I went from being a network administrator of a small school district (7 schools, 1000 to 1500 computers, just me) to working as a union cable installer.
The good: I work for a small family company. I get to work in a somewhat informal environment with a group of likeable misfits and some people who are just darn good. I show up and work hard and smart (as possible), and I go home feeling like I earned my pay and 'helped out the team.' I take almost none of it home with me. I am off work by 3:30-4:00. We change jobsites sometimes once and sometimes 60 times a year, I find the variety stimulating. YMMV The pay is quite decent, even though we communications guys are lower paid than the union electricians. The work is physical, sometimes you just have to crawl under that frat-house with the cable tied to your belt loop, or something. The plus side of this is how much easier it is to stay reasonably fit. Climbing up and down a ladder all day as well as carrying ladders and materials around can be pretty good exercise. Medical HMO-Style, Dental, Vision.
The bad: Getting to work at 6 to 7 in the morning can be tough until you adjust to it. Sometimes you have to do something downright disgusting or even a little dangerous, but at least these things usually make for good stories. If there isn't enough work to go around, you can be laid off by your employer and in tough times, it can be a while before you get sent to another job. Leading me to the unions. Again, YMMV. I'm told ours is one of the better trade unions to be in, but we have: No paid leave of any kind. You don't work, you don't get paid, and if you're out of work for long enough, your benefits are no longer paid for. I also just get the general impression that Union administrations tend toward barrel-assed, protect-my-cushy-desk-job, pettily corrupt kinds of entities. Not saying they all are, but there's a smell of it about. A great deal depends on which Union, and likely, which Local. Also, most people have to go through an apprenticeship that can last from 3 years (Communication installer) to 5 years (Inside Wireman (Electrician)). During your apprenticeship you will make more like $14 to $20 an hour (depending on the trade, some probably even make more!), instead of the Journeyman rate of around $28 to $45-50 and up.
My verdict: I like my job now. It is a tonic after coming from a fairly hectic and stressful job. But I am in my thirties now. I have very little desire to still be working this hard with my body when I am in my fifties. In the end I think it's better to be paid for your smarts, so you can save your body for the fun stuff.
myzerotwo
