Pros
- Good Pay (based on work experience/college degree) - Training - Career Opportunities - Tools and Truck Provided - Plenty of work - Bargained Position (union) Good Pay: Of all the telecommunications companies I've interviewed/worked for, I would highly recommend AT&T. I've interviewed with a few other companies and AT&T is one of the few that will pay more due to having a technical degree and previous employment experience (even customer service jobs are considered work experience). I worked in California, and Sundays were paid time and a half. Aside from that, the work is pretty stable considering there will be weeks where you can be expected to work up to 55-60 hours a week. Training: AT&T doesn't simply throw you out in the field. You go through about 9 weeks of training including a couple of ride along weeks to help you understand and learn the job. This is helpful for those looking to get into the telecom business with little to no experience. Career Opportunities: For the most part, you must be in your position for 30 months before you can transfer or take on another position. With that being said, I have experienced first hand where a technician was promoted to a manager only after being with the company for one year. AT&T also has an internal site where they list job postings for current employees (you will not see these on att.jobs). Another advantage: AT&T offers classes to increase your education. At my yard, they were going to bring in instructors from a college to teach us a variety of classes that we chose including CCNA, wireless, electronics, and other classes. You must have been with the company for one year to participate in the classes. I quit due to relocation before the classes started. Tools and Truck: I believe AT&T is the only company that uses in-house employees. Other than maybe work boots, you do not need any tools or equipment that you need to purchase on your own. In fact, they actually advise against using your own personal tools. In California, they provided work boots; I'm not sure if that's everywhere. Plenty of Work: With the exception of union strikes, you do not have to be worried about whether or not you will have work next week or the next month. There's plenty of opportunity for overtime, although this could be a disadvantage to some of you. See my "Cons" later. Bargained Employees (Union): AT&T provides some of the best pay for their technicians compared to other telecom companies. What's the reason? Bargained employees. I've been through interviews for some of AT&T's competitors and found that other companies don't pay as well. The reason: they don't use unionized employees. Many other companies use in house employees and contractors which allows a negative customer experience of other providers' customers and also allows them to pay their employees less.
Cons
- Hiring Process - Working Conditions - Potential Strikes - Learn on your own (outside of training, in the field) - Metrics (performance standards) - Work Life Balance Hiring Process: If you haven't applied already, you can expect a long process to start. This will include taking a skills assessment test. Upon a passing score, you will be invited to a "Realistic Job Preview" which will also include your 1:1 interview. Besides a drug screen, they do a physical test which will include taking your blood pressure, eyesight, weight, and see if you can lift 75-80 lbs. They start training classes at certain parts of the year. Working Conditions: You're working in the cold, heat, sun, rain, or snow. Aside from that, you will be working in crawl spaces and attics. If you absolutely can't stand bugs, bees, wasps, or anything like that, then this job is not for you. After working for 1.5 years on this position, I've only had one spider on me (no bites or stings). You will be moving around a lot including carrying a lot of equipment. Potential Strikes: This job is a bargained job (union). Since it is union, there are many advantages, but also a disadvantage. One of these is the potential strikes. I've heard stories where some training classes had started and then on the second week of training, they weren't allowed to go because they were officially on strike. Learn on your own: The major thing I want to point out here is that you will encounter some very weird equipment issues on the job where you more than likely won't get much support from coworkers or supervisors. The most help you might get is over the phone explaining, but other than that, you will have to figure it out on your own. I've run into many stressful situations because of it, but you must realize that you need to push on; after you figure the issue out, you will know about it if it comes up. Metrics: Realistically, most jobs nowadays have some type of metric standard. This job isn't exempt. You will be expected to meet metrics that you can and can't control. I haven't seen anyone get fired for not meeting their metrics, but you can be suspended. Keep in mind, you do have union representation. Work/Life Balance: One of the good things about the job is there is plenty of hours you can work. The bad thing is that sometimes they will force a mandatory overtime schedule up to 60 hours a week. Our location went on one for over 6 months. I made a lot of money, but you can get exhausted.
