After 13 years, I’m walking away

[12poundbass]

I’ve been in the utility locate industry for 13 years now and in two weeks from Monday I’ll be starting a new chapter in my career.

 

I started out as a technician and over the years worked my way up the ladder to Ops manager. It’s been a fun ride, saw a bunch of cools things, learned a ton, and have grown quite a bit during this time. I liked managing, helping new employees grow, and taking care of our natural gas customer. The long hours have burned me out, and since my current company bought the company I worked for, I don’t see the marriage between my company and our gas customer going past 2023. 
 

I’ll be working at a telecommunications company that offers fiber optic services to their customers and I’ll be an OSP Field Supervisor, so I’m still in the utility industry which I’ve grown to love doing as a career. Obviously, I’ll still be in management but on a much lighter level. 
 

I’m excited about this new opportunity and chapter in my career. 
 

[A-Jay]

Congrats my Friend

and Good Luck to you.

A-Jay

[Darren.]

Sounds like a great gig! I'm back in IT almost a year, from a long break

where I was a web manager, then a COVID stint at Lowe's for 2 years.

For you, a new adventure!

[TnRiver46]

Congratulations!

[casts_by_fly]

Congrats!  Does it come with a move to more bass friendly locales?

 

rick

[islandbass]

Congrats. I’ll have to admit the thought of waking away was from fishing. Whew!!!?

[12poundbass]

6 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

Congrats!  Does it come with a move to more bass friendly locales?

 

rick

I’m not moving BUT, gives me around 15-20 more hours a week at home and weekends off, so more fishing time. The market I’m in the fiber build is a 4-6 year project. After the project is done I can stick around here and take an operations position or I could move to another area for another big fiber build and they’ll pay moving expenses. As of right now they’re in 10 different states and constantly expanding so there’s an option to move. Northern Michigan is one market they’ll be expanding to, so still in my home state, and closer to great smallmouth fishing. We’ll see! 

6 hours ago, islandbass said:

Congrats. I’ll have to admit the thought of waking away was from fishing. Whew!!!?

I was hoping someone would fall for that. ?

[Woody B]

Congrats and good luck.  

[Mike L]

Congratulations!

I wish you much success!!

 

 

 

Mike

[gim]

2 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

Northern Michigan is one market they’ll be expanding to, so still in my home state, and closer to great smallmouth fishing.

If and when you move to northern Michigan and find Lake Menderchuck, please let us know where this elusive pot of gold is.

[casts_by_fly]

2 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

I’m not moving BUT, gives me around 15-20 more hours a week at home and weekends off, so more fishing time. The market I’m in the fiber build is a 4-6 year project. After the project is done I can stick around here and take an operations position or I could move to another area for another big fiber build and they’ll pay moving expenses. As of right now they’re in 10 different states and constantly expanding so there’s an option to move. Northern Michigan is one market they’ll be expanding to, so still in my home state, and closer to great smallmouth fishing. We’ll see! 

I was hoping someone would fall for that. ?

 

excellent!  Take the time when you have it.  For a while in 2021/2022 I had a lot of flexibility in my schedule.  Knowing it wouldn't last I took full advantage of it and managed to get out for evening sessions during the week (when the 'evening' starts at 2 PM) which during the summer could mean 6-8 hours of fishing on a Tuesday night with no other boats on the water.  It was awesome.  This year is looking like my afternoons are much more full (less project focus and more BAU) so not sure I'm going to see 35-40 fishing days this year.

[roadwarrior]

 

 

                                 

[12poundbass]

44 minutes ago, gimruis said:

If and when you move to northern Michigan and find Lake Menderchuck, please let us know where this elusive pot of gold is.

Within 10 minutes of me posting that I had a knock at my door. Two guys in black suits, ear pieces, and black sunglasses asked if I was 12poundbass. To make a long story short, a NDA was signed by me (in blood) so my lips are sealed. 
 

@A-Jay always talks about preparation, I’m here to tell you he’s not kidding! ?

[TnRiver46]

I had to trap a groundhog that dug his way into a fiber hub one time ………

[Tennessee Boy]

Congratulations and good luck in the new job.  I’ve heard that fiber is good for the digestive system.  ?

[Deleted account]

Good luck with the new gig, change is good.

[islandbass]

4 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

I’m not moving BUT, gives me around 15-20 more hours a week at home and weekends off, so more fishing time. The market I’m in the fiber build is a 4-6 year project. After the project is done I can stick around here and take an operations position or I could move to another area for another big fiber build and they’ll pay moving expenses. As of right now they’re in 10 different states and constantly expanding so there’s an option to move. Northern Michigan is one market they’ll be expanding to, so still in my home state, and closer to great smallmouth fishing. We’ll see! 

I was hoping someone would fall for that. ?

You got me and just imagine if you waited to post this on 4/1/23. Might have had more impact on me, lol. ?

[Deleted account]

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

I had to trap a groundhog that dug his way into a fiber hub one time ………

 

 

[GaryH]

Congratulations and best of luck. ??

[Mobasser]

Best luck to you on your new job.

[Dwight Hottle]

Congrats on the new job now spend a little of the extra time off making better use of that boat. That will help take some of the fishing/catching pressure off @A-Jay.

 

 

[TnRiver46]

9 hours ago, Deleted account said:

 

 

I always tell the customer if I kill every gopher they’re gonna lock me up and throw away the key, most of them get it. Some just have a puzzled look on their face, I just let them keep their gophers if they don’t get a good joke like that 

[Susky River Rat]

Congrats buddy! Wish you the best. 
 

I recently just visited a company for my current employer. After being there it made me realize how much I miss that work environment. I love my job. I love I’m not under the welding hood 8-10 hours a day. I do miss the pure fabrication aspect of things. Which where I currently am at is not present.