Electrician In the state of Mississippi, 7,300 people were employed as electricians, which is nothing compared to the 577,000 people employed nation-wide in 2010 (“Electrician”). An electrician is important in many ways; they enable people to have electricity in their houses and fix any problems that may occur. Their work can range from maintenance to even putting up street lights. Before someone considers following the occupation as an electrician, he or she must first understand all the aspects of their work, as well as the many qualifications necessary to being an electrician. The job description of an electrician is varied as well as intense. The variation of an electrician’s job is due to the many different types of electricians. There are maintenance electricians, linemen, indoor wiremen, and many more. As a maintenance electrician one’s job is to install and repair electrical systems using their tools as well as blueprints, schematics, manuals, and electrical code (“Electrician”). One way a maintenance electrician fixes problems is through troubleshooting; troubleshooting, as one would say, “Is a form of problem solving, often applied to repair failed products or processes; it is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem so that it can be solved, and so products or processes can be made operational again.” The technique of troubleshooting is used in many fields such as engineering, systems administration, electronics (electrician), automotive repair, and diagnostic medicine (“Troubleshooting”). In addition to maintenance electricians, there are also construction electricians such as linemen and indoor wiremen. The job of a linemen is to actually build structures (poles, towers, or cross arms) that will hold electrical wiring and to replace any old or damaged structures (“Career as an Electrician/Electrical Contractor”). Before linemen make or place these various structures they have to blueprint; as one would say, “Blueprinting is making a reproduction of a technical drawing, documenting architecture or an engineering design, using a contact print process on light sensitive sheets (“Blueprint”).” Indoor wiremen install conduits that hold power feeders which help whatever building they are working in to get power/electricity. When it comes to connecting wires and fixtures there are many steps, but the main thing one must know is, if they will connect wires and fixtures they must install an electrical box and update the wiring method to the current electrical code. As long as the insulation on the wires is still intact one does not have to change it, but if not, one has to change it or the wires will be damaged (“How to Connect Old Wiring to a New Light Fixture”). An electrician’s inventory varies because the must be prepared for any situation that is thrown at them. Some of the tools they keep on hand are: allen wrenches, rocksaws, files, punchs, screwdrivers, rulers, measuring tape, plumb bobs, power cutting and threading tools, wattmeter’s, multimeters, dynamometers, etc. (“Career as an Electrician/Electrical Contractor”). When it comes to testing equipment there are several things one can test, all requiring different tools; one can measure voltage (either in our out of a circuit), they can measure current, resistance, but to be able to fully test components one must read and retain the color code because the colors are vital to knowing what one is testing (Testing Electronic Components). As an electrician one must take certain educational and training courses to be qualified as a professional electrician. While in high school, aspiring electricians should take classes such as architecture and construction classes, as well as, construction pathway (“Electrician”). They should also take mechanical and shop classes to familiarize themselves with certain tools (“Electricians”). Other classes one should take are Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Biology (safety), Geography (knowing location), and Economics (supply and demand) (Young Jr.). As C.J. Henderson would say, “Job training consists of two to three months of classroom instruction, including practice in the installation and repair of electrical wiring systems (Henderson 74).” Courses in job training cover the fundamentals of electricity, electrical circuit troubleshooting, safety procedures, and techniques for wiring switches, outlets, and junction boxes (Henderson). Another form of training C.J. Henderson mentions is apprenticeship; he says, “Apprenticeship gives trainees a thorough knowledge of all aspects of the trade and generally improves their ability to find a job mainly because those who complete apprenticeship programs qualify to do both maintenance and construction work.” He also says, “In the classroom apprentices learn blueprint reading, electrical theory, math, electrical code requirements, and safety and first aid practices (Henderson 74).” A majority of apprenticeship programs are 4-years long, but some are longer (“Electricians”). As one would say, “For each year of the program apprentices must complete at least 144 hours of technical training and 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training (“Electricians”).” One would say, “Some states and municipalities require that electricians be licensed.” States that require this are Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming, plus the District of Columbia (“Electricians.” Pg.93). In order for an electrician to get their license they must pass an examination that tests their knowledge of electrical theory, the National Electrical Code, and local and building codes. Electricians can also receive specialized training in welding, communications, fire alarm systems, and cranes and elevators which will open many more opportunities relating to jobs (Henderson 74). As an electrician there are certain physical and personality requirements one must meet. The physical requirements of this profession are: strength, agility, manual dexterity, color vision, good health, and stamina (“Career as an Electrician/Electrical Contractor”). They must also have a love for working with their hands. Color vision is very necessary because they have to identify many colored wires (“Electricians”). Electricians should have the ability to use hand tools and must have a preference for physical work (Henderson). As far as personality requirements one must have good time management, problem solving skills, decision making skills, teamwork skills, etc. They must be friendly since they encounter numerous people daily; they must also be able to direct others or lead a team (“Electricians”). One might say, “Electricians must have an aptitude for mathematics and sciences, must have a high level of reading comprehension and understand abstract concepts, and must be able to interpret the relationship between one-dimensional blueprints and three-dimensional buildings.” They must have good judgment and must be able to make sound decisions at the right time (“Career as an Electrician/Electrical Contractor”). Electricians should also be skilled in construction/carpentry, and have good CPU skills (Young Jr.). When one has the profession of an electrician, they have various work environments, schedules, and conditions. As an electrician one is forced to work both indoors and outdoors, as well as in many uncomfortable spaces (“Electricians”). As C.J. Henderson says, “Their work can be dusty, dirty, hot or wet, or in confined areas, ditches, or other uncomfortable places (Henderson 73).” Being an electrician requires people to work at heights above 8 feet on things such as poles, ladders, catwalks, and scaffoldings (“Electrician”). Working as an electrician presents the risks of being shocked, burnt, cut, or even falling (“Electricians”). As one may say, “Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices (“Electrician”).