year university.
Electricians are kind of like plumbers, in that there will always be a need for them. The catch is that a lot of their work depends on new construction/remodeling, so when the construction market tanks, the amount of work declines. I think there will be an increase in specialty areas like solar panels and other green tech, but I don't see that much of an increase in the career.
There is always a need for skilled tradespeople, and usually a shortage. I think it's a real shame that we don't encourage more high school students to consider these type of careers. Not everybody needs to go to a four year university.
Techhie
macrumors 65816
Electricians handle the wiring tasks associated with homes and buildings, while computer related electricians/technicians handle slightly more complex circuitry and part integration. It all depends on what you like doing, but the difference being a rather stagnant demand for electricians and a rapidly growing market for computer related technicians to coincide with the "technical age"
steve2112
macrumors 68040
Not really. I'm in the field, and I never do hard core electrical work. If I need to fix any hardware, parts usually get replaced, not repaired. It can be handy, though if you are interested in that sort of thing. One of the guys I work with was an electrician, and he has done a lot of work wiring up rack sized UPSs, and running power outlets to comm closets. It lets us get stuff done faster, since we don't have to wait around for the electricians to show up. Other than that, though, you wouldn't really do a lot of electrical stuff.
True. You can also charge the client for the electrical work performed by yourself. Little more money in your pocket.
steve2112
macrumors 68040
A lot more money, from what I have seen of electricians' rates. 🙂
My brother is an electrician, and makes more money than I do as a network administrator. OK, he's actually a project manager now, but he still made good money when he was in the field as an electrician. It's funny...when I worked for a computer consulting firm, customers would sometimes complain about our hourly rate. I always asked them if they had priced a plumber or electrician lately.
I just had some work done at my house, holy cow! I should have become an electrician.
ejb190
macrumors 65816
As homes becomes more and more "wired" I think your starting to see a bit more crossover between the two. I know a guy who is an electrician and computer tech who specialized in high end home theater installation. With computers and networks becoming a larger part of home theaters, I could see someone going that route.