Starting at the Bottom with a Purpose
When I first stepped into the electrical trade, I didn’t know everything I was signing up for—but I knew one thing: I wanted to build something with my own two hands. Growing up in Massachusetts, I was surrounded by people who valued hard work, and I knew that a skilled trade could give me both a reliable living and a real purpose. I wasn’t afraid to start from the bottom, and I think that’s one of the most important things you can do if you’re serious about this line of work.
I enrolled at Martin Electrical & Technical School in Norwood, which set the foundation for everything I’ve done since. The instructors there weren’t just teachers—they were seasoned professionals with years of field experience. They didn’t sugarcoat anything, and that’s exactly what I needed. They taught me not just how to pass the licensing exam, but how to work safely, think critically, and take pride in what I do.
Learning the Trade the Right Way
The apprentice years can be tough. You’re the new guy, constantly being told what to do, often doing the heavy lifting, crawling through attics, or digging trenches. But here’s the thing—every single task, no matter how small it seemed at the time, taught me something. Whether it was running wire through a tight wall cavity or watching how a journeyman handled a difficult customer, I soaked it all in.
Apprenticeship is more than just learning the technical stuff. It’s about learning the culture of the trade. You find out quickly that being on time, respecting your crew, and keeping your workspace clean are just as important as knowing how to wire a panel. That discipline sticks with you, and it’s part of what separates a professional from someone who just shows up for a paycheck.
Becoming a Journeyman: Confidence Meets Responsibility
Passing the exam and becoming a journeyman felt like a huge milestone. I had earned a title, and with that came both confidence and responsibility. I could now take on more complex jobs, work independently, and start building a reputation of my own. It’s a great feeling—but it also comes with pressure. People are depending on you to do it right the first time.
This is the stage where you really start thinking long-term. Am I learning everything I can? Do I want to specialize? Could I one day run my own jobs—or even my own business? For me, I stayed curious. I took on jobs in residential, commercial, and industrial settings so I could get a broad range of experience. Each one had its own challenges, and each one taught me something different about troubleshooting, project management, and customer service.
Mentorship Matters
One thing that’s made a huge difference in my career is mentorship. I had great mentors early on—guys who didn’t just bark orders but took the time to explain why we were doing things a certain way. They taught me how to think through a problem, not just follow instructions. Now that I’ve been in the trade for a while, I try to return the favor whenever I can. Whether it’s an apprentice on the job site or someone still in trade school, I believe in sharing what I’ve learned.
Mentorship is how we keep the quality of the trade alive. There’s so much you can’t learn from a textbook or a YouTube video. Real-life experience, shared one-on-one, is what really shapes a skilled electrician.
What It Means to Be a Master in the Trade
Reaching a “master” level doesn’t happen overnight—and to be honest, I think it’s less about the title and more about the mindset. A master electrician is someone who’s not just good with tools, but someone who leads, teaches, and thinks ahead. It means staying up-to-date with code changes, understanding new technologies like solar and smart systems, and being able to run a job from start to finish.
It also means making decisions that affect safety, timelines, and budgets. There’s a lot of responsibility that comes with experience, but it’s rewarding. You’re not just wiring a building—you’re ensuring it’s safe, efficient, and built to last. You become someone people rely on and trust.
The Importance of Ongoing Learning
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you never stop learning in this trade. Just because you’ve been doing it for 10 or 20 years doesn’t mean you’ve seen it all. Codes change. Tools evolve. New systems hit the market. If you’re not willing to keep up, you fall behind. I take continuing education seriously, and I encourage anyone who wants to grow in this field to do the same. Take a course. Go to a workshop. Ask questions. It all adds up.
Final Thoughts
From the day I pulled my first wire as an apprentice to where I am now, this journey has been about growth—personally, professionally, and even spiritually. The electrical trade has given me a sense of purpose and a way to give back to my community. I’ve worked in homes, schools, churches, and businesses. I’ve mentored young electricians, and I’ve been mentored myself.
If you’re just getting started, know this: it’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. Show up. Listen. Work hard. Respect the trade, and it will respect you back. Whether you dream of running your own business, teaching others, or just becoming the best electrician you can be, the path is there. One job at a time. One lesson at a time.
And who knows? Someday, you might be the one passing down the knowledge to someone just getting started—just like someone once did for you.