Deaddog Saloon
- Thread starter SSpeckerwood
- Start date
$ub$onic
The Sticker Guy
Insanika
Super Moderator
Oh man. The company I work for just picked up a big job in another Jurisdiction. They are struggling to fid a Pipefitter in that jurisdiction to run a crew. So my boss threw my name in as a recommendation.
I want to be a foreman and have more responsibility, but I didn't think it would come so soon. I am flattered and equally terrified. I know I have the potential, but it's gonna be a serious roller coaster ride in the beginning.
It pays an extra 10% and I'll get a company truck. But it will also mean a world of stress, and overtime. He just put the request in today, so it may be weeks before it comes to fruition, but needless to say, I have a massive boner right now.
Baptism by fire, baby!
Might as well, eh? I think you'll adapt to it just fine.
mitdr774
also a dinner prick
I have found myself being requested on jobs. Kinda odd, but I dont mind it too much. I do not feel I would be able to take a foreman job just yet. Maybe in another 5 years. I have had several foreman hint at it, but I always tell them the same thing. I do not feel I have the experience needed for that position, but if ever asked would probably accept and hope for the best.
If you want it, I hope you get it.
If you want it, I hope you get it.
Preloader
The M32 Martyr
I'm trying to be humble but screw it..... I was born to be a foreman. I can lead.
It's not rare that I'll get tired of a group of peers talking about how to do something and just jump out, grab some tools and start building. I'm not scurred to do. If it can be done, I always want to be the first to do it.
It's not rare that I'll get tired of a group of peers talking about how to do something and just jump out, grab some tools and start building. I'm not scurred to do. If it can be done, I always want to be the first to do it.
mitdr774
also a dinner prick
I know that I have a lot left to learn. I am comfortable being just a worker for now. That being said, from time to time I am handed prints, briefly walked through a project, and then told to lay out 3-4 other guys on the project. I do not mind it, but I do not feel I have the required knowledge to run a crew and answer all questions just yet. I am still a "new guy" compared to many of my fellow brothers at this shop. We do have a fair number of guys close to retiring and a younger crop of recent journeyman has been kept around and "groomed" to take positions.
At the beginning of the summer we had just over 200 working for the shop. With the recent calls that were placed we might be back up to just over 80. The fact that I survived all those cuts does make me feel as though I am being held onto for a reason. Being requested on jobs makes me feel good about the installation I do, and is odd given my lack of connections. I do greatly enjoy working for this shop and hope to continue working for them. Just over 3.5 years so far. that is rare for someone in my position in this local.
At the beginning of the summer we had just over 200 working for the shop. With the recent calls that were placed we might be back up to just over 80. The fact that I survived all those cuts does make me feel as though I am being held onto for a reason. Being requested on jobs makes me feel good about the installation I do, and is odd given my lack of connections. I do greatly enjoy working for this shop and hope to continue working for them. Just over 3.5 years so far. that is rare for someone in my position in this local.
Insanika
Super Moderator
I learn best when tossed right in. When I graduated school and came to work, they trained me as Charge Nurse right out of the box. I've gone from being a CNA in my hospital, wiping butt and filling water pitchers, to being in the drivers seat coordinating care for up to 26 patients and supervising the staff of 10-15 RNs, LPNs and aides that provide it.
I didn't think I wanted to charge, but I found out quickly that it suits me. Someone told me they thought it was because I was a natural leader. I kinda laughed and looked around.. Who me?!
Maybe you're more leadership material than you think, mitdr.
I didn't think I wanted to charge, but I found out quickly that it suits me. Someone told me they thought it was because I was a natural leader. I kinda laughed and looked around.. Who me?!
Maybe you're more leadership material than you think, mitdr.
mitdr774
also a dinner prick
When I was in Boy Scouts I held a leadership position for most of my time. I can take control and be the boss. For me it is more a matter of experience and knowledge. Well, add in that I am a fairly new journeyman and a lot of older journeyman will have an issue with some "young punk" telling them what to do. Around me a crew can make a ****ty foreman look awesome or make an awesome foreman look like he has no clue what he is doing.
If I was asked to take a book, I probably would.
If I was asked to take a book, I probably would.
Insanika
Super Moderator
I worried about something similar, with the older or more experienced nurses who all worked with me when I was an aide, and now I'm calling the shots. Didn't have much of an issue, but then I realize that dudes are different and it's way more likely to happen in your situation. I suspect your unassuming demeanor (from what I can tell) will at least help you in that regard.
Preloader
The M32 Martyr
In mitdr774's defense, we're talking about two different trades. I can see how technical knowledge of electrical systems is a little more difficult than piping systems to digest.
An electrician foreman doesn't have quite the same luxury of choice as a steamfitter foreman, in how to produce a system. It's hard to explain, but I'm sure mitdr774 knows what I mean.
But what I will say is that it sounds like you would be more welcomed as a foreman than you think. Every hand is quick to question a foreman's ability, but ask them if they want to be foreman, and you won't see so many hands go up.
Trial by fire, like Insanika said, is really the only way to make the jump. I highly doubt you'll wake up one morning and think..... "Now I'm ready."
