A few weeks ago I decided that after taking 4 months off it was time to get back to working for my money rather than blogging for the love of it. So I applied for a job outside of what I have been doing for 23 years and bugger me, I got it.
Why change from a career that pays really well after 23 years? I thought giving something different might be interesting and I really have nothing to loose. If it doesn’t turn out, I can come back to electronic security. It’s amazing how doors open when you are not looking. I believe one day I will be working full time as a security consultant doing what I love but until that position presents itself, I’m going to try my hand in a different field and gain some new skills.
So what am I doing now? I’m an account manager for 2 states of Australia in a franchisee base company that performs electrical safety testing. I look after a portfolio of clients that our franchisees do the testing for and ensure they meet the Australian safety standards.
At this early stage I am finding it challenging as it is an industry I know nothing of. I need to learn everything from scratch. All the standards, a different type of client base and a very structured database of when tests are required, which varies significantly depending on the work place environment.
The industry on the surface looks dead boring. The technicians spend all day testing electrical cables, emergency exit lights and RCD’s. They do as the job title suggests. Test it and tag it. I’m sure you have seen the tags on the end of electrical cords in your work place. If you haven’t, you need to leave me a message as your site (in Australia) is not compliant.
Fortunately, in my opinion my role is some what more stimulating as I get to work with the clients and problem solve for them as to how we can make their life easier.
There certainly is also boring aspects for me as well. There has been a distinct neglect of the database in one of my regions for a period and at the same time as learning the industry, I am having to make hundreds of phone calls each week to obtain the correct the information about my clients test requirements.
So as I draw toward the end of my 3rd week, I am starting to get my head around the procedures when I am told there will be a new person starting on Monday and I am to train them. Talk about dumping me in the deep end! It’s a great way to find out what you don’t know and force you to find the answers though.
Well it’s past my bed time, which has been another big change for me. Going to sleep before midnight and getting up by 6am.
I’ll let you know how I went as the blind leading the blind next week.
Tim
