Go to a local hardware store. See how many different tools there are for each job. Pick the area of the store that interests you most and ask an employee more about the tools there.

Visit a hardware store and look around.

Try these quick projects from Khan Academy that you can do at home. Build a simple motor, a ping pong ball launcher, or something else from the list!

Develop mechanics knowledge with hands-on projects!

Watch this video to get a better idea of what it's like to work as a lineman. These linemen explain their typical work days, schooling options, and specific jobs they've worked on.

Find out what it's like to work as a lineman.

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

Install or repair cables or wires used in electrical power or distribution systems. May erect poles and light or heavy duty transmission towers.

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

Third Interest High-Point

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Second Interest High-Point

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

First Interest High-Point

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Line Installers and Repairers

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

Other Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

Adhere to safety practices and procedures, such as checking equipment regularly and erecting barriers around work areas.

Drive vehicles equipped with tools and materials to job sites.

Open switches or attach grounding devices to remove electrical hazards from disturbed or fallen lines or to facilitate repairs.

Climb poles or use truck-mounted buckets to access equipment.

Install, maintain, and repair electrical distribution and transmission systems, including conduits, cables, wires, and related equipment, such as transformers, circuit breakers, and switches.

Coordinate work assignment preparation and completion with other workers.

Inspect and test power lines and auxiliary equipment to locate and identify problems, using reading and testing instruments.

String wire conductors and cables between poles, towers, trenches, pylons, and buildings, setting lines in place and using winches to adjust tension.

Attach cross-arms, insulators, and auxiliary equipment to poles prior to installing them.

Dig holes, using augers, and set poles, using cranes and power equipment.

Travel in trucks, helicopters, and airplanes to inspect lines for freedom from obstruction and adequacy of insulation.

Identify defective sectionalizing devices, circuit breakers, fuses, voltage regulators, transformers, switches, relays, or wiring, using wiring diagrams and electrical-testing instruments.

Test conductors, according to electrical diagrams and specifications, to identify corresponding conductors and to prevent incorrect connections.

Install watt-hour meters and connect service drops between power lines and consumers' facilities.

Splice or solder cables together or to overhead transmission lines, customer service lines, or street light lines, using hand tools, epoxies, or specialized equipment.

Place insulating or fireproofing materials over conductors and joints.

Trim trees that could be hazardous to the functioning of cables or wires.

Pull up cable by hand from large reels mounted on trucks.

Cut trenches for laying underground cables, using trenchers and cable plows.

Lay underground cable directly in trenches, or string it through conduit running through the trenches.

Cut and peel lead sheathing and insulation from defective or newly installed cables and conduits prior to splicing.

Clean, tin, and splice corresponding conductors by twisting ends together or by joining ends with metal clamps and soldering connections.

Air compressors

Air hammers

All terrain vehicles ATV

Allen wrenches

Ammeters

Arc suppression blankets

Arrow boards

Asbestos gloves

Auger bits

Augers

Awls

Backhoes

Bashlin belts

Bench vises

Block and tackle equipment

Boats

Bolt cutters

Breathing protection equipment

Buck saws

Bucket trucks

Cable benders

Cable cutters

Cable strippers

Cant hooks

Capstan hoists

Chain jacks

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

Overview

Career

What Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers Do

Other Job Titles Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

Overview

Career

What Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers Do

Other Job Titles Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers

Majors Related to Career

Related Careers

Related Leaders