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The original was posted on /r/electricians by /u/Agitated_Ebb9756 on 2024-01-14 19:46:11+00:00.
I'm looking to get into my local IBEW's apprenticeship program and start a career as an electrician. My concern is that I don't have much of a background or experience relevant to even get my foot in the door and clear the aptitude test or the interview. At this point in my life my only work experience is two years at Domino's as a delivery driver and a year at Pepsi where I started as an assembler and have risen to auditor and forklift operator within a year. I didn't do particularly well in high school, especially on mathematics because of some mental health issues (which have since passed) which prevented me from applying myself in school. I had to retake algebra in my senior year and had to drop honors English because I kept missing school and not doing the assigned homework.
Given my lack of experience, I've been considering going to my local community college and getting an AAS degree in their Electrical Engineering Technology program. Doing so should give me a solid foundation to start my career and correct my poor academic record in high school. The cost of schooling would be low or free if I can get a Pell Grant, the only downside I can see is that it would possibly delay my apprenticeship by two years.