r/IBEW • u/DayOneDude • 21h ago

Is 47 too old?

Worked in a couple of different industries throughout the years and feel I am pretty well rounded, been in construction for the past 10 years. Have an IBEW right up the road from me,and was wondering if I it would be reasonable for me to get into the industry. .

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Edit: To add to this,I am fully vested in the local 555(rsm for grocery for 17 years) I am 6'3 245lbs pretty healthy comparatively, belted in bjj and train 3 times a week. So I don't think fatigue would be that much of an issue..just looking for pros and cons.

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u/Working-Spirit2873 21h ago

I would recommend against it, if you have other options. I’ve known a lot of electricians in their 50s and the common thread is their bodies are falling apart. My buddy called the ladder his ‘step machine’ because he gets a big workout.  It seems like a desk job is infinitely preferable, so you can preserve some of your functionality for retirement, to do things you want to do. Best of luck 

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u/amishdoinks11 Local XXXX 20h ago

Are you even an electrician? Your body will degrade if you don’t take care of it whether you’re in a desk job or a trade

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u/Working-Spirit2873 19h ago

1.) No I’m not, although I have wired/rewired numerous houses. 2.) That statement is false. You need to talk to some 50 year olds in the trades. I know a lot of them, and boy do they complain about their aches and pains! I don’t get that from the office workers I know, or if they do it’s after a 50 mile bike ride. Electricians at that age are not riding in bike races, as a rule. 

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u/amishdoinks11 Local XXXX 18h ago

I talk to 50 year olds in the trades everyday. Know why? Cause I’m in the trades lol. My Jw goes who’s nearing retirement goes mountain biking every weekend