Im not the smartest guy but I always knew not to take a job that wasn’t local or hands on technician work. I always felt it there was too much risk of being moved to Dallas. Too many nocs closing etc. I’m talking 20 years ago and up until today. Sometimes those easy jobs are just not safe enough.
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Post from TheLayoff.com
One of the most well written and gracious posts I’ve ever read on this often toxic forum.
I myself fall on the side of having to get out of craft years ago as I could not stand being a natural high performer while always making the exact same amount as other guys in my group that could barely tie their own shoes. Sometimes less If those guys had more seniority and could get overtime where I could not.
I do not regret the decision to go into management at all. Financially I am making 2x more than I could as the highest level of craft and despite the comments here, it’s not an overly stressful life. In fact, most of us individual contributors have a pretty flexible work-life balance that allows us to manage our own work and time as long as the work is done. I do like to be challenged however, and that’s what keeps the job interesting.
I do always find it funny that so many people here think of managers as just managing other people. The networks and services we sell that keep this company afloat are decided, architected, tested, and deployed by high technical managers, all the way up to 3rd and 4th level. The work with vendors to identify and resolve defects, the work to secure new hardware and software and to certify them, this is all technical management/engineering work.
All of the work that craft has in their day-to-day comes from the work of these management roles, some good and some bad of course, but that’s just how it works.
To the poster below this is exactly the way I feel. I never wanted management because I know myself and know my strengths and weakness. Over the years and more recently I’ve become even more happy with my decision but I do get it that some people want to advance beyond the union glass ceiling. Power too you I just never wanted the stress of it.
I’ll throw my two cents in as well. I’m a tech with 25 years. I don’t judge or begrudge anyone who goes into management. I’ve watched co workers go into management and they’ve been very successful and most are still here and making much more than me. I earn about 116 to 120 a year with OT. They earn about 160 to 180 as technical managers or project managers. Some love it and have no regrets. Others wish they stayed craft. You have to just know yourself when making that decision. I love being craft because it’s not just about the salary for me. As a systems tech , I’ve done a little bit of their job here and there. I l prefer having zero stress. I don’t like managing or babysitting people. I didn’t like the times I’ve had to manage a project. I’m simple. I like to go home and bang the wife and not ever have to bring the job home mentally or literally. For me, staying craft makes sense and I have no regrets cause I love my stress free life. I like letting someone else deal with the b.s that comes with a management position.
I like the job security. I like my work. I hope to be still here doing my simple job till I’m 80. Cause it’s simple. It pays the bills. I’m risk and stress adverse and I’m ok with that.
Some folks prefer to have more mental challenges and more money. That’s ok too. Just got to follow your heart and know your own strengths and weaknesses. There’s no wrong answer. I can’t believe all the “adults”arguing below about who’s right and wrong. So silly. Some of you have some maturing left to do.
“You and Big John are in for a rude awakening. I’ll be living off the interest I made from 38 years here trying to train imbeciles like your d-mb a-s. It’s going to be entertaining to watch you know it alls try to hire us experts back as contractors. Stay on that high horse as long as you can but your day is coming. Karma is a bi--h.”
You must be exceptional. None of my managers trained me at all. They only asked me to do extra work. They even asked me to help them learn their job. Just because you’re the boss of people doesn’t mean you know what you’re doing. If you are exceptional then you know this from your bosses.
You and Big John are in for a rude awakening. I’ll be living off the interest I made from 38 years here trying to train imbeciles like your d-mb a-s. It’s going to be entertaining to watch you know it alls try to hire us experts back as contractors. Stay on that high horse as long as you can but your day is coming. Karma is a bi--h.
“You sure are not the smartest guy. If we all follow your "philosophy" then the world would not exist. If we all took the work near our homestead, then we would not improve, hey there is a world out there outside Gillette, Wyoming... but these go above you, since you declared you are not the smartest guy, I believe you.”
Your absolutely right. Thanks for not taking my advice after the fact. You’ve saved the world!
You sure are not the smartest guy. If we all follow your "philosophy" then the world would not exist. If we all took the work near our homestead, then we would not improve, hey there is a world out there outside Gillette, Wyoming... but these go above you, since you declared you are not the smartest guy, I believe you.
Direct customer facing has always been the safest. Not full proof but safest
“ Not sure acting all proud is warranted when college kids take entry level management jobs for substantially more than the number you are quoting. A lot of us who've been around a while more than double it.”
Ok for double I’ll do it but do I have to move to Atlanta?
"Overtime is a normal part of being a technician at a utility company. Wages are to the point that 100k doesn’t take much overtime."
Not sure acting all proud is warranted when college kids take entry level management jobs for substantially more than the number you are quoting. A lot of us who've been around a while more than double it.
Do whatever works for you but if you think any of us would use a time machine to go back and be you, think again. No matter what happens with RTO, we're better off.
Don't dredge this nonsense up if you don't like being told that.
It's not us vs you. But if it is, we win.
Hands on or be gone. Me and my buddys always felt this way too!
“ Im not the smartest guy”
TL;DR, but above is 100% accurate
A computer job in a technical telecommunications field is the remote provisioning, testing and troubleshooting of TDM and ethernet circuits in the network you’re assigned to. These jobs can be worked by anyone anywhere in the world. A local job requires hands on expertise with the equipment with hand-tools and also debugging, provisioning and testing while connected through a laptop. The local position has more job security. I worked in a Nocc and also in the CO and outside in the Digital Electronics Group and other wage scale 32 positions.
“Lots of 100k plus years working overtime"
You're actually proud of this?
Overtime is a normal part of being a technician at a utility company. Wages are to the point that 100k doesn’t take much overtime.
All jobs at this company are “computer jobs” maybe what he/she means is computer only with no hands on work. Lots of people do bust a-s work like change oil and coolant on huge generators, climb poles go in manholes that type of work would not typically be computer work. Could be eventually contracted I suppose. It’s all risky to some degree
"Lots of 100k plus years working overtime"
You're actually proud of this?
“Computer jobs”
What? Lol
“It depends on what you want out of life. For some, career is their complete identity and if that's what drives a person then so be it. You know, it's a free country. Others have a life outside this place, planted some roots, placed a priority on family, a social circle, a church, or something with a stronger magnetic pull than whatever may be the next rung up a ladder at AT&T. When I hang up my hat, and it's not too far away, I can walk out the door and say I did the right thing for me.”
Well said staying on the bottom is not for everyone but as the years and decades go by I’m glad I didn’t move up. To be honest I’m better with a screwdriver than a mouse anyway so worked out just fine.
I 100% agree. These social security eligible employees who left AT&T for places like Florida and Arizona and South Carolina to retire to and work remote, now are upset that they have to come back to office in a hub city. I am 100% with Big John and his mission to get people to work or leave. We can replace them with much cheaper labor in India if they want to work remote.
Totally agree with you. Lots of 100k plus years working overtime and still safe and sound working on equipment. Computer jobs have always been risky at this company unless you have local direct reports which comes with its own negatives.
It depends on what you want out of life. For some, career is their complete identity and if that's what drives a person then so be it. You know, it's a free country. Others have a life outside this place, planted some roots, placed a priority on family, a social circle, a church, or something with a stronger magnetic pull than whatever may be the next rung up a ladder at AT&T. When I hang up my hat, and it's not too far away, I can walk out the door and say I did the right thing for me.
Spoiler alert: OP drives Doordash
LMAO! Congrats on your ultra conservative decisions that may or may not have done anything for you and likely hampered and pigeoned you in the long run.
You do realize there have been many HQ’s through the history of ATT and numerous mergers, right?
What an odd flex.