u/Gotex_14

I’m 26 years old and a union electrician apprentice in south alabama. I want to pivot out of the construction electrician scene and be an electrical engineer. I’m stuck between NG and AD. I don’t mind doing either but I want a realistic plan on pursuing college and not working 70 hours a week. Any advice from people who pursued college while working active duty or national guard would be appreciated. I want to stay in the electrical job force.

Been working construction industrial through the union and applied for the apprenticeship but was wondering what jobs I can be hired for with the training that the apprenticeship offers. I enjoy the problem solving and money plus the JWs very helpful but I hate the construction side of electrical. I was wondering if the IBEW has jobs, that has a better work life balance thats not hard on the body like construction.. I heard stationary engineers work is a cool gig but they have a separate union, should i strive for something similar within the IBEW or would i have to take the L and start over with the IUOE.. I’m in south Alabama.. thanks for any help or advice

Edit: 27M CW with 5,000 hours with the union was in college for my pre reqs to become an engineer which is why I didn’t apply for the apprenticeship but my work schedule made it hard to be a full time student so im taking time off from school. Not sure if EE is worth it because i’d have to take time off from the job force to be a full time student..

Would it be worth changing careers as a IBEW CW with 3 years experience to the IUOE as an apprentice? I want to become an electrical engineer but a stationary engineer sounds and seems way more interesting. As an industrial electrician pre-apprentice I enjoy the problem solving with different tasks but I hate the work weather and portalets lol.. Is there any downside? Should i stay the electrician route?