Fiber splicing not only helps connect people to the digital resources of the internet, it also allows the splicer to connect to new places and environments — a favorite aspect of the job for industry vet Will Miller.
At Broadband Nation's Expo held in Washington D.C., we spoke with Miller on how he found himself in the industry (see full interview below). Originally, Miller went to school with the ambition to work on a race team. "That didn't work out," he reflected wryly.
While looking for other work, he stumbled across a broadband company at a job fair. Finding himself intrigued by the hands-on work and the idea of helping connect new communities to the internet, he "jumped at the chance."
For Miller, the best part working out in the field is getting to see different unique places and people. "I love Vegas," Miller hinted as an example, where he worked on series of central office installs. "[I] got to work hard, then play hard afterwards," he recollected fondly.
New environments do come in extremes as a fiber splicer though — as you're expected to do the work rain or shine. Miller recalled a time when his splice van stopped working on a viciously cold day. While connecting two fibers, he licked his lips only to have them freeze together. But in Miller's mind, he'd take the weather extremes over the monotony of an office any day. "The good well outweighed the bad," he said.
"Being passionate about that work, bringing internet, bringing that to peoples' lives, bridging that digital divide, it's impactful," concluded Miller.
Watch the full interview here:
Interested in becoming a fiber splicer? Check out our jobs portal and Learning Center.