RALLY 'ROUND MEGHAN KELLIHER! (Dan H.)

Alan R. Mercurio_3

What a memory. and after all the folks you met! I'm honored bless you Meghan. :)

Your friend in the industry,<BR>Alan R. Mercurio<BR><BR><a href="http://oiltechtalk.com/discuss/index.php?sid=63c67a82829fdbdda388591b32998104">www.oiltechtalk.com</a><BR><BR>

DanHolohan

I met Meghan Kelliher

at the NAOHSM convention. She was one of our Dave Nelsen Scholarship winners. We talked several times over the course of the convention and I also got to meet Meghan's mom.

Meghan is an impressive young woman, looking to work in what many consider strictly a man's profession (which I think is bunk). I'm always hearing about how difficult it is to find good people. I hope someone in the Central-Massachusetts area takes the time to consider Meghan.

I've attached what she sent me. Anyone who can win the Dave Nelsen Scholarship impresses me. Meghan's letter impressed me even more.

Thanks.

dconnors

opportunities

We are always looking for good people.

DanHolohan

Meghan

is going through a lot of interviews right now and I think she'll have a job soon. She's keeping me informed and it's been quite a story. Meghan has such great spirit. We need more people like this in our industry, both male and female.

How about some words of encouragement for Meghan, lads? Will the Wallies adopt a young woman trying to make it as a technician? She needs a cheering section right now.

gerry gill

don't take NO for an answer..

no-one would give me a plumbing job cause my dad wasn't a plumber..the pipefitter local actually had two bruiser's throw me out the front door and tell me not to come back cause my dad wasn't one..so i joined the navy and learned plumbing there..out of 10 years i spent two years at a sub base for shore duty and worked in a shipfitter shop..the shop has the nickname ''heavy metal'' for a reason..bottom line, the woman shipfitters were just as good or better than the men..and that was a really physical job..just dont take ''no'' for an answer..you CAN DO this.

Mitch_4

hang in there M

Its nnot your peers that will be your biggest obstacle..its short sighted customers. I have had the priveledge of working with 3 women techs,and they were good. But some customers wouldn't even let them in the door...wanted men to fix things..

When that happened, the guys in the shop would go, and tell the customer gonna have to call in the expert, and get the original lady tech in...even if we knew the problem..it helped spread the word that the ladie know how to.

Its a great trade, and I wish you all the sucess you want.

Mitch

BillW@honeywell

Rosie the Riveter...

During WW2, ships, planes, tanks, trucks were all largely built by women! Then they had to go home & take care of the house & kids because Dad was fighting in some God-forsaken corner of Europe or the Pacific. No reason at all why a woman can't suceed in the trades. Good luck, and keep trying. Babe Ruth struck out more often than he hit home runs, don't get discouraged!

DanHolohan

C'mon, lads

can we get some more support for this new member of our industry?

Mad Dog_2

Ok Meg........

You've got some good people behind you that are pulling for you. All I can give you is the advice my old man gave me when I started working around the horses at age 9: Always be early to work even though your not being paid yet. You will quickly earn the respect of the boss and will be privy to "inside" information and industry info. Early morning, before ethe crew comes in is the best time to pick the bosses or foreman's brains. Always take the initiative, don't wait to be asked. Work harder than everyone else, but do it quietly, so as not to annoy the other employees too much. Alway carry a note pad and at breaks and after work, write down everything you learned. As you know, there are not too many women in the trade, so be on guard for some prejudice and rudeness. Ignore it and don't give them one thing they can say to justify. Always work safely. Period! Last, welcome to a great trade, we are here to help. You'll do fine. Mad Dog

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Eugene Silberstein 3

As an educator...

As an educator in the HVAC/R industry, I have come across thousands of individuals who had the desire to become a field technician. As with any other course of study, the attrition rate in the HVAC/R programs I have taught is typically, for the most part, high.

I have noticed one thing, however. This is that even though the number of females that have enrolled in formal training programs is small, the completion rate is very, very high. I have also noticed that the quality of the work performed by female graduates, as a whole, is very high as well.

There was this one student who comes to mind. I was teaching advanced refrigeration at a trade school in Manhattan and one of my students was a very eager woman who had just arrived a short time ago from the Ivory Coast in Africa. I was taking my class downstairs on a no-cooling call and I instructed the students to open up the service panels on the unit so we could evaluate the system. This student, I will call her Mary, was the first to grab the toolbox and dive into the system (not literally). While the other students in the class watched on, Mary proceeded to troubleshoot the system, properly determine the cause for system failure and get the system back into good operating order.

