I want to ask the technician level people here what they really look for in an employment situation. 'Mo money, of course. But beyond that? What floats your boat? What makes a situation really attractive to you??ÿ?ÿ
If you're not demonstrating and explaining how you're going to help me get to license I end the conversation and move on.
Period.
I could be making 30k and more in GIS and came here for mentoring and license support.
I also got the chance to work Field to finish and work with 3Dscanning and civil design.
But the mentoring and license support trumped all.
Based on my experience as both a young surveyor and managing field crews it's giving them an opportunity to learn and grow.?ÿ That applies even if they haven't chosen surveying as a career path.?ÿ
Feed a curious mind and it will grow and as it grows it will thirst for more knowledge.?ÿ
?ÿ
?ÿ
?ÿ
?ÿ
?ÿ
?ÿ
?ÿ
?ÿ
?ÿ
?ÿ
?ÿ
?ÿ
?ÿ
There are 2 different types of technicians.?ÿ
1.) A step in the path towards licensure?ÿ
2.) A career technician.?ÿ
The answer may depend to a certain amount on which category an individual may fall into.
The best job I ever had barely paid me.?ÿ I was in college and making just a little over minimum wage as a green rodman.?ÿ The mentoring that I got there has been invaluable.?ÿ I learned way more from great party chiefs than could ever hope to learn in a college survey course.?ÿ Don't ever get so involved with having every hour billable that you can't bring someone in the next generation up!?ÿ Even if they only work with you for a short while, they will remember you and the lessons you taught them for the rest of your life.?ÿ?ÿ
?ÿ
Thanks to the guys I worked with at ELS Surveying and Mapping and Stanger Surveying!?ÿ You guys have helped me more than you could ever know!
?ÿ
KF
Trust, support, unity and humor.
?ÿ
?ÿ
?ÿ
One year early in my surveying career, when it came time to do my taxes, I had a total of 6 W-2s. Five employers said I don't have any work for you next week or whatever. When you're living paycheck to paycheck, not working isn't an option. Don't treat them like a tool and challenge them to aim higher than just a job and a paycheck.?ÿ
Just because I'm paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get me.
For me, work culture is most important. I??m going to make good money pretty much wherever I go. It??s not worth working for a company with a miserable staff. Been there, done that, hated it. They could drag you right down with them.
?ÿ
I want to ask the technician level people here what they really look for in an employment situation. 'Mo money, of course. But beyond that? What floats your boat? What makes a situation really attractive to you??ÿ?ÿ
I liked having variety.?ÿ Variety of projects and variety of where I was working-- office or field.
This is definitely true later on in life.?ÿ I worked for too many A-holes for too long, and am now happier making less money but enjoying life more
Early in my career it was money.?ÿ Then ability to learn and advance, along with money.?ÿ When you don't have a lot of money, money tends to be a major driving force.
Give them a bonus twice a year.?ÿ It's not just money.?ÿ Who can't use a few extra bucks at Christmas or for a summer vacation??ÿ It's recognition of a job well done.?ÿ ?ÿIn Charlotte I met my crews for breakfast every Saturday morning.?ÿ They got paid to have a free buffet breakfast on the company.
I also made it a point to work with them periodically either cutting line or pounding wood.?ÿ?ÿ
You can hire more employees or encourage the ones you have to be more productive.?ÿ?ÿ
Every answer so far can be summed up in 2 words: "corporate culture".?ÿ
Notably no mention of vacation time off,?ÿ medical/dental benefit packages, 401k plans, etc.
I am not technician level...but when I was at that level I had no idea what GOOD health insurance really meant. Now I do...
IMHO - Organizational Health is the most overlooked area of management, especially in fields where managers have advance to their position through technical positions.?ÿ?ÿ
There are only three building blocks of a successful business: culture, people, and numbers. If you take care of the first two, the third takes care of itself.
EDIT -?ÿ I would advise anyone who works in management in a decent sized organization (or wants to), maybe 30-50+ people in engineering/surveying, to start working their way through Patrick Lencioni's books.?ÿ
NOTE: this doesn't apply to anyone in my market, they should just keep doing more of what they're doing right now.?ÿ?ÿ
https://www.tablegroup.com/books/
I've always thought I was a pretty healthy guy and at 44 the only medical claims I've had in my life are teeth cleanings and eyeglasses.?ÿ The best medical situation I've found so far was when I worked at a place that offered a high deductible plan + HSA and the company paid $1000 into the HSA every year.?ÿ I maxed out the rest voluntarily because it's pre-tax money and it becomes cash in your pocket once you retire.?ÿ It's basically a 401K that you can spend before retirement which I think is fantastic.?ÿ I wish more companies offered HSAs.
Anyway, I assume I'll want a full medical plan when I'm older but as a young person with no family to support it seems like they're often a waste of money.
When I was at the level, it was simply; Work Hard, Have Fun, Learn Something and occasionally yank the bosses chain. Benefits didn't come into play until I got married.?ÿ
*cue dire straits?ÿ