I applied to a small facility for BankOne's network here in Columbus, right across the street from where I was working as a rent-a-cop, at Huntington Center. The following day I was called in for an interview. There were three guys running the whole 24/7 show and they were looking for a backup. After about two months (and applying other places), they told me the home office decided they really didn't need a fourth, but the lead tech suggested I try a place called CompuServe.

Never heard of the place -- but then I'd been overseas so much my own hometown was new to me. Anyway, I dropped my résumé there as well for a day-shift position. There were two slots open for the network control center. Both were filled within a few weeks of each other, but the lead tech I interviewed with told me there was an opening for C-Shift, 10 PM to 7 AM.

What the heck, I was the night guy in the Army, and I was pulling double-shifts as a security supervisor at Ross Labs now. I showed up for my 1-AM interview and the supervisor was standing at the door waiting. he told me I passed half the interview just by showing up.

And the rest is history -- mostly very enjoyable.

I have people telling me how stressful the work is, both up in the control center, as well as in my department. Of course when you actually know what you're doing, the stress-factor drops way low.

Cheers, Frank,
Dan