I love my job! 12

[MadMango]

Reading over this forum, we seem to get a lot of the same questions repeatedly, phrased in different manners. I find some of the things posted here amazing, and couldn't imagine myself staying in some of those conditions longer than a week. So I thought it would be interesting for us to post what we have found that we have liked or loved about our past or present employers. Maybe those are strong words as well? How about what aspect of a company kept you getting out of bed in the mornings?

I have found that most of my past employers were involved in products that were actually beneficial to society in some tangible manner. Even when I worked for a defense contractor, I knew the products I worked on were strictly defensive in nature, meaning I had a small part in potentially saving a life. Having this "peace of mind" made it very easy for me to go to work on a daily basis.

Most of my past employers had good attitudes towards their workers, salaried or not. It didn't matter if it was a large or small company, it seemed like the management actually cared about me. I know that The Board or The Investors could care less, but I always got the feeling that the CEO and those down the ladder always did. This was the warm and fuzzy feeling that made it nice to stay at an employer.

The vast majority of my coworkers have been a pleasure to work with. They all wanted to do a good job, and do the right thing, just like me. Even the grumpy guy wanted to do things right, that was why he was so grumpy. I found that some of my favorite employers had employees that were having a good time at work. It didn't necessarily involve Nerf darts and unicycles, but when a company allows a little relaxation it was noticeable (and nice).

So let's hear what's positive about your past or future employers, things than go beyond compensation. I'm sure in the end we'll see a trend that others can look forward to.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."


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[ajack1]

Jmw that probably sums up the difference between you and me.

I feel extremely fortunate with the hand life dealt me in that all the things outside of my control gave me a great start in life, what I do with them is entirely down to me, you choose to ignore the start and blame everyone else for you not getting where you want to be.

I look at it the same as being overweight, if you are born with an eating disorder there is little or nothing you can do about that, if you are overweight because you eat too much or do not exercise enough that is entirely your own fault, not the fault of the guy that serves you an oversize meal.

 

[jmw]

ajack1:

...you choose to ignore the start and blame everyone else for you not getting where you want to be.

?


JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[jmw]

I've been to cool down and it didn't work. Not when there is no clarification or retraction posted.

I think this is an offensive, unwarranted and unjustified personal attack.

You need to read again what I said and if you don't understand what I said, ask me to clarify.

I can and do put a certain level of blame on bad management and on brown noser personalities for some of the issues that I have had to confront and which have done me damage.
To use your analogy I guess we should blame Etheopian children dying of starvation for their lack of character? Or abused children? Is it their fault?
Or families who are destroyed by idiots who think cot death is due to child neglect or abuse and take away the families other children?
Yes, even your view on people who are overweight because they choose to eat is a somewhat superior attitude to take and if there are some fat people here who don't have the excuse of some sort of genetic disorder I am sure they will be happy to take exception too.
Perhaps those people convicted of crimes they didn't commit and were convicted based on false evidence or inept investigations are also to be blamed for their lack of character?

But what you are suggesting is either that I lack professionalism or I lack character. You'll be happy to know you have probably also offended some other members by your attitude.
Now I defy you to tell me I am the only member of these forums who has not suffered from such problems in their time.
I actually know of a a few who have had such difficulties, one of whom had to take the discussion out of these fora and where there was concern from myself and from at least one other member (to a much greater extent and from personal experience) that this person was potentially in a life threatening position from the work environment colleague. This was not that persons fault. It wasn't a character defect on their part. But you think they should accept the blame for having to change jobs several times to try and get away from the threat?

So what you say to me you are saying to them also.

This in a week when I am approached to see if I'll give a paper at an upcoming conference and possibly chair a session. A week when I am also approached to see if I would be interested in collaborating with a University research group on one of my areas of interest.
In fact this week I have had occasion to look back at some notable successes and see some satisfactory reflection of my success in the way some respected professionals deal with me.

If you want to red flag your post and have it taken down please do.
I wont.
I am happy for others to see what you have said and make up their own minds.





JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[ajack1]

Firstly no I would not blame starving children or abused children of having lack of character. I though I made it very clear that I consider myself very lucky for the hand life dealt me with regard to things I have no control over. If I did not make that clear I apologise.

As for offending overweight people, well I am overweight myself and have finally decided to do something about it. The big difference between that and starving children is it is entirely my own fault that I am overweight and it is entirely down to me to do something about it and I have the ability to do so.

If there are people who are overweight that do not have a medical condition that I have offended, by saying it is their own fault, so be it. It is my view that only they can do something about it.

At no pint do I question your lack of professionalism or character, what I said was for not getting where you want to be. As just about every post you put on here moans about how bad work life is and has been and how it is always managements or co-workers fault I assumed that you were not where you wanted to be. If you are where you want to be then I apologise for that as well.

