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Jacquelyn Jensen, a fifth grader at Sadie Halstead Middle School, interviewed her dad, Michael Jensen, 47, of Newport, about his career in construction.
1. How long have you been in construction?
30+ years
2. What got you into construction?
I got into construction after the military. I had to do something to make a good living, and I had to be around people who are similar to me. I also like to build things.
3. How many companies did you work for?
I am in a referral union. I have worked for so many companies I can’t count. Probably 30-40. I am what you would call Hall Trash. I don’t just keep myself tied to one company. I have six companies who I work for on a regular basis. When the job I’m on starts getting close to coming to an end there is usually a handful of contractors calling me to try to get me to go with them. That is the part that stresses a lot of people out. However, that is my favorite part. It gives me negotiation power, so I don’t have to just take any job.
4. What company is your favorite company to work for?
There are a couple companies who I love so much. I never say “no,” but let’s get back to the question and let’s go to the beginning. The best company ever was the U. S. Navy. Then after the Navy was a small company called Eagle Steel Erectors down in Tempe, Arizona. The owner’s name was Ron Gosler. He paid for all my credential for welding, MSHA, OSHA, etc., and treated me like gold. I actually felt bad for taking all those credentials to the Boil Managers and quitting Eagle Steel, but I talked to Ron and told him I needed a career, and he understood.
Now in the Boilermakers, my favorite company is J.H. Kelly, followed by T-Bailey, and Haskell. I work for Haskell right now and they are slowly creeping to the top.
5. Do you have any regrets about construction?
I have no regrets about construction, (Boilermaking). The only regret I have about my career is not staying in the Navy. Then being loyal to some of the companies when I was younger. When it comes to any type of construction, never work for that company thinking that is going to be the last company you’re ever going to work for. I guess that goes for any career. All that must happen is a change in power within the company, then the best company is all the sudden the worst company. Go to work and do your best with a good attitude and an open mind. Make yourself valuable. Make work environment nice, make it a place you look forward to going to the next day. Be friends with your co-workers, all the way up to the owner of the company if that’s where it goes to. Don’t act different because your boss is around. Tell your boss the same jokes and treat bosses the same as co-workers. We are all humans and if you have to act different because bosses and owner and whatever are around trying to make yourself “look good” when they’re around guess what, you’re probably doing that because you’re not good at your job. If the owner comes around, they best be really cool. They better come with appreciation, and lunch, donuts, hat, shirts, etc. Never settle for 2nd best when it comes to work.
