I am finally and officially graduated.
From Red Rocks Community College, I completed my degree-seeking education which I began in the summer 2008 semester. I now hold two AAS degrees: Construction Electrician and Maintenance Electrician, with honors. I also earned the Advanced Instrumentation and Controls Technician certificate as I completed all of the controls classes that were available in the electrical program.
From IEC, I completed the apprenticeship training program which I began in the Fall of 2009. I was recognized as the top student for my class. I won the regional wire-off competition, earning the title Apprentice of the Year for the rocky mountain region.
Of course, my education will never be complete. There is so much to learn and experience and I love to learn. There are a number of classes I would like to take, and I plan on taking one to two every semester, beginning with time management.
I have 600 hours remaining until I can test for my journeyman’s license and it can’t get here soon enough. That said, the closer and closer I get to having my license, the more and more I realize that I know less and less about being an electrician. There are so many facets to the trade that it will take years to master, which I think is great – I love a good challenge. I look forward to all of the learning and experiences I will have in the future in such a fun-filled vocation.
Dear Ross,
How do you handle the pressure of being an master apprentice.
Rick,
I use a two wire automatic control circuit with a pressure switch connected to a solenoid valve as a safety release mechanism for situations in which the pressure may exceed specifications.