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Operator
Growing up, I had a backhoe in my backyard, as my grandfather was an owner-operator.
As soon as I could reach the pedals, I was running the machine and helping with yard work.
Grandpa would always say, "Aaron, fetch your backhoe," prompting me to dash into the backyard, start the machine, retract the outriggers, and maneuver the boom and dipper. Then, I'd steer the backhoe through the rear gate to help collect tree trimmings and level the yard.
My love for machines goes as far back as I can remember. The moment I heard the backhoe starting at 6:00 AM, I'd be outside, eager to help with anything involving the machine.
Now, I work for Blevins Earthwork, a small excavation company in Arizona owned by a family friend of my grandpa's. I operate any machinery my boss throws at me.
I love my job so much that it doesn't feel like work. I'm paid to do what I'm passionate about and am fortunate enough to get to collaborate with incredible people who generously share their knowledge with me.
In regard to attracting the next generation into the industry, we need to reframe it from being viewed as a last resort job to a legitimate career choice for anyone.
We have to focus on providing guidance and proper mentorship rather than criticizing those who need direction and have less experience.
At the same time, it's important to allow people to make mistakes and create teachable moments for all.
The immediate response to an error shouldn't involve yelling and taking over the task; instead, we should provide support and understanding.
It is a long established fact that a reader will be distracted by the readable content of a page when looking at its layout. The point of using Lorem Ipsum is that it has a more-or-less normal distribution of letters, as opposed to using 'Content here, content here', making it look like readable English.
