Hey guys, every now and again I like to pull my head out of my a$$ and make sure I haven't missed something. I'm just looking for advice or similar situations some may have been in like me, and where you stand now. I joined here not too long ago and this seems to be a great community of the like minded.
I need to make this clear. I am very happy where I am. Good company, good pay and the other techs are great. I am not putting feelers out there.
I started out in this field 10 years ago knowing absolutely nothing about HVAC. I was a cogeneration mechanic who got hired to work on generators and learn the HVAC trade when there was no cogeneration work. Well, the generators fell off the map here. I still work on them but 99.9% of my time is HVAC. I got my universal refrigerant license in NY within a year from starting, paid for by the company. A couple years after that, got sent to Trane Centrivac teardown class, also paid for. I did a stint of rooftops and heatpumps as primary work. After a few years, started getting into chillers. As of now, I do a mix of everything from PMs on RTU's to heat pumps to PMs and repairs on 2000 ton chillers. I am currently working on a 350 ton Trane CVHE teardown. I would love to primarily work on the larger equipment but think seniority is holding that back. Everyone knows the right of passage in this field.
I do tend to get happy in my little world. My life is my family and work. I tinker around the house but that's about it. I don't have any other contacts in this field outside of who I work for... besides you guys. I just want to make sure I'm not missing the big picture. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Stop, step back, relax and have another go at it.
-----Stop, step back, relax and have another go at it.-----
I don't know what you are asking, concerning this big picture you speak of? Please explain. In other words, are you asking if you should stay where you are, or move on, etc.? I read your post twice, but maybe i just missed it.
That's funny! OK, I'll try to explain better. 10 years ago, I got fed up with my job. Started looking around and found the one where I'm at now. For the past 10 years, I went to work, came home to my family and that's it. I have not thought about where I am career-wise. I don't know if I'm not far enough along or doing well. Like I said, I have no interaction other than the company I'm in. I feel like I'm in a good spot but have no comparison. I was also looking for other to chime in on their story. That part was more of a conversation piece.
Does that help?
Stop, step back, relax and have another go at it.
-----Stop, step back, relax and have another go at it.-----
That's funny! OK, I'll try to explain better. 10 years ago, I got fed up with my job. Started looking around and found the one where I'm at now. For the past 10 years, I went to work, came home to my family and that's it. I have not thought about where I am career-wise. I don't know if I'm not far enough along or doing well. Like I said, I have no interaction other than the company I'm in. I feel like I'm in a good spot but have no comparison. I was also looking for other to chime in on their story. That part was more of a conversation piece.
Does that help?
It's not like a move on or stay, it's more like should I press more or be happy where I'm at. Everyone here has had to come up the ranks. Everyone has done that in different time frames. I'm not looking for praise nor scrutiny. I just don't know where I fall in the mix.
Stop, step back, relax and have another go at it.
Stop, step back, relax and have another go at it.
-----Stop, step back, relax and have another go at it.-----
OK, nutradesman, you're going to have to educate me on this one. I'm not familiar with unions. Would I have to go through an apprenticeship with the experience I have?
Stop, step back, relax and have another go at it.
-----Stop, step back, relax and have another go at it.-----
I have not thought about where I am career-wise. I don't know if I'm not far enough along or doing well.
OK, now i think i see the big picture. You are asking yourself if you want to ONLY be in the specalized field of major chiller repair until retirement, correct? If that is the case, only you can answer that question. I can tell you this, i would not want to have all my eggs in one basket, with just one skill. With your experience on major chiller repair, you could easily find a job in a large commercial setting, and not only continue to work on chillers, but also install, troubleshoot and repair, about every other piece of equipment in the hvac/r field, not to mention plumbing, electrical, fire alarm systems, emergency generators, etc. etc. etc. The job would be a Stationary Engineer, or may also be called a Maintenance Engineer, depending on the employer. I spent many years working in many specalized jobs, all working toward the job of Stationary Engineer, and it is hands down the most complete all around job in our industry, if you pick the right employer and complex. I have hired techs from Johnson Controls, Honeywell, Simplex, to name a few, and it was a great deal for both of us. If you do a search here titled "advice", and look at post #2, you will see the benefit package that I, and all the other engineers that worked for me enjoyed, and they still do. Is this what you were asking? PS: The oldest building i worked on was the Memorial Auditorium, that opened in 1926, and the newest, opened in 2010, and every other building age in between.
