My studies brought me into the realm of Electrical Engineering and Lighting Engineering, but in the 1970’s the possibility of finding a job were as remote as they are today. Therefore, I had two possibilities. Twiddle my thumbs at home, or go abroad and try to pick up some language. I chose the later.
I traveled through France, Switzerland and Italy. Doing any jobs that I could find.
I can remember never have much money, but I can also remember never being hungry.
Vicenza
My luck changed when I arrived at Vicenza (a beautiful city, and a beautiful province). I got my first real job working for a company called “Sivi Illuminazione”. My job was multiple, draughtsman, lighting engineer, and later designer in which I designed an office lighting fitting of great success.
Being used to a lively life when I was a handy man of all trade, master of none, and travelling through Europe, I soon got quite bored with my position. Working for a very large company in Italy, was then and probably still is, boring with very little chance of advancement. Thank God there was a coffee machine.
Milano
After a year I moved to Milano, and was hired by a company called Pollice Illuminazione as export manager. Knowing nothing about export cost me a small fortune in books. But I was very lucky. The owner Dott.Cesare Pollice, and the General Manager (ex-Unilever) were full of encouragement, and both are in my top list of Italians that I have had a pleasure to meet.
I remember one story. As explained, this was my first job as export manager, and there was a family member of the owner that was doing his best not to help me settle in. I received a call from Dott. Pollice to go to his office. I thought this is it. I am going to get the sack.
Entering his office, he kindly asked me to take a seat. He then surprised me by asking me if I would like a whisky! I said yes please! He looked at me for a while and I waited while sipping by whisky. John, he said. I have some bad news for you (here it comes). I wanted to make you export director for the company, but instead I have to choose my nephew (my first experience of nepotism), and when he comes back from his course, he will be your manager. My heart plummeted, and I took another big sip of my whisky.
It must did not workout. He was an idiot, and certainly not a gentleman.
My next post will be about the Countries that I visited, and the experiences that I had.
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