New to HVAC, offered a controls position with 2 different companies

[Aeromech84]

I have a dozen years of experience working on controls with a large corporation, just not in the HVAC field. I want to switch careers and get into this field and work on the commercial side. I was offered positions with two companies. One small and one very large global company. Both as a controls tech, both of them aware I have no experience in hvac. I am unsure which environment would be best to gain knowledge and build a future with.

The small company was really cool. I met the high-ups and they were very pleasant to talk to. I could go out and have a beer with them I feel like. They are a commercial contractor and do only commercial service, installs, and retrofits. They’ve had guys working there since the 80s and 90s and they are well respected in the area and even parts of the US.

The large company I’m sure everybody knows. I would be an hvac controls tech. From my experience with global corporations, you have good benefits and nice work trucks, but if you want to learn something new, you have to switch departments. Maybe even relocate.

I want to learn every part of the trade. I feel like the small company would be better for me. I want to eventually learn the programming side and be able to do anything thrown at me. The programmers work out of the same building as the controls techs do.

What do you guys think? I don’t know how the industry operates very well so I would like some insight on which path sounds like a fit for me.

[beenthere]

Smaller company will probably have better learning opportunities. As far as learning the rest of the trade.

[joey791]

Aero, do I know the large company?

[Aeromech84]

Aero, do I know the large company?

Johnson Controls

[joey791]

The place I set you up with didn't give you a shot?

[Aeromech84]

No, I applied but they never got back to me. It was probably my resume. I had to revise it a bit and add more detail which gave me much more call backs.