I agree with everything you said there. I do work for a major brand, which so happens to be a franchise still, non-union. Average jouneyman pay here would be a slight pay cut for me. Owner is great, benefits, safety and just about everything else you mentioned. Other than office politics(which you'll find anywhere), I have no gripe. They've treated me well. At 10 years, I'm still a youngin' here. I'm being mentored by our senior service guy of 40+ years in the company. The stationary engineers that I have had contact with here are nothing like you have described... at least in the buildings I'm in. They usually put out a service call for any issues. They run the plant, some PM work but that's it. Maybe a contract difference? I think you may have helped me answer my own question. I'm happy where I am, with an employer I can see retiring from. My dream goal is to get out before my body gives out and hopefully teach HVAC. That would be a nice wind down to my career. I really appreciate your response.
You are Very Welcome BennyG! And may i add, it is refreshing to hear someone on this forum actually to say "Thank You"! Never loose your "Common Courtesy" BennyG, no matter happens in life. Good Luck to You!
I agree with everything you said there. I do work for a major brand, which so happens to be a franchise still, non-union. Average jouneyman pay here would be a slight pay cut for me. Owner is great, benefits, safety and just about everything else you mentioned. Other than office politics(which you'll find anywhere), I have no gripe. They've treated me well. At 10 years, I'm still a youngin' here. I'm being mentored by our senior service guy of 40+ years in the company. The stationary engineers that I have had contact with here are nothing like you have described... at least in the buildings I'm in. They usually put out a service call for any issues. They run the plant, some PM work but that's it. Maybe a contract difference? I think you may have helped me answer my own question. I'm happy where I am, with an employer I can see retiring from. My dream goal is to get out before my body gives out and hopefully teach HVAC. That would be a nice wind down to my career. I really appreciate your response.
I have a buddy in local 94 in a stationary position and he also said depending on issue they call up someone else for service, I thought that was a bit odd. I wanted to crack a joke, but I bit my tongue..lol
My advice is do whatever makes you happy, I got back into the trade after 8 months of long, hard thinking about what I really enjoyed doing. If I wanted to get rich I wouldn't be in this trade and it's not all about the money, but the challenge and satisfaction. If teaching is what you want to finish up as, I say go for it! If that's what will truly make you feel like you're waking up to do a hobby, instead of waking up to go to work. Never lose site of what is important to you and what makes you happy, and never give up until you reach it. You control your own destiny.
I have a buddy in local 94 in a stationary position and he also said depending on issue they call up someone else for service, I thought that was a bit odd. I wanted to crack a joke, but I bit my tongue..lol
My advice is do whatever makes you happy, I got back into the trade after 8 months of long, hard thinking about what I really enjoyed doing. If I wanted to get rich I wouldn't be in this trade and it's not all about the money, but the challenge and satisfaction. If teaching is what you want to finish up as, I say go for it! If that's what will truly make you feel like you're waking up to do a hobby, instead of waking up to go to work. Never lose site of what is important to you and what makes you happy, and never give up until you reach it. You control your own destiny.
I agree with your point as well. I know I won't get rich nor do I want to. It's more of a focus on bettering myself and making my family financially comfortable. I love my work. Sure there are some jobs that you'd rather not have to go to, but in all, this field is very satisfying. It is extremely diverse. I'm glad I joined this site. Seems like a lot of great guys here!
Stop, step back, relax and have another go at it.
-----Stop, step back, relax and have another go at it.-----