What Does a Locksmith Do (US)?

Looking at the trade of locksmith for your career? If you want to become a locksmith in the US, you need to know the job requirements, locksmith training required and the process for locksmith license in various states of the US.

In general, the basis requirements of the trade remain the same across the US. Most of the states require that you get registered as a licensed locksmith before you can start working as a locksmith. Also, you will have to undergo a training before applying for a locksmith license. In absence of training, there are provisions for test of an applicant for locksmith license. You will have to pass the practical locksmith work test to qualify for a locksmith license.

Definition & Work of Locksmith

A locksmith opens locks & safes, disassembles  locks  such  as  padlocks,  safe  locks  and  door  locks, and  repairs/ replaces worn tumblers, springs and other lock parts. You are also required to change pin lock cylinders and safe combinations. As a locksmith tradesman, you will have to removes broken keys, repairs malfunctioning locks, cuts keys by code or duplication, maintain key and combination records, installs and repairs locks on furniture, cabinets and other items.

Locksmiths operate in a location, where they can easily reach their customer. For instance, Chicago locksmith will be helping people in and around the Windy City.

That's not all. Locksmiths have to fit and install doors and related hardware, installs or repair hydraulic door closers and electronic door operators using tools.

In the age of computers, now locksmiths have to handle electronic  access  control  programming  and  manage  electronic  access  system databases. Install,  repair  and  maintain  electronic  access control  systems,  components  and related hardware.

If you are looking at a more challenging job as a locksmith, you will be designing and developing access control applications. 

How to handle an Ethical Dilemma

Life is full of choices to make, including ethical questions. If you have a situation which involves ethics in your personal life, how to handle the dilemma?

Your personal moral standing depends on the choices you make when faced with such ethical dilemmas. Some dilemmas are one where you are faced with a choice to make, and other dilemmas are where actions of others have put you in a situation to take a stand, ethically correct or morally wrong. Often, in the second scenario, people want you to forget ethics, and take a favourable decision.

When you are facing a personal dilemma or a primary dilemma where you are the first decision maker, follow these simple tips:

• Don't come to a conclusive judgement
• Analyse and gather as much information you can about the situation before you
• Discuss the situation with others - family members, friends or  colleagues
• Explore the moral & ethical principles involved
• Take note of the emotional aspects of the situation
• Refer to the Code of Ethics applicable for your workplace & how the situation should be ideally resolved
• God-fearing mother test: If your mother is a god-fearing woman with high moral standing, would she be happy with the choice you make? What would make her proud of you? 
• Consequences: What is expected out of the different choices?? Is you choice going to make someone suffer without any fault?