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The original was posted on /r/electricians by /u/ConfectionFew9784 on 2024-01-12 21:09:19+00:00.
I am 26 years old with a masters degree in electrical power engineering at one of the best universities in Europe. I was always a good student and throughout my academic career, I did pretty interesting internships such as designing a mathematical prediction model for a new wind farm to lab testing for my master thesis project costing over 100k euro’s/dollars. During my studies, I was always slightly depressed because I was working behind a laptop and moments where I was able to build something with my hands were the moments I was the happiest. I thought this would change once I started working and therefore do not have any academic related stress. Since recently, I have joined the workforce as an engineer/researcher at a multinational and I realize that I still have this feeling of dread when sitting behind a laptop for too long.
I came to realization that I actually love solving simpler electrical problems and working with my hands. Whenever, something breaks at home, I get an immense feeling of joy and accomplishment after fixing it which lacks when doing my regular job. The idea of changing careers from an electrical engineer to electrician is becoming more and more attractive in my head and I do want to make that step. My end goal is working for myself, solving electrical housing issues, installing basic security systems for homes, transforming to smart homes etc. I do realize that even I studied electrical engineering, being an electrician is still an unfamiliar field where I have to build skills in. That is why I decided to apply as a junior electrician at a company, building experience until I am confident on my own. The issue is, no one is accepting me because I am overqualified and they need someone for the long-term. How can I alternatively build the skills to run my own business without working as an employee first?
Thanks