Finding fulfillment after an
unexpected career change
Garrett Hogencamp never anticipated working in the
pile driving and foundation industry while studying
finance at Jacksonville University, but sometimes life
has a way of putting you where you were always meant to be.
“I basically came into this industry straight out of college,” said
Hogencamp. “I say ‘basically’ because immediately after graduating,
I worked with a wealth management group and quickly realized
that it wasn’t for me.”
Through four years of college, Hogencamp says he wanted to be
a wealth manager. However, after just 90 days on the job, he realized
he had made a mistake.
“I didn’t enjoy being tied to a desk all day every day,” said
Hogencamp. “It was just a lot different than I expected.”
Hogencamp says that the clientele interaction also wasn’t what
he imagined it would be. Throughout college, he had worked as a
bartender and enjoyed being around people, and he enjoyed the
banter that came with being a bartender. Suddenly that was gone,
and he quickly realized just how much he missed it.
Time for a change
Hogencamp knew the director at PVE Equipment (who has since
left the company), Herman Schieving, on a personal level and told
him that he was unhappy with his career decision. Schieving’s
response was, “Why don’t you come work for us?” That was all
it took.
Hogencamp was a utility guy for his first year with PVE
Equipment, doing a little bit of everything, from logistics to digital
marketing and even “a touch of finance.” As he explains, he really
needed that time to not only learn the industry, but also the language
of the industry.
“If you don’t come from the equipment or foundation industry, a
lot of the terminology is truly a foreign language,” said Hogencamp.
“It’s not like there’s a guideline or handbook. If you hadn’t been
exposed to it, you really have to learn on the fly.”
During his second year at PVE Equipment, Hogencamp graduated
from utility guy to his current position – southeast sales and
rental manager – where he’s been the last two years.
“Most of my responsibilities involve sales and rentals of
our PVE vibratory hammers, Woltman piling and drilling rigs
and Bell dredging pumps in the Southeast region of the U.S.,”
said Hogencamp.
The spice of life
Hogencamp says that he loves the variety and unpredictability of
his position. One day doesn’t feel exactly like the last, where the
days can run together in a way that makes time feel obsolete.
“I love how every day brings a new challenge and every
job and every client has different needs and expectations,” said
Hogencamp. “You get to do something new every day. It definitely
keeps you on your toes.”
Hogencamp says he’s grateful to have found his way into the
pile driving and foundation industry and says it means a lot more
to him than simply collecting a paycheck.
By Nick Mistretta
CAREER STORY
Garrett Hogencamp, PVE Equipment USA
Garrett Hogencamp, PVE Equipment USA
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