Graduating In May 2015 Cancel The title field is required!

1. Brotherton Maxwell D

   
   3/11/2015 4:03 PM

   Thank you for taking some time to read a post from a greenhorn in the industry. I will be completing my Bachelors degree in Environmental Horticulture emphasis in Turf-grass Management this May and was wondering if the GCSAA community could give me some feedback regarding a job opportunity. I will be returning to a local golf course that I have been working at for 3 summers now and was just planning on becoming a full-time employee for them. More recently, the irrigation technician position has become available and my question for you all is what I could be expecting with a position like that. What skills will I need mastered? How can I become a leg up from my competitors to gain this step in my career? My eyes are on becoming a superintendent and this seems to be a logical step. Any advice helps and I thank you again for your knowledge and feedback.

   
   
   
   
2. Richard Lavine

   

   3 posts
   
   3/11/2015 4:03 PM

   Max,
   This sounds like a good start. Learn all you can, not just about irrigation, but the entire operation. Hopefully your sup't will take you on as a project and mentor you along where you would feel comfortable as an assistant in a few years. Don't be afraid to get dirty, ask lots of questions, and volunteer to help in all aspects of course operation.
   I was very fortunate to be able to work p/t on the golf course throughout my college days. I learned the 'why's' throughout my education, and the 'how to's' during my golf course work. The education and work experience really complemented one another. Upon graduation, I was a superintendent very soon thereafter while many of my peers were taking jobs as park rangers or assistant supt's.
   Good Luck

   
   
   
   
3. Stephen Johnson

   

   0 posts
   
   3/11/2015 4:03 PM

   Congratulations on your graduation.
   Where are you located and from what school are you getting a degree?
   As anyone will tell you the industry is slow, very slow these days, but I imagine a lot of industries are struggling in this economy.
   Do you want to stay in the geographic location you are in now, or would venturing into other climates be interesting?
   Certainly learning irrigation will be a plus for you but don't limit yourself to how far your degree can reach.
   Hard work and good effort will show a potential employer what you are worth, and be sure to build a network of professional peers. Its not always what you know, but who you know, is more than just a saying.

   
   
   
   
4. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   3/11/2015 8:03 PM

   With as many assistant jobs open right now, why would you settle for an irrigation tech position? Not knocking it if that's what you feel comfortable with right now, but there are a lot of good 2nd assistant jobs at some pretty nice places that will provide you with the real world training you lack. Whatever you decide, just remember you aren't a member of the crew anymore. Act like you are management and they will start treating you like it.

   
   
   
   
5. Kevin Bracken

   

   0 posts
   
   3/11/2015 9:03 PM

   I agree 100% Andy Jorgensen.
   
   No need to pigeon hole yourself into an irrigation tech job if you can get a 2nd Assistant job. Don't be afraid to aim higher. Of course learning irrigation is important, but you will learn those skills as a 2nd Asst. Not sure where you are located but there are plenty of openings in my area (Massachusetts) for Assistants.

   
   
   
   
6. Stephen Okula

   

   3 posts
   
   3/12/2015 1:03 AM

   I don't see irrigation tech as a "pigeon-hole" - not with a degree to back it up - and it's an ideal career path for you, an essential foundation for successful advancement. You won't necessarily learn all about irrigation in an assistant's position, and, by doing it now, when you become a GCS you'll have the confidence to handle any irrigation issues yourself.
   
   When I'm looking for an assistant, I value hands-on irrigation competence more than supervisory experience. It's disappointing to have an assistant that has no idea what to do about a leaks or problems in the pumps and controls, and it's terrifying to be in that position as a GCS.

   
   
   
   
7. Andrew Cross

   

   5 posts
   
   3/12/2015 6:03 AM

   Congrats! Not sure what area of the country you are in now, but the best advice I can give you is to go somewhere else. I've only worked in the Midwest (Michigan and Illinois), that is my only regret. Irrigation tech is a good place to start, 2nd assistant is also a good place to start. No matter where you end up make it known to your boss (hopefully new mentor) that you want to learn x, y, z. I know at Oakland Hills the assistants are in a rotation in being irrigation tech for a week. When I started out of school as a 2nd Asst I made it known that I wanted to learn irrigation and as a result I quickly became the go to guy for all things irrigation.
   
   2nd piece of advice from my mentor, "You get back what you put out." Referring to attitude, this applies to life as a whole not just work.

   
   
   
   
8. Kenneth Ingram

   

   18 posts
   
   3/12/2015 7:03 AM

   Andy makes a great point. There are 4 times the number of Assistant's jobs in the Mid-Atlantic than we have graduates here at UMD. This is a list from a weekly chapter mailing and I know of several others that are not advertised. Kenneth Ingram, UMD.
   
