Assessing a Career in Business

Assessing a Career in Business

Michael B. Oviatt
Salt Lake Community College

Assessing a Career in Business

Job Description
Job duties and tasks for an Electrician include but are not limited to:

Assemble, install, test, and maintain electrical or electronic wiring, equipment,

appliances, apparatus, and fixtures, using hand tools and power tools
Diagnose malfunctioning systems, apparatus, and components, using test equipment and
hand tools, to locate the cause of a breakdown and correct the problem
Connect wires to circuit breakers, transformers, or other components
Inspect electrical systems, equipment, and components to identify hazards, defects, and
the need for adjustment or repair, and to ensure compliance with codes
Advise management on whether continued operation of equipment could be hazardous
Test electrical systems and continuity of circuits in electrical wiring, equipment, and
fixtures, using testing devices such as ohmmeters, voltmeters, and oscilloscopes, to
ensure compatibility and safety equipment
(Electrician, n.d.)
Quick Facts: Electricians

2012 Median Pay

$49,840 per year

$23.96 per hour

Entry-Level Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Work Experience in a Related Occupation

None

On-the-job Training

Apprenticeship

Number of Jobs, 2012

583,500

Job Outlook, 2012-22

20% (Faster than average)

Employment Change, 2012-22

114,700

(Utah Electrical JATC, n.d.) *retrieved from http://www.uejatc.org

General Career Path

After obtaining a high school diploma and working in an entry level position it is possible to gain
knowledge and requirements toward an apprenticeship. An education from a technical school
will prepare students for testing at a state level for an Electrical Contractor License. There are
many companies in the electrical field that offer jobs to novice entry level employees while
providing incentives and even reimbursement for becoming electricians and for continuing
education.
General Education Experience

Assessing a Career in Business

According to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, in order to
become an electrician a high school diploma is required. Some electricians start by attending a
technical school and then usually receive credit toward their 4-5 year apprenticeship.
Electricians may be required to take continuing education courses.
Specific laws for the state of Utah include additional guidelines. Listed under the state law code:
R156. Commerce, Occupational and Professional Licensing. Rule R156-55b. Electricians
Licensing Act Rule.
Qualifications for LicensureEducation and Experience Requirements (Section 302a):
(a) a program of electrical study approved by the Utah Board of Regents, Utah College of
Applied Technology Board of Trustees or other out of state program that is deemed
substantially equivalent as determined by the Electricians Licensing Board. Programs approved
by the Electricians Licensing Board prior to January 1, 2009 remain approved programs; and
(b) at least two years of work experience as a licensed apprentice consistent with Section
R156-55b-302b.
(2) In accordance with Subsection 58-55-302(3)(h)(i), the approved four year planned
training program for licensure as a journeyman electrician consists of:
(a) a program of electrical study approved by the Utah Board of Regents, Utah College of
Applied Technology Board of Trustees or other out of state program that is deemed
substantially equivalent as determined by the Electricians Licensing Board. Programs approved
by the Electricians Licensing Board prior to January 1, 2009 remain approved programs; and
(b) at least four years of work experience as a licensed apprentice consistent with Section
R156-55b-302b.
(3) A semester of school shall include at least 81 hours of classroom instruction time. A
student shall attend a minimum of 72 hours to receive credit for the semester.
(4) A competency exam shall be given to each student at the end of each semester with the
exception of the fourth year second semester. A student, to continue to the next semester, shall
achieve a score of 75% or higher on the competency exam. A student who scores below 75%
may retake the test one time.
(5) The applicant shall pass each class with a minimum score of 75%.
(6) Competency test results shall be provided to the Board at the Board meeting immediately
following the semester in a format approved by the Board.
(7) An applicant for a master electrician license, applying pursuant to Subsection 58-55302(3)(f)(i) shall be a graduate of an electrical program accredited by the Engineering

Assessing a Career in Business

Accreditation Commission/Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology

(EAC/ABET).
(8) An applicant shall provide documentation that all education and experience meets the
requirements of this rule.
(UDAS, Utah.gov, n.d.)

Average Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary in 2012 for an electrician
was $49,840 per year/$23.96 per hour
(BLS, n.d.)
Career Outlook
BLS speculates that from 2012 to 2022 the electrician employment is projected to grow by 20
percent. This is faster that the average for all occupations. Electricians with the widest variety
of skills should have the best job opportunities.
(BLS, n.d.)
Bio of Professional
During my interview with Clayton Haight, owner and operator of Clayton Construction I learned
that requirements for an electrician have changed greatly over the last 20 years in the state of
Utah. Following directly after high school Clayton began working for a soil testing company in
the Greater Salt Lake area. After several years he decided to venture in to construction, he
advised that he was always interested in concrete work, electrical was more of a hobby at that
time. Clayton shared that he has always learned more with hands on experience and working
with men and women that knew what they were doingall the while being able to see it in
personmuch more so than learning from an instructor. Clayton stated it was much more
difficult to read from a physical book and put in unpaid time assisting electricians and engineers
than it is now days when anyone can look up just about anything on youtube and other websites.
It wasnt until the early 90s, after Clayton had independently hard wired several homes, all of
which passed inspection that he decided to become certified and licensed. Clayton attended
Trade Tech where he completed required classes he needed to take the state licensing test.
Clayton was able to claim several of his work hours throughout that period as apprenticeship
hours with the help of the supervisors that oversaw his work.

Assessing a Career in Business

Clayton now owns and operates Clayton Construction and works primarily in the concrete
business, but does still maintain his licensing as an electrical contractor. The job market for
electricians has changed dramatically. It was mentioned many times that electrical engineers are
more sought after than electricians therefore the pay scale hasnt increased greatly.
The interview was extremely productive. I was able to ask many questions and was grateful to
get advice from someone actually in the field rather than a website. This was a very beneficial
assignment.
(C. Haight, personal interview, August 1, 2015)
Pros and Cons
Pros include:

Challenging
Average to higher salary
Job Security based on need (need is higher)
Able to work independently

Disadvantages:

High overhead if choosing to own and operate business

Can be physically challenging advice work with your brains and not your back
At least 5 years devoted to education and apprenticeship

My Fit with this career

I am not sure how I feel completely about this career. After interviewing with Clayton and
research all of the ins and outs of becoming an electrician I am leaning more toward becoming
an electrical engineer. I have research engineering since completing this assignment and plan to
make contacts with electrical engineers for interviewsfor my own personal benefit. I am
committed to my education and believe that when I decide on what I really want to do with the
rest of my life I will be able to submerge myself completely. This assignment made me very
excited to learn more about a career I am very interested in but after all of the information I have
read I am able to see the disadvantages and Im not as dead set on it as I was before. All in all,
this was a wonderful assignment, one Im sure I will not forget.

Assessing a Career in Business

REFERENCES
C. Haight, personal interview, August 1, 2015
"Electrician" Job Description - Part 1. (n.d.). Retrieved August 2, 2015, from http://jobdescriptions.careerplanner.com/electricians.cfm
BLS, (n.d.), Occupational Outlook Handbook: Electricians. Retrieved August 1, 2015, from
http://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/electricians.htm#tab-4
Utah Department of Administrative Services Division of Administrative Rules. (n.d.). Retrieved
July 31, 2015, from http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r156/r156-55b.htm
What is Apprenticeship? (n.d.). Retrieved July 30, 2015, from http://www.uejatc.org/