What it’s like to be an electrician: Breaking down common misconceptions

By Shannon Tymosko, Electrical Apprentice, IBEW Local 105

I often get asked, “Why did you pick electrical?”, and my answer really highlights the importance of early education, exposure, and better guidance in high school.

It wasn’t until I was 29 that I realized I was capable of, and actually enjoyed, the satisfaction of building something with my hands while working on renovations at my best friend Matt’s home. At that point in my life, all I knew was that I wanted to make a change. I wanted to thrive, not just survive, and I needed something on my resume to help make that happen.

Through my previous work experience, I developed strong resourcefulness and problem-solving skills. That led me to research a free, government-funded pre-apprenticeship program through the YWCA Hamilton. That’s when I officially started my journey into the skilled trades.

The world brought electrical to me, and I said yes. I believe everything happens for a reason, and I’ve come to love not just my trade, but the little bit of magic that comes with electricity. But it does make me wonder why I didn’t consider it as a first career option. What did I miss in high school that made me overlook apprenticeship, and how can we help young people see it as a first option?

Was it exposure?

Looking back, I actually had more exposure than most. I was the only girl in high school who took both trades and home economics. In the early 2000s, I chose Grade 9 and 10 tech classes as electives, but they weren’t required. I was inspired by my mom, who was a crafty and handy woman, building things like a doghouse and a bookshelf.

Today in Ontario, tech is now a requirement throughout high school, which shows the progress we’re making in education and early exposure. So maybe exposure wasn’t the issue. So, what else was missing?

What about awareness?

Post-secondary opportunities come in many forms, and most youth today are very familiar with university and college pathways. These paths are relatable because they mirror the classroom learning we experience in grade school, and they’re often presented as the natural next step.

But apprenticeship wasn’t even on my radar, not because it didn’t exist, but because I didn’t know it existed. One of the biggest gaps in the early 2000s education system was the lack of awareness and understanding of this third post-secondary option: apprenticeship.

In Ontario, trade school and college are often delivered through the same institution. I attended Mohawk College in Hamilton for my in-school training as an electrician. It included everything you’d expect from post-secondary life, meeting people, spending time on campus, and attending events. The difference? Less time, less cost, and a direct path into a career.

(See my February article for more details on trade school and day-to-day life.)

This brings me back to the importance of education, because if I had known, I may have considered it sooner.

The gift of education

Exposure alone isn’t enough. Awareness fills the gap. And education gives young people the tools to make informed decisions.

The skilled trades can feel intimidating to even consider, and the misconceptions we develop throughout our lives can hold us back. For me, many of those misconceptions were about physical capability.

I’ve never considered myself an athlete, and growing up, that may have steered me away from physically demanding jobs. But what I am is a hard worker, and I’ve learned that matters far more. If I struggle physically, there’s almost always a smarter, not harder, way to get the job done. I am capable, and too many people like me overlook the trades because they underestimate themselves.

I also assumed a desk job would be easier on the body. I was wrong. I’ve never experienced back pain like I did sitting at a desk for 40 hours a week. Moving and using your body becomes more valuable as you get older. In construction, it’s important to work safely, take care of your body, and know your limits. Pulling wire, lifting materials, and staying active have become part of my routine, and honestly, it keeps me strong.

Safety comes first

I’ve mentioned safety, and it’s worth highlighting just how important it is. Yes, construction comes with hazards that aren’t present in every workplace, but it’s also important to recognize how much has changed.

Today, there is personal protective equipment, weekly toolbox talks, ongoing training and certifications, and clear policies and procedures backed by strict laws and regulations. For example, in Canada it is required to wear CSA approved work boots on construction sites. These work boots provide resistance against electric shock being one of the first layers of safety.

This leads me to the important layers of insulations found on most electrician tools. I remember when I was early in my apprenticeship and cut into a set of live wires. I learned that day the importance of testing everything before cutting, but also the value of insulated tools, as my side cutters’ double layered insulation protected me from electric shock.

In 2026, most accidents are avoidable when you follow the rules, meet expectations, and look out for both your own safety and the safety of others.

You don’t have to work in construction for an employer to ask you to do something unsafe. When I was younger, I worked for a financial institution that requested their managers replace Brinks, an armed delivery service company, and do their own store cash pickups directly from the bank. I remember times I would walk out with over $30,000 stuffed in my purse. In reflection, this request was extremely unsafe, and none of us managers refused it. However, in construction, you are taught and constantly reminded that you have the legal right to refuse unsafe work.

Love what you do

All of these misconceptions, fears, and doubts didn’t hold me back, and now I can confidently say I love my job.

I often use LEGO to explain the day-to-day satisfaction I get from my work. Remember being a kid, following the instructions, and finally finishing your LEGO build? The pride, the excitement, the sense of accomplishment? That’s what my job feels like every single day. I show up, get a blueprint and a bunch of “pieces,” and it’s my job to put them together correctly. And when it’s done, I feel that same reward my younger self felt all those years ago.

Apprenticeship as a first choice

The reality is, like me, the average age of someone entering the trades is close to 30. That means too many young people are overlooking it as a first career option due to a lack of exposure, awareness, and education, only to discover later that it’s exactly what they were looking for.

The world brought electrical to me, and I said yes, and somewhere along the way, it became something more meaningful. And that’s why I write these articles: to encourage young people to consider apprenticeship as a first option. Apprenticeship not only provides a paid education and an amazing lifelong career, but it also builds character, confidence, work ethic, and real-world skills.

Choose apprenticeship first!

About the author

Shannon Tymosko is an electrical apprentice with IBEW Local 105 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and the voice behind Lady Voltz, a growing platform dedicated to skilled trades advocacy, mentorship, and education. After completing a child and youth worker diploma, Shannon began her career in the skilled trades as a machinist apprentice. She then transitioned into electrical work and has since become a passionate ambassador for the trades, speaking to over 2,000 students and professionals across Canada and the U.S. Shannon’s mission is to empower early-career electricians and apprentices with real-world insight, confidence, and encouragement as they navigate their path in the industry. Connect with Shannon on LinkedIn.