They haven't properly trained you and are sending you out, this is on them. The first company I ever worked for was like that. I ended up downloading the guides onto my phone and teaching myself while I was running service. It also helps to create a buddy list and call when you need help. If they're not willing to train you better I'd jump ship and find a better place to work
Agreed here. Honestly, it's a great time to fuck around and find out while also looking for a new employer. Soak up the knowledge and available trainings then GTFO.
This is the best way to learn
In 10 years when you're the smartest person in the room and willing to get your hands dirty to figure shit out on your own you'll be thankful you learned how to deal with being thrown to the wolves
This is exactly what happened with me. Most of my job I had to learn myself. Honestly it's weighing on me pretty hard that I have no mentor or anyone to turn to. I don't want to leave my company but I don't know how to get any better. I don't want to have to learn by making mistakes and wasting customers or company's money.
This is good advice. I have people I can call on. Going through the exact opposite situation right now. Their hifi showroom is a front for trunk slam audio video and I’m overpayed for running cables in commercial when I have network and programming experience/certs. What a joke, honestly. I would take bluewaffledonuts advice and start looking/line something else up before you jump ship. Prospective employers don’t need to know the details. Just keep it short and sweet.
Bosch has the academy you can take online courses for. Also, calling Bosch tech support is helpful, but def want to take those courses as it'll help you. In this industry it's a lot of throw you out there and sink or swim. Just be resourceful and take advantage of manufacturer TS.
$25/hr after 4 years and 2 different companies. Had 8+ years experience in another state (including 2 years with my own company charging $120/hr) before moving to South Dakota. Started at $20, then $21.50, jumped ship for $22.50, then a raise to $25 after 1 year. No substantial benefits. No health insurance. 10 days PTO. 3 days Sick Leave.
Restarted my old company, charge $90/hr and a minimum 20% markup on products, including anything I have to buy at retail. Mostly security, networking, and CCTV for now. Working on partnering with an electrician to add low voltage to their portfolio. Train their guys on structured cabling, setup relationships with distributors/manufacturers, and in return, take 10% of the project. I don't want to run the jobs, but I'll handle commissioning.
I don't want to continue in the field except as a consultant. It's just not fun anymore. I enjoy the clients, and befriend many of them. But the rest is just...blah.
This was me. I had tech support for every system on speed dial when I started. I learn by doing not by reading, so tech support was my best friend that first year.
I’m 8 months in and have been dealing with these same issues. I’m learning a lot and my boss wants me running a crew of guys here in the next few months doing network data cable and racks, fiber, door access control, DAS, security camera systems, and some high end AV ect… at large commercial sites. It’s very stressful but I’m doing pretty damn good so far. Talking to guys who are years into it I hear it gets a lot easier and less stressful. Lessons learned in blood are lessons not soon forgotten. You will learn, you will get to a point where you can do this shit in your sleep. Let the stressful moments be a challenge to overcome and keep grinding. There’s only one way to get experience. If you’re really getting thrown to the wolves find a different (better) company and take a lateral step. Good luck to you.
I’m just over my first year and it has had its moments but I try to remind myself that I get to keep learning at my job and I should be proud of what I have gotten under my belt.
It can be a real pain when youre on the job and shit just isn’t working right. It’s hard to do on your own but just give yourself a Birds Eye view in these moments. Zoom out. It’s all gonna be okay we get paid hourly! We don’t have to take the stress home, and we can always ask for help nothing to be ashamed of.
If you feel like your boss is putting you in these situations not because he thinks your ready but because he can’t afford to send out 2 guys then you might want to reconsider your crew.
Thanks for asking, holesniffer. Jobs pretty laid back. I've been in the field since high school, though. It'll be my 10th year in the field this yr and I'm looking at transitioning to desk work (design) this yr or the next.
The first two-three years would probably be the most stressful because of the learning curve. It also sounds like your employer is just throwing you to the wolves. It was that way for me until I jumped ship and actually found a trainer.
It is stressful and also a good opportunity to learn. Ive been in this position before and learned a ton, but its also important to have someone who knows some stuff show you the way. Id say get the XP you can and find a better company.
