u/MarketingFragrant758

The thing is I have a (sort of) criminal record. Nothing crazy. I had a Domestic Abuse Battery charge from about 8 years ago. I'm in the process of trying to get it pardoned since I literally did not even commit the crime but due to just getting some horrible court-appointed lawyer and really wanting to just get out of jail as soon as possible without dragging it out I ended up with the charge even though the "victim" ended up admitting I didn't even do it because the state picked up the charges (long story and I've tried everything to get the charge removed but the only option is having it pardoned and it hasn't been pardoned yet).

I also had a drug possession arrest from over 7 years ago which was dropped to drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor) and was expunged recently.

I also have Criminal Trespassing and Public Intoxication from almost 7 years ago (will get these expunged eventually but it might take a while, possibly several years at the longest)

So given that I have the one Domestic Abuse Battery charge from 8 years ago (again I'm pretty sure it will be pardoned, but who knows maybe not so I'm just assuming not for now), and a criminal trespassing and public intoxication on my record for the time being, how likely would I be able to find another job if I ever lost this one?

The job I'm calling "this one" is with a local ambulance who I know will hire me as long as I am eligible for the license in my state. I am currently actually in the process of going back-and-forth with the EMS board in my state to make sure I can get the license. And so far it seems promising... Seems I will. I'll have a final answer in 1-2 weeks, but they judge them on a case-by-case basis and from everything I've heard from the person who I am working with, it seems highly likely I will be able to be licenses (Woohoo!)

The only thing that makes me nervous is just incase I were to ever lose this job... (You know I don't think I'd ever do ANYTHING to make me lose the job, get fired, etc... But you know... Things can happen that are out of your control, always!) I'm wondering if I'd have success finding another place to hire me. I already know this place will, but what about another one? Seems like it could be up in the air...

I'm in electrical trade school right now actually and could go that route (would be less strict with background stuff). But what I REALLY want to do is EMT/Paramedic/Firefighter. But I don't want to start EMT now and then get in a bind later in case something were to happen and I couldn't get hired somewhere else. And then I missed out on starting my Electrician Apprenticeship. Since the apprenticeship takes 4 years and I am already 30, I don't want to miss the opportunity to make the right decision now, you know?

But I know I'd rather do EMT/Paramedic/Firefighter and the money is definitely enough for me. I'm assuming that having at least a couple years experience as EMT/Paramedic (once I have it in a couple of years) would help me land another job if I ever needed to but you know, I still wonder if there would be difficulty.

I'm in the USA in Louisiana just so y'all know.

The thing is I have a (sort of) criminal record. Nothing crazy. I had a Domestic Abuse Battery charge from about 8 years ago. I'm in the process of trying to get it pardoned since I literally did not even commit the crime but due to just getting some horrible court-appointed lawyer and really wanting to just get out of jail as soon as possible without dragging it out I ended up with the charge even though the "victim" ended up admitting I didn't even do it because the state picked up the charges (long story and I've tried everything to get the charge removed but the only option is having it pardoned and it hasn't been pardoned yet).

I also had a drug possession arrest from over 7 years ago which was dropped to drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor) and was expunged recently.

I also have Criminal Trespassing and Public Intoxication from almost 7 years ago (will get these expunged eventually but it might take a while, possibly several years at the longest)

So given that I have the one Domestic Abuse Battery charge from 8 years ago (again I'm pretty sure it will be pardoned, but who knows maybe not so I'm just assuming not for now), and a criminal trespassing and public intoxication on my record for the time being, how likely would I be able to find another job if I ever lost this one?

The job I'm calling "this one" is with a local ambulance who I know will hire me as long as I am eligible for the license in my state. I am currently actually in the process of going back-and-forth with the EMS board in my state to make sure I can get the license. And so far it seems promising... Seems I will. I'll have a final answer in 1-2 weeks, but they judge them on a case-by-case basis and from everything I've heard from the person who I am working with, it seems highly likely I will be able to be licenses (Woohoo!)

The only thing that makes me nervous is just incase I were to ever lose this job... (You know I don't think I'd ever do ANYTHING to make me lose the job, get fired, etc... But you know... Things can happen that are out of your control, always!) I'm wondering if I'd have success finding another place to hire me. I already know this place will, but what about another one? Seems like it could be up in the air...

I'm in electrical trade school right now actually and could go that route (would be less strict with background stuff). But what I REALLY want to do is EMT/Paramedic/Firefighter. But I don't want to start EMT now and then get in a bind later in case something were to happen and I couldn't get hired somewhere else. And then I missed out on starting my Electrician Apprenticeship. Since the apprenticeship takes 4 years and I am already 30, I don't want to miss the opportunity to make the right decision now, you know?

But I know I'd rather do EMT/Paramedic/Firefighter and the money is definitely enough for me. And I'm assuming if I were to get a couple years at least of experience, that of course would help me land another job. I just wonder if there would be any difficulty.

I'm in the USA in Louisiana just so y'all know

I honestly am interested in BOTH plumbing an electrician routes. I am about to pay for one or the other. But I was initially leaning toward Electrician even though I would like going with plumbing as well, just due to the type of work. BUT I am about to be 31, and I've dealt with not making much money for a long time. With me being at a slightly late-start I'd really like to make money quickly. I understand "Do what you would enjoy more" and everything but to me I honestly know I would enjoy either. I like doing that type of work (both plumbing or electrical, just feel like I might enjoy electrical work A BIT more). The issue is I really want decent money soon.

I know that in Louisiana it takes 4-5 years to get licensed (Journeyman) for Electricians.

While for Plumbing it takes about the same time, maybe slightly less (4 years even) for a Journeyman's License. BUT for just a Residential License it takes only 2 years!

This is promising to me. But I can't really find much info on the pay difference between Plumbers with Residential ONLY License and Plumbers with a Full Journeyman's License.

If a Plumber in Louisiana with a Residential Only License got paid about as much as a Plumber with Journeyman's License (or close to as much) but just had to stick to Residential jobs, I feel like I would be more than happy to go with Plumbing.

The course's start date for plumbing is only 2 months later than the Electrical course so I would be Licensed 2-2 1/2 years earlier.

I almost bought a house and then my current career (Supervisor for Answering Service Call Centers) is being totally overtaken by AI (I'm watching it all fall apart in front of my eyes) so hours and pay are being cut and people are losing their jobs left and right. So it's a good thing I DIDN'T buy a house... But I was ready to and I'd really like to be able to make it happen ASAP for my quality of life.

Also... I know there is that Bill possibly being passed in Louisiana to reduce the time needed for even a Journeyman's License (for plumbing) and even for a MASTER Plumber's License! So we'll see how that goes and I'm interested to know how that TOO will affect things (Could it reduce PAY for those who are licensed???), but I think that's still up in the air so I'm just looking at the current picture...

What do you guys think?? Asking here now because I really want to start As Soon As Possible! But I wanna make the moo-lah!!!

Interested in either Plumbing or Electrical course and apprenticeship.

The plumbing is enticing to me especially because of the fact that after only 2 years you can be Licensed for Residential work (residential-only license). While there is no such "shortcut" for Electricians. You just gotta do the full 4 years and then get Journeyman's.

The fact that I could be Licensed for Residential work as a Plumber in only 2 years and then continue working towards getting my Journeyman's license while getting paid more than an apprentice with the Residential license sounds like a really good plan to me.

I think Electricians MAY get paid slightly more as apprentices but it doesn't matter if I'll have a Plumbing License in only 2 years. But of course I'm sure you still wouldn't get paid as much as a Journeyman plumber.

Anyone know the difference in pay when you have a Residential-Only Plumbing license vs. a Journeyman's?