It's been a while since my last blog, so I thought I'd better do a quick post on how I'm getting along. Things have been a little slow recently due to a few obstacles, from problems with noisy neighbours making concentrating on study quite difficult, to taking some time out to look after my Dad who had been taken ill. Thankfully, my Dad is on the mend. Not so confident about the situation with the neighbours, but outside agencies are now involved and there seems to have been at least some progress towards them quieting down a bit, though the atmosphere is a tad icy!
Study-wise, I have completed module 07 and am now studying for module 08. This is an introduction to inspection and testing. I have also completed the third scenario on the virtual reality software, which involved identifying and fixing incorrect wiring of a lighting circuit. I hope to get some hands on at this when my practice boards are up and running. One of the guys from the forum has kindly sent me a Consumer unit for the boards, and I'm looking forward to getting the practice at getting my terminations to it nice and tidy. I look forward to getting as much hands on experience as I can on the boards.
Just before my Dad was taken ill, I had the opportunity to tag along with a local Electrician to observe the re-wire of a shower circuit as the existing cable was the incorrect size and the insulation was showing signs of breaking down. Also an isolator switch was added to the bathroom extractor fan, and a cracked faceplate on a double socket was replaced. This was really great experience for me and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity. Unfortunately, I missed the opportunity to go along on a PIR as this was the day after my Dad took ill. That would have been a great chance to learn a lot and would have fallen in nicely with the module I am currently studying! I hope the chance comes along again soon.
I have recently drafted a rough copy of my CV and another friend from the forum has Kindly gone through it and set it out in a much more presentable way for me. A copy of this has now been forwarded to a few people in the industry, who have kindly agreed to take a look at it and give me an honest evaluation of it. I am looking to see if, with the CV in front of them, would they invite that candidate for an interview. The feedback from this will then be of great benefit to me when the time comes to approach potential employers.
All in all, though there has been a few minor problems that have hindered my study a little, I'm still feeling quite confident that I'm on track. The support from my T4TS tutor and friends I am making on the forum and networking sites is invaluable, along with the opportunity given to me by the local Sparky to tag along. I'm really enjoying learning, and it's also given me more confidence to meet new people.
It's great to have something to aim for and to feel so positive about the future. It's even more rewarding in that I'm also making so many new friends along the way. It's really nice to wake up in a morning and to feel like I'm doing something constructive with my time. Since starting the course my outlook has just become so much more positive and focused and I find that I'm feeling a lot happier. The social aspect of talking to others in the industry and other students has resulted in me making new friends, both in and out of the Electrical industry. So as a bonus, it's increased my confidence interacting with people. Not something I would have associated as a result of studying from home!
For anyone out there reading this who is debating with themselves whether or not they should take the plunge into studying for a new career, my advice is this: Don't give yourself the chance to talk yourself out of it. If you get the opportunity to do it, go for it! Take the plunge. I was absolutely petrified of doing anything like this. I've talked myself out of things in the past. This time I knew I had to just dive in eyes wide shut and not allow myself to ponder the list of what ifs and buts. As a result, the past 5 months has been the most positive I have felt in the past 17 years. I am doing something that for all those years I didn't believe I could, and the boost to my self esteem and confidence has been immeasurable. In years to come when I look back, maybe the most important choice I ever made with regards to having enjoyed my career, will have been the decision to set out on this course. If there's something you'd love to get into, take the leap of faith and enjoy!