I number of years later, I ran into Mary in Manhattan. She enthusiastically stopped me in the street, mentioning me by name. I immediately remembered her and inquired about what she was doing with her time. She mentioned that she was now working at a pharmaceutical company. I was a bit taken aback, but then ventured to inquire about what she was doing at the drug company. Half expecting to hear that she was working on the assembly line or performing some other non-related HVAC/R task, I was pleased (okay, ecstactic) to find that she was on the engineering crew that maintained and repaired the refrigeration systems that put the coating on the pills. These machine coat over 1,000,000 pills a day and, in the event that these machines go down, production stops.

I speak to Mary every so often and, to this day, am proud to have had her as one of my students.

I presently have two other female students in the HVAC/R program at Suffolk County Community College. One of these students has just completed her first year of studies, while the other is nearing graduation. Dawn Marie, the young lady who is nearing the completion of her studies will, in a short time, become a major force in the industry. She is already working in the field for a Nassau County contractor where she started out doing installations, but is now running solo service calls. It is indeed an honor to have her in the SCCC program.

DanHolohan

I'd also love to hear

from the women in the industry.

Meghan Kelliher

Thank you to my supporters.

I would like to thank everyone who is supporting me. I especially would like to thank Dan who has been extremely helpful. (THANK YOU DAN!!) I have finally been offered a job! The owner of the company said that he would like to take a chance. I was quite surprised considering all of the negativity i have been receiveing.
One of my education directors called another "prospective job" to find how my interview went (considering they do interview training, I think he was just being nosey) The place had asked " Has she been offered another job?" He said yes she has but she has been holding out on accepting it because you are her first choice. They told him to inform me to hold out until monday and they will have an answer.
I am so thrilled to finally be offered a job after all of the complications i have had. This has a been a fun path to travel regardless of the tears that i have shed. Everything is a learning experience and I have learned that not every job is a job you need to be offered but to just look at is as a "practice interview" for the correct job!!
Thank you to everyone again- Your support has meant a lot to me.

DanHolohan

As Noel Kelly might say,

"Welcome to the guild." Do us proud, Meghan.

Mad Dog_2

Until you settle in to the right situation it could be rough

I've been in your place before, when some people automatically don't like you because of your last name, Nationality, or skin pigment., or just because. Run a tight personal ship and you will make beleivers out of ALL! You're on the right track. Mad Dog

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Unknown

Excellent to hear Meghan

One aspect of the heating industry that is a virtually untapped resource is women in the trade . I hope you thrive at your new company . Be sure to invest in a digital camera and take pics of your work . It'll be a great way to showcase what you do ( hopefully right here ) , and also to show prospective employers if things don't go as expected with your 1st company . Have fun in your new career Meghan .

Jim Bennett

Remember

The Wall. Stop in here often with questions or comments. A lot of learning goes on here.

Best of Luck,

Jim

tommyoil

Meg

It sounds to me like you are a hard working, intelligent, peson with nothing short of a load of potential. The only "chance" anyone would be taking is by NOT hiring you. Try not to look at it as them "taking a chance". You worked hard to get to where you are. They are hiring you based on your ability and the things you have learned up to this point. Take that and run with it. You certainly seem to have the drive to stay on top of your game. It would be a pleasure to work with someone like yourself. Someone willing to learn, not just waiting for the paycheck. Good luck, and keep up the great work. And congrats on the Dave Nelsen award. You earned it! We'll all be working for you one day.

hot_rod

Hi Meghan, from Ellen

Hi Meghan,

Wow...you are so SKILLED already! Imagine where you will be in a few years. I will scour my Rolodex for friends in MA and see if I can introduce you to a few.

And CALL ME at 417.753.1111 to talk about being a woman in a man's world!

Love, peace,$$$,

Ellen Rohr - bestest pal of the Holohans and columnist for P&M magazine

Joe Kennard

WOW, Jump at it

What a great offer, I would suggest you make that call. Ellen is GREAT, and she knows what your going to be dealing with in this business, having worked at almost every level and risen to the TOP of it.
Good luck !!!, MAKE THE CALL !!!

leo g_13

Funny thing is Meg

is that I have been waiting to hire a woman for years now (live in Vancouver). I am starting to see a lot of woman in the painting trade, a couple of sparky's, even saw a gal running an excavater. But none in the plumbing trades YET! (Heard a romour a few years ago about an all girl company that did finishing only, but never met a one)

Where I see most woman, and a lot of them as owners or foremen, is in the landscaping trade. I wouldn't be surprised if over 50% of the people in that trade are woman.

