I work(ed) in the film industry as an electrician/Set Lighting Technician since 2016. I got good at the job and it got me more work and more money. I’m single but I was making over 100k a year. Now most things are being shot over seas because it’s cheaper. There are so many people in my position that has already lost their homes and cars some even families. Depression is at an all time high and they keep saying 3 more months. It’s been over a year and things are worse. Now that I’m done ranting and feeling sorry for myself what other careers can I get into that’s not ibew but also pays well. I live in the greater metro of Atlanta. I’ve thought about starting a business but I don’t have the time to be creative when all I think about now is survival. Moving isn’t and option because things are much more expensive after the pandemic. Just looking for a little career advice before I lose it all.
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Electrician seems like a pretty universal need, as it’s a trade skill. You’re having trouble finding electrician work?
Doubt I’m going to tell you anything new, and it’s often not the most stable or well-paying either, but the most obvious transition where your existing skills/experience have at least a little value is into the live production side of the industry – theater, concerts, events, etc.
For slight stability/if you want to avoid touring work, none of these positions are easy to get into but:
If you don’t hate having to deal with kids to some degree – sometimes large high schools with nice facilities (especially if they also rent them out) will have an on-staff theater tech/manager that basically runs the space. Universities also have similar employees.
Performance venues, convention centers, etc once you get above the smallest do often have small numbers of in-house staff.
AV staff in large organizations + universities.
Sometimes these positions are stable enough in terms of hours/schedule that you can also work other gigs outside those hours, too, and some of them are more likely than others to put you in contact with the right people to start getting calls for that work.
I’m sure you are also aware that when it comes union work, it’s usually IATSE rather than IBEW.