Who I Don’t Want To Be

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches – Proverbs 22:1

I have a number of proposed story titles derived from the many lessons learned during my employment with Southern California Edison.  It is difficult to prioritize the place and importance of each lesson into some kind of cohesive chronological order.  Each event or memory seems to hold its own significant impression apart from when it occurred, except for one that happened very early in my career, that left a deep formative impression. 

As I recall it, I was high atop Mandalay Generating Station Unit 2 boiler, standing along-side a welder noticing smoke rising from below us along the exterior of the boiler structure, sensing ensuing danger.

As already mentioned in previous “Lessons Learned,” I hired on with SCE early 1967 in an entry level position as a Utilityman at the Redondo Beach Generating Station.  At the time my resident home was in Ventura, presenting quite a daily commute getting to and from work.  Being a new hire, I hadn’t yet determined what I wanted to do for – affectionately called, “Uncle Ed.”  There were so many different opportunities available in this new world I had entered. There was time to make the right career path decision; but my immediate concern was to secure an assignment closer to home. That opportunity availed itself when I successfully bid on a “Helper” job posting at the Mandalay Generating Station located in Oxnard.  That job was one-step up from the Utilityman position; my first promotion with the added benefit of allowing me to be closer to home.

A Helper is exactly what its title implies, assisting maintenance journeymen with their many tasks, hauling around tool boxes and repair equipment to jobs sites, providing aid (help) when and where asked.  Edison had a wide variety of jobs one could train for, with in-house apprenticeship programs for welders, electricians, painters, machinists, storeroom clerks and so on.  In addition, there was Power Plant Operations training with its own unique apprenticeship venue.  Working with and being exposed to all these different crafts and opportunities was an all-new experience for me.  Getting to know and work with all those experienced and skilled journeymen was quite an adventure. 

It was all quite an exciting learning process. But one thing above all else, in all my years with Uncle Ed, the best part of the job was always the individuals I got to know and work with.  Some highly regarded and respected, and others, well… maybe not so much.  But regardless of who I worked with; the lessons learned along the way were priceless.

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor [respect earned] rather than silver and gold.” Prov. 22:1

So, going back to my opening comment, being high atop Mandalay Generating Station Unit 2 boiler, standing along-side a welder noticing smoke rising from below us… – that moment is still very vivid in my mind. 

I was helping a journeyman welder perform structural repair on the top of the boiler.  That in itself was sort of a scary proposition for a young and inexperienced new hire like me.  As the smoke was rising from the general vicinity over the side of the boiler where I had staged the welder’s gas and oxygen bottles, we heard an emergency announcement from the PA system directing station personnel to respond to a fire on the north side of boiler #2.  The welder and I froze for a moment, looking down to the scene below, seeing individuals looking up and running our way to render assistance….  except of one individual, who was not.  We watched that one individual running the opposite direction, back to his office in the administration building, not to be seen until the incident was over.  At the moment, I remember the welder and I turning and looking at each other thinking the same thoughts.  Well, at least I know what my thoughts were – I hope I’m never that guy.

Thinking back to that incident, I’m reminded of the many proverbs, parables, and character shaping lessons learned over time. This memory holds a lasting impression and example of a valuable lesson learned.  When considering one’s character, it is equally, if not more important to know what or who I don’t want to be in the process of becoming who it is I do want to be.  Character is built in the micro decisions we make every day, one direction or the other.  There is an axiom I often repeat to myself and others, “Every day you are becoming the person you are going to be forever.”

Again, the best part of my job with Uncle Ed was getting to know and work with highly regarded and respected individuals, and with others at the other end of the scale as well.  Valuable lessons can be learned from both.