SO what am I trying to say? Good on ya! And if you ever move to the left coast, let us know, for I wouldn't hesitate to hire you!

Have fun Meg,

Leo G


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DanHolohan

Meg found a job.

Plimpton & Hills, a noble, fine, and very old company. I'm proud of her.

gerry gill

cool,

is she gonna keep us posted on her progress?

DanHolohan

I hope so.

Gene_3

Good luck Meg

I teach HVACR, and so far all guys,{I'm preparing for the female student that will eventually come, well, not for her, but for keeping the guys in line}. It's great to hear someone so motivated, keep the spirit. It's not that you can't do it, it's that for some reason there are not alot of women in this trade. There is always some sort of intiation period at any company, they will feel you out, you feel them out, here's the plus, in our industry the teach's have the upper hand, don't ever forget that, any of you, if you don't like it where you are, go, there are plenty of jobs for us to choose from and from what I see here, Meghan already has PLENTY!!!!!!!!!!!! When you find a place that fits and feels right, stay, you've found a home.

Best of Luck Meghan

Meghan Kelliher

My New Job!

Well- I start July 5th and I am so excited- I will keep you all posted. Now for Gene/Geno- A female student is definately something you need to be prepared for. I promise it will be hard!! I have made it extremely difficult on my teachers. Normally men stay out of eachother's way- If a man is spoken down to it is his obligation to take care of the matter at hand. Well all of the men I go to school with are my brother's just as I am their Sister. If i sense that there is a problem of any sort I am the first one to be in the middle!! I make sure all of the new students don't feel as if they aren't welcomed because they are. I make sure that everything is fair and equal and any problem resolved. I created quite a stir when I started, they didn't think id make it but i did!! I created such a ruckus that I am told it will be quiet without me and I will be missed a lot. Please understand that for me I was the first for a lot and I was just beginning to streatch my legs. I plan on continueing to create a ruckus for the Hvac/R industry- I WILL make this an "Equal opportunity industry!" Please enjoy her as I am sure she will be special and taken under everyone's wings as I have been.

D Logan Ireland Oil Co Inc

Match made in heaven

Imagine Meghan Kelliher working for Ireland Oil Co. It is marketing magic.

hot_rod

Thanks, Dan, Joe, Meghan...

Hi Team Heating Help,

I met Miss Meghan on the phone and now we are new, best friends! Love to Dan through whom all roads travel and people meet. Thanks to Joe for your kind words. And all the best to our shining star, Meghan!

xoxo$$,

Ellen

DanHolohan

Thanks

for always helping to inspire, Ellen.

Alan R. Mercurio_3

Meghan, First let me say congratulations on landing a job so quickly. Of course I'm not surprised anyone that would not hire you would have to be crazy.

Meghan you may not remember me but I had the pleasure and privilege of meeting both you and your Mom at the NAOHSM Convention. Thank you for taking time to say hello and talk with me for a little bit.

There are people who go through life doing there best to accept changes the world brings them to and then there are those who go through life making the changes in our world.

I could see it in your eyes. you are one of those who will make great changes in this world. If I can ever be of any help to you I will always do my best. Please don't ever hesitate to call or e-mail me, Meghan. God bless you and good luck with your successful future ahead of you.


Your friend in the industry,
Alan R. Mercurio

www.oiltechtalk.com

Dave Yates (PAH)

spark plug

That's my mental image of Ellen!

In a man's world? Only if the women in our lives let us think that's true(G).

Best of luck Meghan, you'll be great!

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Meghan Kelliher

hi everyone

Well let me say thanks again to everyone. I am haveing a great time reading everything that has been written. Now, Alan I remember you perfectly--"Oil tech talk" if im not mistaken--I alway's remember a face.Well most of the time but yes i remember you. I think I remember just about everyone that I talked to at the convention... I had such a fantastic time. Thank you for the kind words and inspiration. Needless to say i still have chocolate left and im absolutely sick of it.. No more chocolate for me! Thanks again to everyone.

Meghan Kelliher

Alan

Alan- Do not be shocked-- I remember you because of what you said.. If I ever needed anything to call you--I have your card right next to Dans in my wallet. I may have met a lot of people but I only remembered the people that had an inpact on me. That said something caring and helpful.. Please realize you are very special and anyone who doesn't remember you/doesn't know you doesn't know or doesn't want to know the best--Stay Cool Alan