Instead you'll have to just find out if you're ready. And so long as you don't run a job into the ground entirely, it won't be long before the hands on your crew realize you are a foreman for a good reason.
It may seem easier if you are forced to be a foreman, for the sympathy in that you didn't "choose" to give orders. But IMO, expressing the desire to be a leader is equally respectable.
An electrician foreman doesn't have quite the same luxury of choice as a steamfitter foreman, in how to produce a system. It's hard to explain, but I'm sure mitdr774 knows what I mean.
But what I will say is that it sounds like you would be more welcomed as a foreman than you think. Every hand is quick to question a foreman's ability, but ask them if they want to be foreman, and you won't see so many hands go up.
Trial by fire, like Insanika said, is really the only way to make the jump. I highly doubt you'll wake up one morning and think..... "Now I'm ready."
Instead you'll have to just find out if you're ready. And so long as you don't run a job into the ground entirely, it won't be long before the hands on your crew realize you are a foreman for a good reason.
It may seem easier if you are forced to be a foreman, for the sympathy in that you didn't "choose" to give orders. But IMO, expressing the desire to be a leader is equally respectable.
ChrisJ
Active member
I was only in the carpenters union for 1.5 years but the short time I was there I did notice a trend. Most guys said it wasn't worth being foreman for the little extra pay you got for it.
I had considered switching to the electricians union because it was much closer to what I'm interested in but my arthritis stopped me. At the time, I felt there was no reason for a 27 year old that at times (cold, windy damp days), moved like a 70 year old to be holding jobs up and making the union look bad.
Funny thing, I swore I would be crippled by age 30 and yet at 33 I'm better than I was at 25 when it first appeared.
I had considered switching to the electricians union because it was much closer to what I'm interested in but my arthritis stopped me. At the time, I felt there was no reason for a 27 year old that at times (cold, windy damp days), moved like a 70 year old to be holding jobs up and making the union look bad.
Funny thing, I swore I would be crippled by age 30 and yet at 33 I'm better than I was at 25 when it first appeared.
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Preloader
The M32 Martyr
It is NOT worth the extra pay. It doesn't come close to compensating for the extra responsibility and effort. The pride and ownership is the value. And job security, but that can also backfire.
The men that don't feel it's worth it are there to make a paycheck. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But I've had jobs where that was my only motive. I hated getting out of bed. The only reason I dragged myself to work was for the money.
The day I started this career, I knew it was something more to me than just the money. I'd still love what I do for half the wages. But don't tell anyone.
The men that don't feel it's worth it are there to make a paycheck. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But I've had jobs where that was my only motive. I hated getting out of bed. The only reason I dragged myself to work was for the money.
The day I started this career, I knew it was something more to me than just the money. I'd still love what I do for half the wages. But don't tell anyone.
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ChrisJ
Active member
It is NOT worth the extra pay. It doesn't come close to compensating for the extra responsibility and effort. The pride and ownership is the value. And job security, but that can also backfire.
The men that don't feel it's worth it are there to make a paycheck. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But I've had jobs where that was my only motive. I hated getting out of bed. The only reason I dragged myself to work was for the money.
The day I started this career, I knew it was something more to me than just the money. I'd still love what I do for half the wages. But don't tell anyone.
Loving what you do doesn't make the work any less valuable and it should be sold as such.
Though keep in mind you're still young especially compared to a lot of the guys I talked to. There is always a chance by the time you're in your 50s you won't want to put up with the bull**** anymore and taking blame for other people dropping the ball.
Preloader
The M32 Martyr
I'm aware of how it can taint someone. And quite honestly, I'm very vulnerable to that. I tend to take stress home with me, and I also have a hard time trusting others to do things right.
But foreman can also be used as a stepping stone for a broader spectrum of positions down the road. General foreman gets to oversee the entire project, and direct the foremen, or my bigger aspiration..... apprenticeship coordinator. Where I would have a direct impact on the curriculum of the training program and expectation of the apprentices.
It all starts with the short leash of a foreman's position.
But foreman can also be used as a stepping stone for a broader spectrum of positions down the road. General foreman gets to oversee the entire project, and direct the foremen, or my bigger aspiration..... apprenticeship coordinator. Where I would have a direct impact on the curriculum of the training program and expectation of the apprentices.
It all starts with the short leash of a foreman's position.
Insanika
Super Moderator
While I agree you should be paid as such, I see where Preloader is coming from.
The job "nurse" sucks as it is. Yeah, we are paid well, but a buck fiddy an hour more to charge versus when I just do IV meds, it doesn't compensate. The good pay overall doesn't compensate for the abuse we take, the daily putting ourselves and our license on the line, trying not to kill people while still keeping them alive, short-staffed and extremely overtired...
What makes it worth it: I am SOMEBODY and I am the best me I can be.
As a bus driver I am well compensated and I feel it suits the work. But I am not intrinsically rewarded for the work. I feel like a nobody and I do not like it.
Being in charge, playing an important part in people's lives daily.. Feels like $20/hr. more.