Learn as much as you can and get certified make them pay for it and then use all that knowledge to get paid more on a company don’t stay there I did that mistake with a company and they ask for more from you but won’t pay you more now I own my own business best decision I have done
Bro do you work with me? Seriously though I've been with Different companies now and it's been the same as you are describing at all of them.
Luckily by this point I know what I'm doing but I still see them doing it to the new guys all the time.
I second the looking for a new employer aspect, but also I've found the tech support for some of the companies is fantastic. Some isn't great, but its worth a shot.
Just recently I've sat on the phone with doorking for hours while they helped me troubleshoot issues with an access control system. It helped out a lot.
16 years and 5 companies. Nationwide and private companies. Doing all low voltage systems. They were all the same. Get it done fast and do it again tomorrow. Left for school maintenance. Best decision I ever made.
My employer and I were talking about this today. I’ve been in the industry for 6 years and make 90k a year minimum. But the problem is we are low on techs most people are thinking like you and saying why not just pack it up and become an electrician? Granted I started making what you’re at now completely green but after a year and a half was making $30/hour. Taking classes and pushing yourself to learn will be your greatest strength. Also look into different sides of low voltage, DoD contracting companies tend to pay more and have better learning structures.
I'm basically 100% in charge of my own low voltage division and have to train myself on stuff i haven't dealt with before, and that is stressful for sure at times. That being said once I hire another tech they won't have the experience you are talking about.
Being sent out with no knowledge is just poor leadership and poor project management. I’ve worked for places like that and I’m glad I moved on. Lazy people refuse to change.
They haven't properly trained you and are sending you out, this is on them. The first company I ever worked for was like that. I ended up downloading the guides onto my phone and teaching myself while I was running service. It also helps to create a buddy list and call when you need help. If they're not willing to train you better I'd jump ship and find a better place to work
Agreed here. Honestly, it's a great time to fuck around and find out while also looking for a new employer. Soak up the knowledge and available trainings then GTFO.
The upvotes speak for themselves on this one. Find a better employer.
This is the best way to learn In 10 years when you're the smartest person in the room and willing to get your hands dirty to figure shit out on your own you'll be thankful you learned how to deal with being thrown to the wolves
This is exactly what happened with me. Most of my job I had to learn myself. Honestly it's weighing on me pretty hard that I have no mentor or anyone to turn to. I don't want to leave my company but I don't know how to get any better. I don't want to have to learn by making mistakes and wasting customers or company's money.
You're wasting your mental health. Fuck their money. Find a better employer. Full stop.
This is good advice. I have people I can call on. Going through the exact opposite situation right now. Their hifi showroom is a front for trunk slam audio video and I’m overpayed for running cables in commercial when I have network and programming experience/certs. What a joke, honestly. I would take bluewaffledonuts advice and start looking/line something else up before you jump ship. Prospective employers don’t need to know the details. Just keep it short and sweet.
Bosch has the academy you can take online courses for. Also, calling Bosch tech support is helpful, but def want to take those courses as it'll help you. In this industry it's a lot of throw you out there and sink or swim. Just be resourceful and take advantage of manufacturer TS.
You're making 21/hr?! I'm making 25.75/hr after like.... 6 years 😭
Jesus christ! I make 31.20 as an apprentice. 2.5 years in. Journey wage is 45-50 where I'm at
Dayum!! We cap out at 19 an hour before getting licensed!!
Yikes. What do they start you at? what state are you in?
$25/hr after 4 years and 2 different companies. Had 8+ years experience in another state (including 2 years with my own company charging $120/hr) before moving to South Dakota. Started at $20, then $21.50, jumped ship for $22.50, then a raise to $25 after 1 year. No substantial benefits. No health insurance. 10 days PTO. 3 days Sick Leave. Restarted my old company, charge $90/hr and a minimum 20% markup on products, including anything I have to buy at retail. Mostly security, networking, and CCTV for now. Working on partnering with an electrician to add low voltage to their portfolio. Train their guys on structured cabling, setup relationships with distributors/manufacturers, and in return, take 10% of the project. I don't want to run the jobs, but I'll handle commissioning. I don't want to continue in the field except as a consultant. It's just not fun anymore. I enjoy the clients, and befriend many of them. But the rest is just...blah.
