How did you get into your line of work?
Through luck, determination, hard work and perseverance. Never taking no for an answer is also quite useful.
What qualifications are required?
The qualifications vary depending on what you want to specialise in. For years I was a professional Stage Manager and was lucky enough not to require any qualifications to get into the working side of the sector as my jobs were gained mainly through word of mouth (from friends in the industry, new contacts that I met and hard work).
I am currently in the process of completing my EAL Level 2 qualification and working towards qualifying as an electrician, and have received some specialist qualifications such as BS 7909: Temporary Installation; Networking; Moving Light Repair and Maintenance; PAT; Working and Rescue at Height; PASMA; IPAF and various others.
What kind of person would this suit?
An energetic, friendly person who is capable of working weird, unsociable hours and who can keep a calm head and a smile on their face in a stressful situation.
Are there any challenges involved that people should be aware of – late nights etc?
Late nights and unsocial hours; working at height and small spaces; physically demanding.
What are the best parts of your job/most enjoyable aspects?
Site work – nice to get to visit places that most of the general public cannot.
Problem-solving – keeps the brain active and nice to be challenged.
New tools – always exciting and it never gets old opening up new tools. Although we love the old ones there’s something awesome about the new.
What advice would you give to those who are embarking upon their electrotechnical careers?
Stay humble, leave your ego at home – quite literally nobody is interested in how good you were in your high school show.
Be prepared to be wrong and take it with grace by learning from your mistakes.
Don’t shout, cry or whinge – stick your head down and get on with it.
Ask questions if you don’t know what’s going on.
Enjoy it. Smile. And know how to have a laugh at yourself and others.