Electricity has become an important part of our way of life in the 21st century. Think about it, one of the most important things you have to do when you wake up is to reach for some sort of electronic switch ...... and that's just the beginning. Our entire way of life is dominated by electricity and appliances.
This reliance on electricity means that electricians are always needed and in high demand.
After all, people will always turn to skilled workers with the right knowledge and experience to ensure that something so important continues to run smoothly and without any problems. In this sense, electricians are one of the most important professions and a lucrative one, all things considered.
However, very few women tend to pursue a career in this field.
According to this article in your New York Times, only 2.4% of all electricians are women, and as the same article implies, this is because of all the perceptions, stereotypes, and challenges that stand in the way.
However, this trend is slowly changing!
While it's great to see a student like Nicole (pictured above) seeking to pursue an educational program after high school that will allow her to become a professional in her chosen career, not everyone thinks of jobs as electricians as being girly or geared toward women. Here are some of the reasons why.
A man's world: This field is seen as a field for men, and therefore dominated by men. But something has to give. You can't expect to see more women in the area until you, as a woman, decide to make a career out of being an electrician.
A manual labor job: Yes, the electric field is a hands-on approach that requires a lot of work and is not too much for the average woman as far as the physical aspects are concerned. As part of this particular industry, anyone, regardless of their gender, can do what needs to be done, day in and day out. And the more you work, the healthier and more skilled you will become as an electrician.
More practical, less analytical: Another misconception that deters potential female electricians is that this career is entirely about physical work and won't challenge you intellectually. However, this trade is a highly technical one that requires an analytical mind.
Physical disadvantages: Some women tend to think that the usually larger male physique is better suited for this type of work. However, while this may apply to more physical fields, such as construction, it doesn't apply to electricians. The latter sometimes have to work in small, enclosed spaces that men may find difficult to fit into, so women are better able to do the job and help with an otherwise challenging task.
While all of the points mentioned above are just stereotypes, female electricians do experience certain problems in the field. These may not be common experiences, but they are still worth mentioning because you should consider everything when determining if a particular career is right for you.
Excessive attention: Because there aren't a lot of ladies in the space, you will stand out and attract more attention than the men working in your crew. You just need to make sure you don't get distracted by that attention and stay focused on your task.
Skepticism: People outside of your crew may be skeptical of your skills based on your gender, and sometimes this can happen even if you are part of a professional team working on a site and you have put in the time to work with the experience needed to know the industry like the back of your hand. You can't hold back in this situation, with the support of your crew you need to maintain your expertise and take control of the situation.
Romantic Progress: Just like any other field where men and women work together, you will hear stories of men trying to attract co-workers at work. This is something you must handle in the way you see fit. Many women find love in the workplace, while others may ignore the progress of their male colleagues and focus on the job at hand. As long as you don't let it get in the way of your work and follow all company policies and directives set by Human Resources, this shouldn't be a big deal. That said, if you are facing too much-unwanted attention, you can seek help from HR or even your union if needed.
Favoritism: Sometimes men may feel the need to help you or your supervisor in the field may want to treat you differently than other staff members. This can ruffle a few feathers and anger your team. So make sure you stop any signs of favoritism from the start and tell your supervisor that you don't want to be treated any differently than your male counterparts.
The first step to becoming an electrician is to get an education. You can enroll in an associate degree program in electrical technology, which can be completed in a year and a half, or you can enroll in a bachelor's degree in electrical technology, which takes twice as long to complete.
Or, you can seek an apprenticeship. An apprenticeship is a four- or five-year on-the-job training program that allows you to enter the trade directly as an electrician's helper. As an apprentice, learning is less comprehensive but more field-oriented, with only a small portion of your education occurring in a school or classroom setting.
That said, it takes longer to complete an apprenticeship program than a degree program. The requirements for a new female electrician apprentice are as follows -
You may find that the requirements for apprenticeships mentioned here may vary from state to state. Whether you're getting your formal education from school or participating in an apprenticeship program, you'll still need to put in a lot of time and start at the bottom of the ladder.
The job of a female electrician is a lot like that of a male electrician - it's fun, interesting, and very practical. The tasks performed by a particular worker will vary depending on the specialty they serve, what the customer needs, the nature of the tasks they must perform, etc. Here is a brief description of the duties they perform -
Finding good jobs for women in this field is not difficult. As we said before, the demand is there, so you should be able to get the job you want and like effortlessly. If you enroll in a degree program, there are placement options available, as well as many other ways that institutions offer help to make sure you do well in terms of employment opportunities.
Take a look at the positions you will be eligible for in your career -
In an era when women were seen as family-oriented and had child care as their primary responsibility, Clark is known for being the first female electrician in American history.
As the first woman to graduate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, she also managed to earn that honor. She went on to produce and patent an early version of the graphing calculator, a brand innovation that could and did make life easier for engineers of that era and is still in use today.
She also won numerous awards in the field, authored books, and papers, and won a major award or two in her time. Clark paved the way and was able to blaze a trail to make the field better for women who wanted to enter it, and she was able to share her knowledge and experience as an educator in her later years.
When asked about her career, Edith Clarke had this to say, "There is not the same need for women engineers as there is for women doctors; but there is always a need for anyone who can do a good job."
When asked, "Can women be electricians?" we need to keep the same attitude. It happens even today. If you truly love what you do, then perceived gender roles should not be a barrier to you. Learn more about our admissions overview and sign up for a new program today.
According to a previous report, power line installers and repairers are the highest paid electricians, with an average salary of $63,090 in 2015. In the coming years, electricians who can perform tasks such as electronic system repair, industrial component wiring, and solar PV installation may have the best job opportunities.
According to the BLS, in 2019, electricians will earn a median annual salary of $56,180, well above the national median of $39,810. In addition, electricians employed in the government sector earn more than any other industry that employs electricians.
If you are ready to return to work after a workplace accident, excellent electrical tools are your best bet. Knoweasy tools are professional electrician tools that can meet the various needs of electricians when working and effectively improve the efficiency and safety of their work.
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