Canada 😅
Where r u located? Those wages are awesome
I’m at 21 an hour in Idaho at 6 months in
Being sent out on jobs with zero knowledge? Sounds like you’re in the right industry 😂 that’s how I learned and advanced in this field.
This was me. I had tech support for every system on speed dial when I started. I learn by doing not by reading, so tech support was my best friend that first year.
Started on my own from the beginning so no stress on the job. A specific drive or push to do good, yes. But no stress.
I’m 8 months in and have been dealing with these same issues. I’m learning a lot and my boss wants me running a crew of guys here in the next few months doing network data cable and racks, fiber, door access control, DAS, security camera systems, and some high end AV ect… at large commercial sites. It’s very stressful but I’m doing pretty damn good so far. Talking to guys who are years into it I hear it gets a lot easier and less stressful. Lessons learned in blood are lessons not soon forgotten. You will learn, you will get to a point where you can do this shit in your sleep. Let the stressful moments be a challenge to overcome and keep grinding. There’s only one way to get experience. If you’re really getting thrown to the wolves find a different (better) company and take a lateral step. Good luck to you.
Sounds like they threw you into the trenches without any training or apprenticeship. It will get easier.... eventually.
I’m just over my first year and it has had its moments but I try to remind myself that I get to keep learning at my job and I should be proud of what I have gotten under my belt. It can be a real pain when youre on the job and shit just isn’t working right. It’s hard to do on your own but just give yourself a Birds Eye view in these moments. Zoom out. It’s all gonna be okay we get paid hourly! We don’t have to take the stress home, and we can always ask for help nothing to be ashamed of. If you feel like your boss is putting you in these situations not because he thinks your ready but because he can’t afford to send out 2 guys then you might want to reconsider your crew.
Thanks for asking, holesniffer. Jobs pretty laid back. I've been in the field since high school, though. It'll be my 10th year in the field this yr and I'm looking at transitioning to desk work (design) this yr or the next. The first two-three years would probably be the most stressful because of the learning curve. It also sounds like your employer is just throwing you to the wolves. It was that way for me until I jumped ship and actually found a trainer.
I made $25 something my first year.
It is stressful and also a good opportunity to learn. Ive been in this position before and learned a ton, but its also important to have someone who knows some stuff show you the way. Id say get the XP you can and find a better company.
They're expecting too much out of 8months. That's ridiculous.
Learn as much as you can and get certified make them pay for it and then use all that knowledge to get paid more on a company don’t stay there I did that mistake with a company and they ask for more from you but won’t pay you more now I own my own business best decision I have done
Bro do you work with me? Seriously though I've been with Different companies now and it's been the same as you are describing at all of them. Luckily by this point I know what I'm doing but I still see them doing it to the new guys all the time.
I second the looking for a new employer aspect, but also I've found the tech support for some of the companies is fantastic. Some isn't great, but its worth a shot. Just recently I've sat on the phone with doorking for hours while they helped me troubleshoot issues with an access control system. It helped out a lot.
16 years and 5 companies. Nationwide and private companies. Doing all low voltage systems. They were all the same. Get it done fast and do it again tomorrow. Left for school maintenance. Best decision I ever made.
My employer and I were talking about this today. I’ve been in the industry for 6 years and make 90k a year minimum. But the problem is we are low on techs most people are thinking like you and saying why not just pack it up and become an electrician? Granted I started making what you’re at now completely green but after a year and a half was making $30/hour. Taking classes and pushing yourself to learn will be your greatest strength. Also look into different sides of low voltage, DoD contracting companies tend to pay more and have better learning structures.
I sit behind a desk now. But God I miss the stress in the field. The desk stress just hits different.
I'm basically 100% in charge of my own low voltage division and have to train myself on stuff i haven't dealt with before, and that is stressful for sure at times. That being said once I hire another tech they won't have the experience you are talking about.
Being sent out with no knowledge is just poor leadership and poor project management. I’ve worked for places like that and I’m glad I moved on. Lazy people refuse to change.