And yeah, I do freelance work -- all by referrals so far.
You may have missed the recent update, but I reached out to a couple of past one (some that changed organizations since I worked with them last)
I do need to put together a formal portfolio of work so I can court some clients that don't yet know me/my work.
I appreciate the encouragement and tips!
Anapan wrote:All the most enjoyable jobs I had were low paying, and I miss the carefree aspects and rewarding end result - labor complete and picture-perfect product. All the best jobs were, and are very challenging, but require experience and responsibility. Having the experience from the jobs I did, I was recognized and given more responsibility. Now I'm a lead-hand, and usually positioned in what my employers call "critical path". I train and guide other union brothers and sisters to help us all get the most difficult parts of the job done safely and efficiently. I'm not cut out for management, I cannot tell people to do things well, and I would not be able to deal with unproductive, ornery, angry non-workers. My foremen do that. They're payed a lot more than I am. I know how to do the things they ask me to do.
When I took this job 5 years ago, I was hoping to take a break from being "in charge" so I could get more hands-on. I was a great learning and growing experience.
I wouldn't mind doing management again, but it's much more natural when you grow the business from the ground up -- you know the ins-and-outs of the processes and you know everyone that joins as the company grows. Completely different if you're being dropped into an existing organization.
