SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/517437
34 SportsTurf | June 2015 www.sportsturfonline.com FACILITY & OPERATIONS from "here to there." They got to fly back while mom and the dog drove across country. I sent pictures along the way and they followed me via a map. Then they had to help unload things and set their rooms up. Just keeping them involved I think helped a lot. I spent time asking myself what I really wanted and why I was searching. In the job changes that I have made I've learned that you leave one set of problems and inherit another set. The "grass isn't always greener" but the view maybe a little better. Every job change has presented a new set of opportunities and challenges from which I have developed professionally. If you chose to search for a new job or relocate take a 360 look at the entire picture. Again, things will not always be better just different. What are you leaving? What are you gaining? And how does this/that get you to where you want to be? It is not an easy process but fortunately for me I have lots of great friends that I came back to (and family) that support me no matter where I am at. Thankfully most of us have moved away from address books because I know I have worn out their pages with my address! It's always hard being the new person at any job. For me it is submersing yourself into getting to know people and establishing the relationships for the big picture/long haul. I at least have a good sense of directions so no matter which move I have made I could figure out the city! It's an opportunity to explore and be open to adventure. The staff needed to have energy for a team environ- ment and be able to have fun; after all, we get the best office around most days. Having a full understanding of the employer that you are going to is very important, so make sure and research them too. Remember during the interview process it's a two-way street. TYLER RAMSEY Assistant Sports Turf Manager Reno Aces I was actively searching for an assistant sports turf manager position. In Ohio, I worked for an athletic field contractor; sometimes in that kind of business you don't get to spend as much time perfecting one field since you are responsible for many fields. I was concerned about leaving my family. Thankfully, they understood that this relocation and job was necessary for me to work toward my ultimate goal of becoming a head groundskee- per. I think anyone who is considering a relocation and new job should ask themselves if the new job will be a step up from their current position. Will it help you achieve your long-term goals? I think researching the city you will be living and working in is a good idea. You need to know that you can fit into your new environment. Starting a new job is always stressful and adding relocation to the mix can be messy if you don't prepare yourself. As I write this I'm only 2 weeks into my relocation. No matter how much you prepare yourself for it, it will be difficult. You're going to miss your family and friends, but if you love what you do, and you know that this is the right step in your career, I don't think you will regret it. My experience has been great with the Reno Aces. Everybody I have met and worked with are easy to work with and even easier to get along with. I am happy with my choice to relocate. JOE KOVOLYAN Manager of Grounds/Automotive University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA I moved across the country for a new job. I wasn't looking for a new job that October several years back nor did I have any idea in 3 months I would be living 3,000 miles away. My previous boss, who had hired me at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, had a Manager of Grounds position open at The University of Puget Sound. He had left 3 years earlier but we had stayed in touch and he even had his grounds manager at the new place contact me about some things over those years. A