Dracula Reeves

I was a construction worker in southern California for almost 20 years. Meanwhile, I worked as an editor of sprinklers with a local union based in Whittier. I designed, installed and repaired sprinklers in homes, restaurants, skyscrapers, and warehouses throughout the region of Los Angeles.

At the time, money has been fantastic. But money has come with its own price, and I quickly realized there were two positive and negative aspects of working as a construction worker. If you or someone you know who are considering a career in the construction industry, be sure you know what you're getting!

The Good: As a construction worker, you will get paid very well. This is especially true if you join a local union and a graduate of their apprenticeship program. Union workers are always construction workers paid up when compared directly with their non-unionized.

Another is your PERQ'll get off work relatively early compared to traditional career in public practice. You can expect to be on the highway to return home around 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. For residents of Los Angeles, it's perfect because you can avoid the traffic at night and you can go home quickly, wherever you live in Southern California.

Another advantage (and this depends on your personal style) is that you do not have to wear a suit and tie to work. You'll get dirty every day, you'll need to wear clothing and sturdy boots, and there is no need to freeze and elegant hairstyles, a Dodgers baseball cap is quite acceptable daily week!

The Bad: It's true, you do not leave her outstanding work in early every day as a construction worker. On the other hand, it means you still get up earlier every day, anywhere three thirty-5: 30.

After the Northridge earthquake destroyed most of the Northridge Mall in 1994, I was assigned as Director General for the installation of fire protection. My day began at 3:15 am and I come home around 7:00 pm each day. I followed this schedule for nine consecutive months until the center was finally reopened to the public.

The Ugly: The construction sites are dangerous. I personally witnessed the intensification of men through an invisible hole in a roof and falling twenty feet to a concrete slab below. I saw the men get their fingers caught in machinery and almost ripped off. I sliced open my own skin dozens of times. I had to take me to the emergency room twice.

My worst accident was a torn shoulder that landed me in a hospital room and eventually the operating room. The blood is common on construction sites, especially large when there are several hundreds of working men. After my shoulder surgery, I knew I did not want to work in the construction industry. I thought if I worked in industry for 30 or 40 years I could retire with a pension great but I would probably need a wheelchair to get around, and it was not for me.

Great: There are aspects of construction that are absolutely fantastic. What I liked most was to see new buildings and meet new people every day of the week.

I worked in all major film studios, and was able to work on some major film sets, such as Dracula and Hook. I also learned to shake hands with some of the most notable celebrities in Hollywood: Daryl Hannah, Billy Crystal, Keanu Reeves, and even Tom Cruise. I brushed shoulders with many others.

I also worked extensively in all major theme parks around Los Angeles: Six Flags, Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm and Universal Studios. It's really fun to see the side of working in the entertainment industry!

As you can see, there are many advantages t.