He was aiming at a career as a telegrapher and in this he was advised and helped by his uncle Charles Wheatstone (the piece of electrical apparatus known as the Wheatstone bridge is named after him).
Siya ay aiming sa isang karera bilang isang telegrapista at sa mga ito siya ay ipinapayo at tumulong sa pamamagitan ng kanyang tiyuhin Charles Wheatstone (ang mga piraso ng elektrikal kasangkapan na kilala bilang ang Wheatstone tulay ay pinangalanang matapos kanya).