One of the latest additions to our team is Tom Hardesty, shipping and receiving clerk. Tom joins the team after 35 years as a sports reporter and assistant sports editor. He spoke with us about the challenges of starting a new job in a different industry, and the rewards of working for a company like Olsträd Engineering.
“I had no background in engineering before I came here; I studied journalism and worked as a reporter, so this was a little bit of a culture shock. It’s fast paced, but you have to be accurate as well as efficient. Mistakes are costly, and frustrate customers, so everything needs to be right the first time. Things have to be packed a certain way, too, in order to ensure safe deliveries. This is the most challenging training process I’ve ever been through, and I used to work in veterinary medicine. And the training is still ongoing, too!”
On the benefits of working for Olsträd–
“The people here are all knowledgeable and talented, so they expect the best. But if you’re unsure in a situation, they’re always happy to help. My knowledge about engineering and combustion is lightyears beyond what it was just a few months ago. I knew next to nothing about this stuff before I started but I’m getting educated at a ground level. I like to learn about the industry, and at Olsträd, I’m learning all the time.
(Tom Hardesty, pictured)