Advice to New Graduates: Seriously Consider Elevators!

Last week my wife and I sat on some bleachers on a beautiful evening in Central Pennsylvania and watched my oldest son graduate high school along with hundreds of his classmates. As I patiently waited for two-hundred-ish names to be read off one by one, I had a bit of time to reflect on what I was thinking about when I graduated. It didn't take much reflection since I specifically remember having no clue what I wanted to do with my life after high school. When I look at my son, it is hard not to think "man, I wish I knew then, what I know now". I absolutely love working in the elevator industry. One of my biggest regrets is that I didn't get here sooner. This article is designed to highlight what is in my opinion, one of the best kept secrets in the job market, elevators!

My post-high school path was a whirlwind of indecision and contradiction as I switched from a Zoology major, to Conservation, to Jazz Guitar and eventually giving it all up to take a stint in the Marine Corps, then nearly 8 years as a police officer until finally landing in the elevator industry. Just like starting off as a Private in Marine Corps, each time I transitioned to a new career, I had to start all over from the bottom each time, essentially hitting the reset button. Having only been in the elevator industry a little over 3 years, I find that I have once again hit the reset button, which is not necessarily where one wants to be at 42 years old. While I do not mind paying my dues, I often wonder where I would be if I hadn't been bouncing around for the last 20 years. To be honest, I kind of fell into the industry after transitioning out of law enforcement. While I have used elevators and escalators hundreds of times in my life, I never stopped to think of industry as a career choice. If you are already in the industry, you know as well as I that there is a lot of family involved in the elevator industry. It is not uncommon for several generations of family to be working together in this trade. However, if you weren't raised around the elevator trade, you are probably like me and had never considered it as a career. Let me tell you, it is time to start considering!

If the civilization trends of the last 200 years have shown us anything, it is that cities are going to continue to grow exponentially, and they will grow UP! Up means that new buildings are going to need new elevators, and old buildings are going to need their elevators serviced. I can't think of a better definition of job security. The beauty of the elevator trade is that there an immediate job for you regardless of if you have a college degree. If you have recently graduated high school, you can go to your local elevator Union and apply to be on the probationary list. Elevator Mechanic Apprentices start out with amazing pay, and after one year of problem free employment, you can become part of the Union. After four years of apprenticeship, training, and testing, you can become an Elevator Mechanic which is the highest paid trade in the construction industry. It would be very difficult if not impossible to find better pay and benefits within the construction industry. The North America CEO of my company started as an apprentice and worked his way to the top. There is no reason why that cannot be you!

If college is on your to do list, the elevator industry will be eagerly waiting for you when you graduate. Newly hired sales reps in the elevator industry make very competitive base salaries, and have incredible commission structures compared to other sales jobs. Management positions are rewarded with very competitive base salaries and an excellent bonus structure. I haven't even started on the perks such as company-provided vehicles, allowances, travel opportunities, relocation expenses, tuition reimbursement and more. There are also hundreds of support positions such as marketing, engineering, human resources, safety, manufacturing, and much more. It takes an army to support our hard working elevator Mechanics and Apprentices.

If have just graduated high or college, or know someone that has, please consider contacting an elevator company or sharing this article. Elevator company recruiters are chomping at the bit to speak with candidates, and in this competitive market, there has never been a better time to have companies fight over you. Deciding to start a career in the elevator industry will open up a world of potential for a rewarding career, will allow you flexibility to grow and move within a company (career and geographically), and will create networking opportunities throughout the construction and manufacturing industry. Take some advice from someone who has done plenty of bouncing around, skip the bouncing and contact an elevator company today!