Hobbies such as repairing radios, building electronics kits, or working with model electric trains will help you understand the work of electricians. In addition to sampling related activities like these, you may benefit by arranging to talk with an electrician about his or her job. With the help of a teacher or school counselor, it may be possible to contact a local electrical contracting firm and arrange an information interview with an electrician.
Join your school's electronics club. If one doesn't exist, start one. Participate in competitions to test your skills against others who are interested in electronics. For example, SkillsUSA, a "national membership organization serving middle-school, high-school, and college/postsecondary students who are preparing for careers in trade, technical, and skilled service occupations,” offers several electricity-related competitions including the Electrical Construction Wiring Competition. Visit https://www.skillsusa.org/competition/electrical-construction-wiring/ for more information.
Visit Explore the Trades (https://explorethetrades.org), which provides detailed information on education and careers for electricians, plumbers, and heating and cooling technicians.
- Architects
- Asbestos Abatement Technicians
- Assessors and Appraisers
- Biofuels Processing Technicians
- Biofuels Production Managers
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Biomass Plant Technicians
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Boilermakers and Mechanics
- Bricklayers and Stonemasons
- Building Automation Systems Engineers
- Building Automation Systems Technicians
- Building Performance Diagnosticians
- Carpenters
- Cement Masons
- Chemical Engineers
- Chemical Technicians
- Chemists
- Chimney Sweeps
- Civil Engineering Technicians
- Civil Engineers
- Coal Miners
- Computer-Aided Design Drafters and Technicians
- Construction Inspectors
- Construction Laborers
- Construction Managers
- Cost Estimators
- Divers and Diving Technicians
- Drafters
- Drywall Installers and Finishers
- Elevator Installers and Repairers
- Energy Brokers
- Energy Conservation Technicians
- Energy Consultants
- Energy Efficiency Engineers
- Energy Transmission and Distribution Workers
- Engineering Technicians
- Engineers
- Environmental Engineers
- Floor Covering Installers
- Fluid Power Technicians
- Fuel Cell Engineers
- Fuel Cell Technicians
- Futurists
- General Maintenance Mechanics
- Geodetic Surveyors
- Geological Technicians
- Geologists
- Geophysicists
- Geotechnical Engineers
- Geothermal Energy Industry Workers
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Geothermal Technicians
- Glaziers
- Green Builders
- Groundwater Professionals
- Heating and Cooling Technicians
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
- Hydroelectric Production Managers
- Hydropower and Marine Energy Industry Workers
- Indoor Environmental Health Specialists
- Industrial Engineering Technicians
- Insulators/Insulation Workers
- Laboratory Testing Technicians
- Landmen
- Landscape Architects
- Lathers
- Line Installers and Cable Splicers
- Locksmiths
- Marble Setters, Tile Setters, and Terrazzo Workers
- Materials Engineers
- Metallurgical Engineers
- Metallurgical Technicians
- Meter Readers, Utilities
- Methane/Landfill Gas Collection System Operators
- Methane/Landfill Gas Generation System Technicians
- Millwrights
- Mining Engineers
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
- Nuclear Engineers
- Nuclear Reactor Operators and Technicians
- Occupational Safety and Health Workers
- Operating Engineers
- Painters and Paperhangers
- Petroleum Engineers
- Petroleum Technicians
- Plasterers
- Plumbers and Pipefitters
- Power Plant Workers
- Radiation Protection Technicians
- Real Estate Developers
- Renewable Energy Careers
- Renewable Energy Engineers
- Renewable Energy Site Assessors
- Roofers
- Roustabouts
- Sheet Metal Workers
- Smart Building Systems Designers
- Solar Energy Sales Representatives
- Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
- Stationary Engineers
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians
- Surveyors
- Swimming Pool Designers
- Telephone and PBX Installers and Repairers
- Traffic Engineers
- Truck Drivers
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Technicians
- Water/Wastewater Engineers
- Welders and Welding Technicians
- Wind Energy Engineers
- Wind Energy Operations Managers
- Wind Energy Project Managers