As an electrician, you would install, test, and repair electrical wiring, fixtures, control devices and related devices such as street and traffic lights. As a specialist in electric power, you could help design a generating, transmission or distribution system, or supervise its operation and maintenance. Electrical power engineers work mainly in utilities and in the communications and transportation industries.

WHAT YOU NEED:

More than half of electricians have university degrees in this or related fields, only a small percentage have diplomas from community colleges or technology institutes. The four-year university course can sometimes be completed through a CO-OP program. After completeing a degree, you would work for two years before registering with an engineering association, an important step since many jobs require professional engineering status. As your experience grows, you might move from "hands-on" engineering to management.

SALARY:
$50,000 to $58,000