• Posted: May 7, 2026
• better careers, Careers in Trades for Mothers in Chicago, Careers that support families, Chicago electrical apprentice, Chicago electrical construction trade, Electrical trade careers for women in Chicago, Female electrician apprenticeship in Chicago, IBEW Local 134, IBEW-NECA Technical Institute, women in electrical trades: Chicago careers, Work-life balance electrical jobs in Chicago

Mother’s Day brings a renewed focus on what it means to provide, support, and build a future for the next generation. For Nicole Larkin, a fifth-year International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 134 apprentice, that meaning has taken on a new level of purpose.

Just five weeks into motherhood, Larkin is navigating early mornings, long commutes, and the responsibility of working on active job sites, all while staying focused on the life she’s building for her daughter.

“I go to work and focus on what I’m doing, but all day long I’m thinking about what she’s doing at home. I can’t wait to get back to her,” said Nicole Larkin, a fifth-year apprentice at IBEW Local 134.

Building a Career in the Electrical Trade

Larkin did not originally set out to enter the electrical trade.

With two bachelor’s degrees and ambitions to work in athletics, she graduated in 2019 and entered the workforce just before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted industries nationwide. As opportunities in sports and related fields slowed, it was her father—an IBEW Local 134  electrician—who encouraged her to consider a different direction.

“He’s like, ‘Why don’t you just apply and see what happens?’” said Larkin.

What started as a suggestion quickly became something more.

“I had no intentions of joining the trade, but once I started, I realized I liked it more than I ever thought I would,” said Larkin.

After applying to the trainee program and entering the apprenticeship, she began building skills from the ground up, learning hands-on, gaining real-world experience, and developing the confidence to take on more responsibility. Over time, that growth became tangible. On job sites, she’s learning how to lead, plan out work, and see projects through opportunities that reflect both her ability and the training behind her.

The structure of the apprenticeship and the support around it created a clear path forward. With consistent work, strong benefits, and the ability to continue learning on the job, Larkin found herself in a career that offered both stability and long-term opportunity, something she hadn’t found in her original field.

Building a Future for Family

Becoming a parent has reshaped how Larkin views her work and her future, bringing a sharper focus on stability and long-term planning.

Through the electrical trade, she’s found a level of consistency that allows her family to make decisions based on what matters most.

“Without being where I’m at, there’s no chance my wife would be able to stay home with our daughter,” Larkin said. “So without IBEW Local 134, I don’t think we would have been able to afford that.”

Through the stability provided by IBEW Local 134, their family is able to rely on a single income while her wife stays home with their newborn.

At home, that stability is reinforced by a strong partnership.

“My wife is handling 95% of almost everything at home… so without her, I don’t know how it would be,” Larkin said.

With that support in place, Larkin can stay focused on her work and be fully present with her family when she returns.

Support on the Job and Beyond

That sense of support extends beyond the home and into the workplace.

Through her work with IBEW Local 134 electricians, Larkin has built strong relationships with coworkers, mentors, and others across the industry. What begins as a jobsite connection often grows into something more.

“It has just been coworkers turning into friendships,” said Larkin. 

That support is reinforced through union involvement. Larkin is part of the Sisters of Local 134, where she has built relationships with other women in the trade, including leadership like Amanda Blair, President of the Sisters of Local 134. Through that network, she has found mentorship, guidance, and a strong sense of community.

It’s a support system that extends beyond the jobsite—one where people stay connected, show up for one another, and build relationships that carry into everyday life.

Mentorship and union involvement create a strong support system on the job and in the relationships that continue beyond it.

Training That Builds Confidence

The training Larkin received has played a critical role in her development.

Coming into the program with no prior experience, she quickly built her skills through hands-on instruction and real-world application—learning not just the technical aspects of the work but also how to apply them safely and effectively on active job sites. Early on, she also leaned on her father, an IBEW Local 134 electrician, as a resource someone she could call with questions and learn from as she gained confidence in the field.

Over time, that foundation has translated into real responsibility. Today, she is establishing her leadership by learning to lead crews, plan tasks, and ensure work is completed safely and efficiently.

“It’s about being handed something and knowing you can figure it out,” Larkin said.

That level of confidence reflects a training model built around accountability and continuous learning. Instructors bring real field experience into the classroom, and apprentices are expected to stay engaged, ask questions, and take ownership of their growth.

For Larkin, that mindset has been key—what you put into the experience is what you get out of it.

For women—and especially new mothers—considering a career in the trades, Larkin offers advice: 

“Just do it. But what you can accomplish in the trades—you won’t find that anywhere else,” Larkin said.

As more women enter the electrical industry, perceptions continue to shift. Larkin’s experience demonstrates that success in the trades is defined by effort, commitment, and the willingness to learn.

A Career That Builds More Than Infrastructure

Every day, Powering Chicago member contractors power buildings, support infrastructure, and keep critical systems running safely and efficiently across Chicago and Cook County.

Behind that work are individuals building something equally important, their futures. From early mornings on the jobsite to hands-on problem solving in the field, the work demands focus, skill, and accountability at every step.

For Larkin, the trade has created a clear path forward—one that supports her family, strengthens her career, and provides lasting opportunity. 

“Work hard, be present, and stay true to who you are,” Larkin said.

That mindset has shaped her experience in the field and reflects what many discover in the trade: a career built not only on technical skill, but on consistency, commitment, and the ability to keep learning.

Looking Ahead

As demand for skilled electrical professionals continues to grow, the importance of investing in careers that deliver both technical expertise and long-term stability grows as well.

This Mother’s Day, stories like Nicole Larkin’s highlight the real impact of the electrical trade not only on the projects completed across Chicago but also on the lives and families supported along the way.

Find electricians like Nicole Larkin by using the Find a Contractor Tool to connect with qualified electrical contractors across Chicago and Cook County.

Learn more about the apprenticeship program in Chicago, a joint effort between the IBEW Local 134 and the Electrical Contractors’ Association of the City of Chicago (ECA), by visiting our website.