Monday, June 23, 2008

New Direction. . .Possibly

If any of you have read my past postings, you know about my decision to return to school and get a masters degree. I have finally started my second course in my curriculum.

After accounting finally got my reimbursement information correct.

Anyhoo, my company is searching for an Environmetal Engineer for our facility. Even though the position is not actually a safety position, I have submitted my name for consideration for this job. I really do not think I'll get any serious consideration for the job, but I felt that I had to give it a shot. After searching the 'safety' jobs on monster and careerbuilder, I have noticed that if one does not have supervisory experience or environmental experience, it will be difficult for me to receive the pay that will keep me and my family on the same standard of living we are accustomed to.

If you don't know, process technicians in the petro-chemical industry make very good money. On the other hand, safety professionals and environmental technicians also make decent salaries. Not to mention that they do not have to work shift work like I currently do.

If you have never worked shift-work in your career, try not to, if you can help it. I have noticed that my overall health is not nearly as good as it was when I hired on here. I do realize that, over the years, my lack of exercise has contributed greatly to my 'lack of wellness.' Recently, I have begun to exercise more often, and I am eating better. It is so hard to eat well, when my control tech is such a good cook. Awesome Louisiana food, man. There is nothing like it. This man is the bane of my existence here at the plant.

Fatigue is a factor that shift workers have to deal with constantly. Working three straight 12 hour nights, then getting a 1/2 day off, then returning to work on a Tuesday morning at 430AM is really tough. On the body as well as the home life. I really don't know how some of these guys will drive for 1 1/2 hours to get to work every day. Can you imagine, getting up at 3 AM in the morning to get to work at 430 AM. Then, turning around and leaving around 445 in the afternoon and not getting home until around 615. That has to take a toll.

I'm trying to get out of this shift work life any way possible. I don't know if the environmental field is worth the shot, but I've already submitted my name. I'm just hoping that I can keep sane until I finish my masters. I can't wait until the day that I will have that degree and seriously search for a job with my new career in mind. Here's to early 2010, my goal for graduation.

Sorry about the rant, I'm done now. Have a great one. I hope to have some pictures of the purpletiger family vacation to Disneyworld in July. Please come back and visit.

1 comment:

Colleen said...

Don't know how you do it... getting up when it's still dark is the WORST. Unless it's because you're leaving on an exciting adventure. Which it sounds like your work currently is not. I hope you get the environmental work.