   Assistant GCS, Country Club of Maryland
   
   Equipment Manager / Technician, Lake Presidential Golf Club
   
   2nd Assistant, Belle Haven CC, Alexandria, VA
   
   USGA Green Section Agronomist, Western Region
   
   2nd Assistant, River Bend Club, Great Falls, VA
   
   Equipment Technician, The Golf Club at South River
   
   Assistant GCS, The Golf Club at South River
   
   Assistant GCS, Hampshire Greens Golf Club
   
   Assistant GCS, Lake Presidential Golf Club
   
   Assistant GCS, Lexington G&CC
   
   Assistant GCS, CC of Fairfax
   
   Assistant GCS Sparrows Point
   
   Superintendent, Potomac Ridge Golf Club
   
   Production Operator, Summit Hall Turf Farm
   
   Assistant GCS Links at Challedon
   
   Assistant GCS Manor Country Club
   
   Assistant-in-Training Hermitage Country Club
   
   2nd Assistant GCS Belmont Country Club
   
   Assistant GCS Little Bennett Golf Course
   
   36 Hole Assistant GCS The Woodlands and Diamond Ridge Golf Courses
   
   Assistant GCS Dominion Valley Country Club

   
   
   
   
9. Daniel Stover

   

   0 posts
   
   3/12/2015 8:03 AM

   Max,
   
   If you are looking for a more comprehensive position we currently are hiring for an AIT starting at $15/hour here at Innis Arden in Old Greenwich CT. The position is designed to get you ready to become an assistant superintendent and superintendent down the road. You will gain all the necessary irrigation experience you could ask for, agronomic experience, managerial experience and construction experience as we are rebuilding our greens this fall.
   
   If you are interested feel free to pm me or email me @ dcstover1@gmail.com.

   
   
   
   
10. Steven Scott

    

    0 posts
    
    3/12/2015 8:03 AM

    The superintendent of the club where I did my first internship gave me this advice, "Get to know people, not just other assistants and superintendents but vendors, because a vendor sees every course in an area and knows what kind of work the superintendent and his staff are doing, and when someone is looking to fill a position they might just ask that guy". What he told me back then has a lot of merit, sales reps may not be actively asking us about our staff, but they are looking at how things are done on the course and comparing it in their heads.
    
    I agree with Andy, there are lots of courses looking to hire 2nd Assistants and AITs that would love to have someone with some irrigation experience. Superintendents are the jack of all trades so you should never set yourself up to learn just one aspect of this job.

    
    
    
    
11. James Smith

    

    112 posts
    
    3/14/2015 6:03 AM

    Which way to go?
    
    If your ultimate goal is to become a Super then try to get on as an assistant first. Taking an irrigation tech job will allow you to learn more about one of the most important aspects of the position which can be very useful down the road. As a Superintendent you will need to know what runs the system and how it does it. But it will keep you away from the rest of the things needed to be learned to run a golf course. Ideally you would get an assistants position where they are also responsible for the irrigation system.
    
    The AIT program sounds great and if at all possible you should try that route. Just remember that becoming a superintendent takes a lot of training and time. some people train faster then others, or listen better. A Superintendent relies upon his assistants and see which ones are faster learners but I think the most important aspect is the trust involved between the two. If you stand out as the one person he can trust more then the others he will move you up faster. You gain trust by doing what is needed, no matter what time, day or task. some may call it dedication. you also gain trust by being completely honest, so do not try to get one over on your superintendent, if you need a day off for personal business make sure you give advance notice and be honest about it, do not just call in for the day. Many employees do not understand that as Superintendents we are basically on call 24-7 and they are long gone from work while we may have meetings to attend.
    
    good luck and remember that getting a degree is only that! you do not impress a superintendent with the degree you do it through your work and actions. You can always learn more and you may be surprised at who you can learn it from.

    
    
    
    
12. Kevin Malloy

    

    0 posts
    
    3/14/2015 8:03 AM

    Max,
    I graduated in '09 so a semi-recent graduate and my advice is to find the best opportunity for your career growth. Meaning, don't just stick to your comfort zone! There are a lot of good opportunities nationwide at a variety of clubs, from high end private to low end courses. Take an opportunity that forces you to learn. Also, one great piece of advice the superintendent I did my internship under gave me was: "Remember, this is your career. When you interview for a job, you need to be interviewing the superintendent to make sure they are going to be helping you develop." This is important because all superintendents have different views on assistants, you want to work for one who is going to help to grow your career as long as you are doing your part.

    
    
    
    
13. Wahlin Scott B

    
    3/14/2015 11:03 AM

    I did not read all of this, but picking the right superintendent for your apprenticeship is the key I think. It sure worked for me.