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Dog158

80% of problems are electrical. Learn everything you can on the theory and application of electrical. It is the hardest part to learn, but will pay dividends later

Wow....... 2 other fellow CT residents here. cool! Wish I could find a nice FEMALE in connecticut my age that is interested in dating LOL

Freezking,
When did you graduate Barons's/ TCI?

I'm north of Hartford but don't mind traveling.
I'm taking the class full time during the day so it only leaves friday and saturday for work expierence so we'll see how it goes. Plus I'm still gonna work my full time job til class is over or a new job comes along.

Went to ICPA when it was in Wallingford. Two plus years of nights 2x a week, and some days to speed things up. During the day I "apprenticed" with an oil co., which really meant doing service solo and installations (with an apprentice's "helper")

Keep one eye on your books and the other on practical experience. There are many, many bad habits out there that should be ignored.

But like I said before, the greatest tech in the world is worth sh** if he is a dick. Attitude is everything. Willingness to learn and to do anything is key.

Hey Freeze-I do some sub work for Total Comfort from time to time. Used to do some boilers for Hoffman, years ago, but no more..

Danbury Ct here dog!

dawg158

Where in CT are you from? I live in CT too, hence my nick. I work for an outfit out of Uncasville, and we cover all of new london county.

Let me know where you are, if you are close enough I will put you in touch with my boss, as he has hired people in the past that are going to school or have just graduated.

It ain't too late to head to that bus stop....

There are worse professions.......lets see.........
Plumbing, roofing, telemarketer, proctologist, used car salesman, waiter, cashier, tool booth money taker, and hvac forum moderator..........

Good luck on your new career. I went to TCI now called Barrons Institute and have never looked back. Alot of good times and hard work!

Noel
Thanks for the information...
Jim

Good answer

I started (after USCG) at the bottom and did piping and service in 1980. I moved around a bit and stayed with it, found a favorite part of the biz (low pressure steam heating) and have been very satisfied at every step of the way.

Lot's of hours, but it makes me happy.

I'm doing service work, mostly over the phone, for a boiler, baseboard, radiant, and (formerly) PTAC unit, manufacturer.

There doesn't seem to be a top limit in this business. Even without knowing where I want to be when I finish, it's still fun.

I have a friend in a different state that I met as a contractor on-line, that I respect very much, that owns his self started company, that thought he was 3 years from retiring. Just 3 or 4 guys working for him, including the heir apparent, his son. He bought a place in Enosburg, and is planning his retirement.

I recommended him to IBR to be an instructor. He accepted.

Next month, he is going to Beijing to speak about hydronic heating (real time interpreter) representing a different baseboard company and a group of manufacturers, and bringing his wife, and having money left over afterwards from the gig. He's pretty psyched(sp?) about it.

There are plenty of surprises in this industry. Aim high.

It's wide open, too. There's room to grow.

Noel

If you are going to school in New England then repeat after me.-------"GO PATRIOTS!!!" and you'll get along fine!

The school is just to get the basics... I'd much rather work in the field and learn from others and make mistakes and learn from there.

When you graduate, don't leave school thinking you're God's gift to the HVAC trade. Most of us here have already forgotten more than you know. You'll still know nothing after spending all that money. Figure out what you think you're worth after graduating and divide by 2. That's closer to reality

Graduating gives you a license to learn. Nothing else. Ask lots of questions from co-workers and the guys from other companies buying parts at the supply house.

Noel
I chose the field because I like problem solving and working with my hands under pressure. I'm currently a Paramedic, but theres not much advancement or even a retirement. I also have a background as a Fire Marshal.
Hydronicsman
I'm planning on attending New England Tech. Have you had experiences with the school?

Don't expect to get it all sitting in a classroom.
Books are portable for a reason.
If you really want to understand, be sure you do homework, even if it is not assigned.
Read ahead a little.
Take notes.
Raise your hand & ask questions.
Answer questions, when asked.
If you don't know, say "I don't know."
Bring your tools to class.(duh!)
If you had to take any kind of an entrance exam, and didn't do well in some area, be certain you get up to speed on those skills.(math, reading, writing, etc..)
Electricity IS math.
Going into a technical area is NOT a way to avoid the need to know basics.

Just my $.02 worth.

having a good attitude will get you far. What school?

Dont take any wooden nickles

Walk out in front of a bus and get it over with. Try to live so you can collect large sums of cash from the port authority.
Next question.