Everything else I think expresses my views, if others find that so offensive that they wish to red flag them that is their right.

 

[ajack1]

As for the no clarification or reaction posted that was because I went to watch England play Wales at rugby with a group of friends.

Whilst going to watch a game of sport I enjoy with a group of friends on one of my days off and not monitoring every activity in the everyday world seems a reasonable thing to do to me, clearly you take that as some sort of personal attack.

I guess that just highlights another one of the differences between you and me, others can judge who they think is right.

 

[Jetgirl8]

I love most things about my current job, and the main reason I really appreciate my current employer and position is the contrast to previous experiences. So in a very real sense, I love my previous bad jobs for teaching me exactly what I don't love about engineering, management, and ethics.

-I love my co-workers. By and large, I work with brilliant people who are also kind, caring, wonderful human beings that I am honored to count as friends.
-I love the independence in my job.
-I love that I have seen a project from start to finish without it being cancelled!
-I love the location of my job. Most people I work with probably would not agree, but I am very happy with the area I get to live and work in.

All in all, my current bad days are better than most of my best days at my previous employer, so I count myself very lucky and blessed.

When the future's architectured
By a carnival of idiots on show
You'd better lie low

 

[prc]

I am doing a 9-5 day( most days more than 10 hours), 6days a week,52 week job for the past 45 years after passing out a 5 year engineering degree course from University - first 33 years with a government manufacturing company and last 12 years with a global MNC.Frankly I was enjoying my work,every Monday eager to be at my table to see what problem is waiting for me.I think if one can excell in a skill or continue learning different disciplines,one will never get bored with the job.Eventhough basically Iam an electrical engineer, my ineterests are wide including literature,history,biography etc,etc.It is more the way we look at rather than job content that make a job interesting.I too had funny bosses,but I used to ignore them and tried to enjoy my work.

 

[REVK]

reading through the first post... had to stop there, makes me chuckle... the company i work for provides Monsanto with there chem processing equip.

very much so not helping the world in any way!

 

[REVK]

your hate is welcome!

 

[lacajun]

Great idea MadMango!

I loved engineering school. It's a great joy understanding how things work and being able to solve problems.

I love most of the people I've worked with. The ones I only like I would still help, if they needed it and I could.

I've learned interesting things on the job about engineering and people.

I've grown personally through the good times and the not-so-good times. I desperately needed growth and still do.

I've made a good living and been able to enjoy life and help others in my personal life.

It's a pleasure to have an operator, mechanic, foreman, etc. let you know you've made life easier for them. I've heard that a number of times. Some have moved me to tears and I don't cry easily or often.

It's a pleasure to know I've helped society.

It's a pleasure to help others professionally.

It's a pleasure to help your customers, internal and otherwise, solve their problems.

I've traveled to countries and met people I wouldn't have otherwise.

Growing up in poor circumstances didn't allow me to dream of near the life I've lived thus far. I am blessed in so many ways!

Pamela K. Quillin, P.E.
Quillin Engineering, LLC

 

[lacajun]

ajack1 (Automotive)
25 Feb 12 14:28
I am overweight myself and have finally decided to do something about it.

All the best in that effort! Isn't it great to take control of some of the out-of-control bastions of life?

I've had a number of people, who know my background, tell me that I shouldn't have accomplished near what I have. I shouldn't be near as solid as I am given my childhood. However, by God's grace, I am here. It's not been easy and it's not been pretty but I have overcome some harsh realities of life. It is not about what happens to us. It is about how we handle what happens to us. We have choices to make about every big and small situation in life and they all count.

My dad, one of my biggest problems in life, marveled at how I could get get knocked down so many times but still pick myself up by the boot straps, brush the dirt off, and keep going. I don't think I do that on my own but through Providence alone.

When you've reached your goal, and you will, let us know so we can congratulate you!

Pamela K. Quillin, P.E.
Quillin Engineering, LLC

 

[ajack1]

Thanks lacajun, I actually reached my goal a couple of weeks ago having lost 56 lbs. To be honest it wasn’t that difficult, it makes me wonder why I didn’t do it years ago rather than always think I will do it tomorrow.

I honestly believe almost anything is possible if you have the right frame of mind and the drive and determination required, which is why I get so frustrated with people who always just want to blame someone else for their own short comings.

 

[KENAT]

56lbs, impressive ajack. Sorry way of topic but wow, well done.

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[lacajun]

ajack1, congratulations! That is quite an accomplishment regardless of your ease. It still takes discipline and determination. You have the same thinking as my mother.

I think we often, me included, forget to be thankful for the good things on our jobs because we subconsciously blame others for our decisions to let them make us miserable. Hope that returns the topic to target...

Pamela K. Quillin, P.E.
Quillin Engineering, LLC

 

[ports394]

I've been significantly involved in the design & construction of 2 buildings. I love having something tangible that represents my work.