Mike’s Thoughts, Ideas and Ramblings

Well, as I stated in my last post, I expected the mill to return to idle in January.  The good news is that we have work until mid February but the work week will be reduced to 32 hours per week.  That is the minimum allowed by contract with the production workers.  I expect I will be employed through that time but after that, the order book looks poor and some tough choices may need to be made.

So, I continue my job search.  Hoping to find stability in this weak market.

I met with upper management last week and was informed that due to the poor market outlook, I should not expect any changes to my current contract through 2010.  At this point, I am thankful to be employed but sadden by the fact that this same song has been played for the last three years and now, will make its way into a fourth season.

So, I rely on social networking sites, job posting boards and old co-workers in my search.  I have had some positive responses as well as stories similar to my own.  But through it all, I am confident that the right opportunity will reveal itself.

I have decided also, that I need to become more marketable.  This decision had led me to begin pursing my MBA.  I have begun gathering study material in preparation for my GMAT exam this summer and hope that by fall; I can be enrolled in an MBA program.  I am confident that this degree, in conjunction with my MS in Computer Engineering will provide me with opportunities to move beyond the typical engineering role into a role where I am able to lead and manage other engineers and projects.

Having run my own business as well as my past role as V.P of Engineering, I have had ample opportunity to learn what it means to manage a project cost and schedule.  It has allowed me to understand how minor improvements or changes in one area can have dramatic effect on the success or failure of a project.  Now is the time to put those self-learned skills to the test and formalize the street smart knowledge into a degree.

Please check back for more updates as during this time of uncertainty, things change rapidly.

Well, the good news is that the mill has returned to operation.  The bad news is that as I review the order log, I expect that January will bring another idle period.  It has been a year of ups and downs for this place.  We had managed to squeak out a few weeks of running over the summer and managed to get the union to bend the rules about the minimum number of hours worked per week.  Sadly though, that “bending” will end as of Dec. 31st so I fully expect we will enter another period of slow sales and idled operations.

Interestingly for me though is the fact that I have been forced to lay off all my guys and now do the tasks of 4 people?  I have had the chance to expand my knowledge of .NET programming and have been indoctrinated into the fine art of Microsoft Server Active Directory.  I have programmed computers in Texas while sitting at my desk here in McKeesport.

I continue to search for employment elsewhere though.  I guess in my 24 years, I have learned that I need to continually look to grow.  I have begun investigating where an MBA would lead me. Would that degree afford me the opportunity to return to what I love to do, manage people.

I guess as I sit here at 6:00 a.m., I have a lot to think about.  Sure, here I am 4 miles from home, paid fairly well and can pretty much set my own schedule.  On the downside, I now must do the work of 4 people, have not seen a raise since I started 3 years ago and have to deal with ever changing priorities.

Well, I will continue to search and explore possibilities but I will also search for contentment.  I guess neither is easy to find in this economy.  Finding a job elsewhere is tough, pretty much for any industry right now.  And finding contentment is tough simply because of the uncertainty of the economy and the future.

I guess any way you look at it; we are at a point in history where the future of this country and the direction the free market is going has never been more uncertain. My prayer this morning is that in the midst of all the uncertainty, we will be able to find some solid place to stand upon, a place that brings a feeling of contentment, security and overall peace.

Well, it became official today.  Due to poor sales it looks like the plant will be idled in early March.  No one is saying how long at this point but for me personally, I need to begin my search for other opportunities.

It has been a good run at this job.  Close to home, flexibility and good pay.  I am thankful for the move we made last June into our smaller home.  That will definitely help us survive the lean times.

As I sit here this evening, I ponder so many things.  First and foremost, my job.  As the market downturn continues I find myself, for the first time ever since I was 14, looking at becoming unemployed.

Back in early spring of last year, Lana and I felt called to look for a new home.  Something smaller and more managable. We left  a 7 year old, 3200 sq ft home that my father and I built and moved into a 1600 sq ft, 50+ year old home.  The new place needed a new furnace and has little insulation in the walls.  Through it all, we kept wondering why God would ask us to make such a move.  Well, seems obvious today.  With the impending work change we would have never been able to stay in that large home.  Once again, following Gods call for us has paid off.

So, back to today….My 2+ years as a contractor has taught me so many things.  I have learned new programming skills in everything from SQL Server to administering Servers.  From programming in PHP and C# to learning Eclipse and Java.  All have served me well and this experience will stay with me for the rest of my life.

I have no idea what tomorrow holds and in some ways, maybe I don’t want to know.  I think sometimes we try so hard to see a future that we forget about living today.  So, I move on…Praying for the best and preparing for the worst….