One of our Fiber Splicing Foremen, Juan Cantu, works out of Network Connex’s Dallas, Texas market on fiber optics deployment in Texas. He shares what his role looks like and how he’s developed into a respected leader for his team of OSP technicians in our Deployment Services division.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR CAREER PATH AND WHAT LED YOU TO YOUR CURRENT ROLE?
I started splicing when I was 19 years old, I started off as an electrician apprentice and transferred over to low voltage within the first year. I began learning how to terminate ISP (inside plant) fiber and Cat 6 cabling for global cloud data centers and even in some of the major Texas hospital systems. After doing that for about 3 years I made the decision to learn the OSP (outside plant) side of the industry. I began terminating fiber underground and building aerial fiber paths for enterprises and small cell networks.
WHAT KINDS OF EDUCATION OR ON THE JOB TRAINING HAVE HELPED YOU BE SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR CURRENT JOB?
In addition to all of the on the job training I’ve experienced over the course of my career, I have over 45 college credit hours and have taken training courses for fiber splicing, fiber testing, OSHA 30.
WHAT CHARACTERISTICS DO YOU THINK ARE NEEDED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR ROLE?
The characteristics needed would be a good leader, problem-solving, participation and being a facilitator. It’s important to be able to motivate and lead your team to work together to get the objective done.
It’s great to have enough experience in the field to solve unexpected problems that your crew encounters. As I was growing up my dad always told me “when things get tough, get smart” meaning there is a solution for everything, you just have to find a way.
Staying hands on as a member of the team in all of your projects can help track progress and send a important message to the team that you are with them as a unit.
Ultimately being a good facilitator of information and materials sourcing is necessary for everyone involved in the project to succeed.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY AT WORK LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
My day starts with scheduling our crew with the objective of the day, going over the progress, and reviewing status on any pending or upcoming jobs.
I then briefly communicate with our customers via email or phone call just to go over projects and keep a healthy relationship.
I then support our team out in the field—with splicing, testing, and aerial work—in areas we are short staffed or need to complete work by a certain time.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?
I love being involved in projects such as outages for businesses that I know really depend on their internet network.
HOW DO YOU LIKE TO SPEND YOUR TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK?
I enjoy spending time with my family, playing golf, watching sports and cooking out.
TELL US A FUN OR SURPRISING FACT ABOUT YOU!
Something surprising about me is that I am fascinated with outer space and astronomy.