Lessons from an Apprenticeship: Ask the Questions!

True Story...

In the early days of my apprenticeship, my curiosity about electricity was insatiable. I was the kind of apprentice who thrived on learning, eager to understand every aspect of the trade. Evening classes were a highlight of my week, and my background in electronics only fueled my fascination with the connections between low voltage distribution and the intricate world of electronics. However, the reality of apprenticeship in the 1970s was far from glamorous.

Apprentices were often relegated to the most physically demanding and less intellectually stimulating tasks. We crawled through stifling hot attics, dug trenches in the mud after a heavy rain, and retrieved elusive skyhooks from job trailers. Despite these challenges, what made it even more difficult was a foreman whose sole focus was profit. He made it clear that his job was to make money for the boss and boost his own profit sharing. Answering what he deemed "dumb questions" was, in his view, a waste of time.

One day, I was assigned to assist this very foreman, Pete, on a large project: installing 4-inch rigid metal conduit from a basement data center to the upper floors of a new savings and loan building. My role was straightforward—assist and learn. But as someone who believed that learning required asking questions, I soon found myself in trouble.

In the span of three hours, I had asked no fewer than seven questions. Pete's response? He sent me back to the shop, frustrated and unwilling to answer what he thought should be obvious. I was sure this was the end of my apprenticeship. I braced myself for the worst as I walked into the owner’s office, expecting to be fired.

The owner invited me to sit down. My heart raced as I thought about what might come next. Instead of the termination I feared, I received an unexpected piece of advice that would shape my career for the next forty-six years.

"Pete has made me many thousands of dollars over the years," the owner said. "He's highly intelligent but not a good communicator. He expects people to learn by doing, not by asking questions."

I couldn’t help but ask, "How am I supposed to learn if I can't ask questions?"

The owner looked me square in the eye, paused for a moment, and then, with a firm tone, said something I would carry with me for the rest of my career: "Ask the questions."

He reassured me that I would be placed on another job the next day—one where I could ask as many questions as I needed. That simple yet profound advice stayed with me throughout my career as an electrician and later as a business owner.

In the 39 years that I ran a successful electrical contracting business, I never forgot the importance of asking questions. The willingness to seek answers, to learn, and to never settle for the unknown is what kept my passion for the trade alive. It's a lesson I’ve passed on to countless apprentices over the years.

To those just starting out in this field, I offer this advice: Never stop asking questions. Curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge are what set great electricians apart. Whether you’re an apprentice or a seasoned professional, there is always something new to learn. So, keep asking the questions—because that’s how we all grow.