5 Things I Learned as a Commercial Electrical Apprentice

When I first stepped onto a commercial job site as an apprentice, I thought I knew what I was getting into. I had a few brand new tools, a fresh pair of boots, and an eager appetite to learn everything I could about the industry. But that first month? It taught me more than I could have ever expected.

Looking back, it was one of the most eye-opening, humbling, and motivating times in my electrical journey. Here are five things I learned during my first month working as a commercial apprentice — lessons that still shape how I work today.

1. Nobody Cares What You Know — They Care What You Can Do

On day one, I realized that my schooling and test scores didn’t mean much on a live job site. What mattered was: could I listen, could I hustle, and could I work safely?

No one expected me to know everything, but they did expect me to pay attention. They didn’t expect me to be a have the experience of a 10 year Journeyman, but they did have expectation that I would ask questions about whatever I didn’t know. The best electricians I worked under weren’t impressed by what I “knew” — they respected what I was willing to learn and how quickly I could apply it.

2. Commercial Is a Whole Different Game

If you’re coming from residential, you’ll get humbled real fast. Commercial work isn’t just bigger — it’s more structured. Everything’s by the book, laid out in blueprints, and timed to the minute.

I learned how to read prints, install EMT, pull wire over long distances, and bend conduit — all while making sure it was in compliance with the NEC. My first time trying to run pipe 30 feet in the air while an HVAC crew worked next to me? Let’s just say it wasn’t graceful. But I learned fast, and that’s the point.

3. Your Work Area Is a Reflection of You

One of the first things my journeyman told me was, “Keep your work area clean — it tells people what kind of electrician you are.” That stuck. Be proud of the product you are putting on display for others to see (even if it is 60 feet in the air and somebody might never see it).

Whether it was my tool pouch, the way I staged materials, or even how I handled trash — I realized every little thing was a chance to build a reputation. When you’re new, how you carry yourself matters even more than how much you know.

4. The Best Apprentices Ask Questions — But Listen First

There’s a fine line between being curious and being annoying. My first month taught me when to ask questions, when to watch silently, and when to take initiative.

I learned the value of listening first, then stepping in with thoughtful questions. It showed my crew I respected their time and that I was paying attention — not just asking for answers I could Google.

5. It’s Not Just a Trade — It’s a Career (If You Want It to Be)

One of the biggest mindset shifts that hit me that first month was this: I’m not just showing up for a paycheck — I’m building something.

I was learning a craft. I was gaining independence. I was getting paid to learn — and if I took it seriously, I could become a licensed journeyman, move into project management, or even start my own business one day.

That realization is what lit the fire in me. It’s what eventually led to me starting Rolle Enterprise Electric.

Final Thoughts

Your first month as a commercial apprentice is going to be tough. You’ll mess up. You’ll get corrected. You’ll end some days sore and second-guessing yourself. You will definitely be pissed off at your Journeyman some days. But if you show up, stay humble, and keep learning — you’ll come out stronger.

I did. And those early lessons? They gave me the foundation I’m still building on today.

Thanks for reading,