IBEW 234 was another application I wish I had started earlier.
By this point, I had learned the lesson: do not wait on one union before applying to another. But I was still living with the results of not doing that from the beginning.
The IBEW 234 process felt more manual than some of the others.
The application window was posted online. I submitted my email. Then I received an application to fill out and mail back physically with the required items.
That was different from the fully online applications.
Not hard.
Just more steps.
And with more steps, there are more ways to delay yourself if you are not organized.
One helpful part was that I had already taken the IBEW aptitude test through IBEW 332. I was able to transfer that score, which meant I did not have to test again for 234.
That moved me straight toward the interview stage.
This is a good reminder for applicants:
Ask whether test scores can transfer.
Do not assume they can.
Do not assume they cannot.
Ask the program and follow their rules.
If a score transfer is allowed, it can save time and keep your momentum going.
For IBEW 234, I mailed in the required application materials and waited for the interview date.
By this stage, I had more experience with the process. I had taken tests. I had sat for interviews. I had received ranks I did not love. I had also received one strong rank.
That helped.
Every application teaches you something you can carry into the next one.
Even the frustrating parts are not wasted if you learn from them.
IBEW 234 became another path on the board.
And at this point, having multiple paths mattered more than chasing one perfect option.