We're tops!

It's official!

We've been named a 2012 Top Workplace: http://www.topworkplaces.com/frontend.php/regional-list/company/freep/commonwealth-associates

Click here to view the full list: http://www.freep.com/article/20121118/BUSINESS06/121115019 and here to read the insights coming out of this year's competition: http://www.freep.com/article/20121118/BUSINESS06/311180166/Behind-2012-Free-Press-Top-Workplaces-results-Sense-connection-crucial.


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An Event to Remember....

 

Sure, we're a Top 30 Design Firm and we work hard to get there. That said, we also have a fun side. As you may have read in last month's post, October was our "Fall Fun Month." It was chock full of activities designed to bring employees together for a time of fun, fellowship, and good food. Our talented team works hard to bring world-class solutions to our clients' toughest challenges, and a bit of levity helps to maintain the balance that keeps us at our very best. We are committed to being an Employer of Choice and this is just one way that we work at it every day.

Here's the story in pictures:



Oktoberfest was a blast with festive music, freshly-grilled brats, homemade potato salad, soft pretzels with choice of toppings, and a keg of delicious ice-cold root beer.

Data Management's Diane Wilkie, won first place
in the Oktoberfest homemade potato salad contest,
securing the coveted "Golden Potato Award."

Entries arrive in advance of lunchtime voting in
our 2012 Pumpkin Decorating/Carving Contest.

No pumpkin decorating contest would be complete
without yummy pie with which to feed our employee-judges.

Employees were invited to participate and vote in a Halloween
Hallway & Office/Cube Decorating Contest. Team Lower Level
welcomed visitors downstairs with fun pictures of team members.

Having previously inhabited the lower level before relocation
to the East Building, the Electrical Systems Department's
presence could still be felt in the Haunted Forest.

If visitors survived the other creatures in the Haunted Forest,
this fierce animatronic feline was just waiting to pounce on his next meal.

The East Building's Haunted Hallway completely transformed
this Substation cube farm into a spooktacularly fun place for
employees and kids alike with a haunted hay ride and treats.

Of course, the whole experience would not be complete without
a good old fashioned scare from Substation's Pat Keene.

Visitors to the Haunted Forest for the annual Marketing Department
Halloween Party enjoyed delicious and nutrious treats.

Folks lined up waiting for the party to start and the food to flow.

Who knows who one might meet in the Haunted Forest?
Substation's Bob Uddin made it out just in the nick of time.

Someone wasn't so fortunate. She apparently flew straight
into Purchasing's wall. This is a shot of the fresh crime scene.

This week, Linda Gray (VP of Business Development) and Rich Collins (VP of Transmission & Distribution) are in Columbus, Ohio, for the Electrical Transmission and Substation Structures Conference. Attendees are invited to stop by Booth 3 to register to win a hot new Kindle Fire!

 

Tomorrow is Election Day in the United States and lots of important races and proposals will be decided around the country. No matter how you vote, it is important that you participate in this great facet of our republic democracy.

Sunday, November 11th is Veterans Day. This very special day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans. We owe them a debt of gratitude we can never fully repay.

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I said I wasn't going to do this...

I have to confess...I did not want to write this.  Nope, I definitely did not want to be that person who talks about how great her company is, how nice his coworkers are, or all the wonderful things the company does in the community...but I will. 

Frankly, because it's true and I firmly believe that, if you are looking for an engineering job, then you need to know about it. 

Please forgive my unabashed company pride.

Since you probably don't have the couple of hours it would take for me to truly do justice to the company and the folks around here, I'll give you my version of a "highlight reel."

First, there's the whole employee-owned thing.  It's powerful.  It means that each of us care very much about what gets done and how.  We are invested in our clients and projects in a deeper way.  We are committed to creating the proper conditions for people and careers to flourish and for the best ideas to be unleashed and integrated into how we do business with clients and with each other.

Second, Commonwealth has a team of people who are incredibly talented and confident, yet humble.  In fact, many of them even lead or serve on the boards setting tomorrow's industry standards because they are just that passionate about their work.  But it's not all work around here.  If you want to enjoy a simultaneously fast-paced, yet remarkably relaxed atmosphere, then this is the place for you.  You certainly won't be bored, but you'll also have plenty of time for your weekly massage, employee softball team game, "What's for Lunch Thursday," or a delicious Relay for Life Cookout on the lawn listening to our own "Boiler Room Band".  For being so productive, folks around here certainly have work-life balance figured out.

Third, our projects are interesting and challenging.  Barges in Alaska, tower testing in Spain, under the Hudson River in NYC, who knows where you'll be and what you'll experience as part of your Commonwealth career!

Fourth, the benefits are great.  Click here to check them out for yourself.

Finally, while I could go on and on, I'll close with the biggie.  I very much admire my colleagues for thinking and acting beyond themselves.  Commonwealth enthusiastically embraces social responsibility and demonstrates leadership in the community to make a positive impact, not just for employees, but for everyone who lives and works in the surrounding area.  Whether sponsoring the annual Hot Air Jubilee, supporting the local performing arts scene, providing winter coats for kids or food for pets, collecting toys for Toys-for-Tots, cleaning up the roadsides, or mentoring future generations of potential engineers, Commonwealth employees are happiest when they are giving back and helping others.

I think you'll agree that my company pride is well-founded.  If you are looking for a terrific place to work, I invite you to check out our Current Jobs. 

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