An Unexpected Beginning - May 2017
Let's go back and explain how I received my introduction to the refinery life. My small town Michigan background had only ever know about factories. Upon moving to Texas, I discovered how lucrative it was to work in the refineries. When I was married, I had a job I loved and between the two of us, we made enough to get by. We had a Jeep Wrangler we adored and were extremely active in the local Jeep community. (Being a local celebrity is a blessedly weird experience.) I loved my Jeep family and all the wonderful times we shared.
After the divorce, the Jeep thing crumbled and I needed more income. I refused to file bankruptcy. As a escape, a friend of mine took me to an off-road trip called "Wheelers for Wounded" up at Hidden Falls Off Road Park in Marble Falls, TX. A man walks up to me and goes "You're Amanda Diamond, aren't you?" Instant mental eye roll and groan. I am 5 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME on a vacation to escape my life!! I don't want to be "AmAnDa DiAmOnD" today. My southern charm would never allow me to actually act out in that fashion so I smiled and said "I am." *Cringe.* L shook my hand saying "I've loved watching you in the Jeep group. I've been seeing you on the Facebook page and wanting to meet you. If you ever need anything, let me know." Oh, buddy. Wrong thing to say at this moment. For a reason I still can't fathom, I responded. "I'm actually going through a divorce and am looking for a new job. If you know of anything, please send it my way." He smiled and told me to send him my resume. We went on our merry ways. As I got home, I did as he asked and never heard back.
Two weeks later, I get a phone call. The kind woman on the line shocked me. After a few pleasantries she said "when do you start?" I'm HELLA confused. I have no idea what this company is, where they work, what the job entails, nothing. I tell her I'd love an interview and a job site visit. She assures me that's not necessary but if I insist, they'll make it happen. Imagine my surprise when I pull up to refinery land and need gate access. My head is spinning. What in the world is going on?! I don't remember applying for this. The facility and it's people are all wonderful. It's a refinery job and a $4 raise. How could I say no? The start of something new! Little did I know, it was a step into a career I never saw coming.
My first day I'm getting set up with my computer to learn how to do my job. They hired me with no experience at all in what I was going to do. I was bound and determined to make it work though. God gave me this opportunity. I. Will. Succeed. As I'm setting up my desk, L (from the off-road park) walks around the corner with a big ol' smile on his face. A chit-eatin' grin if you will. He struts over and says "Nice to see you here," shakes my hand and walks on to his office (right next door). I'm floored.
You may not know this but getting a refinery job is 200% about who you know. It isn't a job anyone can walk into by application alone. Trust me, I tried. After L walked away, I asked my coworker who that was. He was a Fixed Equipment Analyst for the refinery (high profile position). My manager later told me that he gave my name to them and told them to hire me. They, as the refinery, wanted me onsite and my company was to make it happen. It was an honor and a blessing. I'm honestly tearing up just thinking about it again.
I still check in with L and thank him for the opportunity he gave me. He is one of the people who changed my life. Having never met or worked with me, he saw potential in a woman who coordinated Jeep group events for fun. A woman who tried her best to entertain and help others. He put her on a path to every journey and success she has had since. Thank you will never be enough.
A small lesson. You never know when opportunity will knock or what the door will look like. Everything you do represents you in some form or fashion. Keep doing you. Keep being who you want to be. Look outside yourself for what other paths and avenues you can work towards. I started as an ophthalmic technician (nurse for an eye doctor). My document control and data entry skills are what allowed me to be successful in the refinery. My degrees in Biology and Psychology gave me critical thinking. A random stranger presented a chance. My hard work and dedication allowed me to thrive. It's not just about being in the right place at the right time. You also have to be the right person in that moment. If an opportunity came right now, would you be ready?
It’s a Jeep thing.