I'm curious on what everyone's thoughts here are on weighing my decision.

I'm new in the electrical trade, taken a basic electrical and core construction class at a college, and have begun working for a company doing electrical work recently.

I've already applied for the local 481 and did well, but not well enough. I think the college courses and working in electrical will boost my ability to get in on a second interview but not guarantee it, and even if not I'm already working in the electrical field.

With that said, I'd like to use the electrical skills in my real estate business to be able to do my own electric in my future endeavors, so I think the residential experience is priceless. However I want to join the union for all the benefits and pay that come along with it, but the local 481 seemingly does 90% industrial with a little commercial sprinkled in, so I don't feel like I would gain a lot of the skills required to do residential electrical work. Is this something that's in my head, or over time will I gain those skills but at a slower pace? Do you think it would still be worth it to join the union instead of doing some time in residential anyway? Should I just shoot for the union anyway and just read the code book for residential in my spare time?