By Jon Anderson

Almost everyone I have met with over the past few years say the same thing, “We are really busy, but it sure beats the alternative.” Those of us that have been in the telecom industry for more than 15 years have seen this before. The mid-to-late nineties were a crazy time in our industry too. We also survived the lean times shortly after the telecom bust in the early 2000s.

I sometimes wonder, if not for some small decisions early in life, what I would be doing for a living. Telecom has been my career since I was 19, 1978 seems like a lifetime ago. If it wasn’t for my girl friend in college saying “You should apply at the phone company”, who knows what I would be doing? I’ll bet many of you have a similar story. How did you come to work in telecom?

When I see the unemployment numbers come out every month, I count my blessings. I try everyday not to take for granted the good fortunes that come from working in an industry with such great people and opportunities.

Too busy or too slow, we all would agree which is better, especially in the economic times we are in right now.

Luck, fate, or blessing? I believe the latter. Now get to work!