Becoming A Better Professional

Functional furnaces, working lights, and reliable appliances are essential elements in modern society. Electricians play an important role in helping to ensure that these vital components have access to the electrical power needed to work properly.

Becoming an electrician can be a rewarding and exciting career path. Successful electricians have a very unique set of skills. Some of these skills can be acquired through a reputable electrical trade school while others are an inherent part of any good electrician's personality.

Ask yourself if you have the following skills before you make the choice to begin a career as an electrician.

1. Hand-Eye Coordination

Electricians often deal with circuits and wiring on a small scale. This means that any successful electrician must have the ability to utilize hand tools effectively to make repairs needed to restore the flow of electricity within a client's home. Operating hand tools in tight spaces requires great hand-eye coordination.

You can test your own hand-eye coordination by searching for websites that test your reaction speed and ability to differentiate between objects. Hand-eye coordination can be improved by playing fast-paced games of catch or by playing video games that require the use of a controller or joystick.

2. Manual Dexterity

Hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity are similar, but manual dexterity refers solely to the fine motor skills you have when using your hands. Electricians work on delicate equipment that requires a steady hand and the ability to maneuver tools in tight spaces.

Even the smallest slip could cause an electrician to permanently damage a client's equipment or, at the very worst, result in electrocution. You should possess relatively advanced fine motor skills prior to beginning your training as an electrician. If your manual dexterity is lacking, you can improve it by threading needles repeatedly or learning to tie small fishing knots.

3. Physical Fitness

While physical fitness isn't so much a skill as it is a characteristic, it still plays a critical role in the day-to-day activities of an electrician. Many successful electricians lift heavy objects regularly while making repairs, are forced to work with their arms raised for extended periods of time, or stand for many hours while restoring electrical service.

If you are not in good physical condition, you may find it difficult to perform some of the job-related tasks required of an electrician. Begin a physical fitness routine to strengthen your body and improve your endurance in preparation for your career as an electrician.