Oh the joys of night work. When my formen asked me two months ago if I'd be interested in going on the night shift bus duct crew for a little a while found myself thinking wow, this shift could really work out for me. Working four tens getting friday day and sunday night off along with making 15% shift differential, this sounds great!. Along with knowing the work was good hanging bus duct which is farily enjoyable, just a ton of heavy lifting thats for sure. All in all thought it be pretty cool to give it a try and switch the ole routine up for a while.
But after arrivng home last week after being up for 28 hours for the third time found myself thinking what have I gotten myself into. Having school on tuesday days means I get off work monday nights. Then go to school for eight hours tuesday day followed by working 10 hours tuesday night. That paired with me living an hour and a half a way means no sleep for Mike. Makes for a pretty interesting drive home to say the least, lots of coffee. The good news is only have to make that adventure once every two weeks so really not that bad. With only about 2 weeks left now thinking back im glad I chose to join the crew. Work with some really good guys which makes the nights go fast and a lot more enjoyable. Also get to learn a good bit looking over prints and laying out racks among other things which I much enjoy doing. Some days are definitely rough and getting anything done during the week at home is almost impossible but all part of it. All in all its been a good experience so far glad I chose take part.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Friday, April 15, 2011
Greetings
Hello to everyone pleasure to be writting to you all today. My name is Mike Gerrick your new blogger for the Local 26 class of 2015 Apprentices. My first shot at this so please bare with me and hopefully over the next couple of months, and years for that matter, I can give a little insite into the life of an apprentice and member of IBEW Local 26.
Guess for starters a little bit about myself; im 20 years old born, raised, and live in Hanover PA..(and yes for those of you who put two and two together there and are calling me crazy right now I do commute to Washington everyday but get into that a little later). I've been working for Local 26 since June of last year and am just now entering into book 2 of year one. I currently work for T.A. Beach Corporation and am working in Bethesda, MD at the National Institutes of Health. Now for the driving, you like many of my fellow classmates may think im nuts, but in all actuality a lot more guys do it then you may think. Drive about an hour and a half both ways rigth now, but also split driving with a journeyman which does make things a lot easier. All in all though do what you have to do and so far dont mind it at all.
But you may be wondering how I came about this career. All throughout high school you always hear college college college is the way to go. This is all fine and dandy but I, like many, had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do for a career. Then talking to my uncle who is member of local 26 I became aware of the Apprenticeship program. After researching, reading these very blogs, I found myself saying "wow" this seems like a really good deal. Five year program in which you get paid to go to school, only have to go once every other two weeks while working every other day..how can you beat that. Next thing you know here I am and I honeslty wouldnt have it any other way love every part of the career so far. I came in as my journeyman put it as green as green could be. I never could of imagined I would of learned as much as I know today and I know there is only more to learn which I look forward to doing.
This is definitely a great opportunity that I am glad to have and willing to keep working for. But good luck to anyone that is interested in joining hope I was somewhat of a help.
Guess for starters a little bit about myself; im 20 years old born, raised, and live in Hanover PA..(and yes for those of you who put two and two together there and are calling me crazy right now I do commute to Washington everyday but get into that a little later). I've been working for Local 26 since June of last year and am just now entering into book 2 of year one. I currently work for T.A. Beach Corporation and am working in Bethesda, MD at the National Institutes of Health. Now for the driving, you like many of my fellow classmates may think im nuts, but in all actuality a lot more guys do it then you may think. Drive about an hour and a half both ways rigth now, but also split driving with a journeyman which does make things a lot easier. All in all though do what you have to do and so far dont mind it at all.
But you may be wondering how I came about this career. All throughout high school you always hear college college college is the way to go. This is all fine and dandy but I, like many, had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do for a career. Then talking to my uncle who is member of local 26 I became aware of the Apprenticeship program. After researching, reading these very blogs, I found myself saying "wow" this seems like a really good deal. Five year program in which you get paid to go to school, only have to go once every other two weeks while working every other day..how can you beat that. Next thing you know here I am and I honeslty wouldnt have it any other way love every part of the career so far. I came in as my journeyman put it as green as green could be. I never could of imagined I would of learned as much as I know today and I know there is only more to learn which I look forward to doing.
This is definitely a great opportunity that I am glad to have and willing to keep working for. But good luck to anyone that is interested in joining hope I was somewhat of a help.
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