Instagram Day In The Life Videos

Many 4-letter words come to mind. Let's try W-O-R-K!

I watch too many wind energy videos. Admit it, you do too. And yes, I’m guilty of adding to the vast amount of media content about wind energy. But there is one video style that just rubs me the wrong way. Not for the artistic approach, style, or even the people highlighted. It’s the content that puts a negative image on wind energy.

If your mind quickly jumps to the fanatical anti-wind protestors in whale costumes with picket signs, you are not far off. But, that’s the focus for another article.

No, no, no. I’m talking about those Day in the Life videos produced by the lovely folks in PR and HR departments at renewable companies. Do these videos really help with recruitment? I doubt it.

Let me re-create one of these videos in timeline form.

8a - Wake up, grab some granola and a cup of coffee.
8:30a - Walk to the mass transit station
9a - Arrive at the Ikea-styled office filled with green plants and plenty of shiny wood accents.
9:30a - Write thoughts in journal.
10:30a - Time for a coffee break in the company break area. Discussion ensues with co-workers about their day.
11:15a - Hop on the computer to check email and write reflexive responses back. Then to review the schedule for the day.
12:30 - Well it’s lunch time - back to the cafeteria for a delicious salad.
1:30p - Onwards to an afternoon confab with co-workers. Coffee cups are usually sitting around the conference table. Side note - the amount of caffeine consumed in these videos is quite remarkable.
3p - Heading to the meditation room for a little quiet time.
4p - Stroll to the desk to shut down the laptop and make plans for the evening.
5p - Back to mass transportation.
6:30p - Dinner with co-workers in a trendy restaurant.

What are these Day in the Life videos missing?? WORK. Yes, that 4-letter word that keeps everyone employed: W-O-R-K.

These videos lead the general public - and future employees - to the obvious conclusion that nothing important happens during work hours. Are you kidding me??

Let’s highlight engineers just for a moment. Engineers spend 4+ grueling years studying - and ignoring their physical and mental health - just so they can work on something relevant and cool. Top engineers do not want to sit on their backside day after day in meetings or replying to emails. Top engineers (and employees) want to do good WORK.

How do we fix this Day in the Life problem? We talk about what the employees are really doing. Show how their WORK matters. Give insights into how the employee and the company are changing the future of wind. That is valuable stuff. And well needed. Because top talent is hard to find. And we need the best people in wind energy.

Stay charged!

Allen

PS: BuildTurbines.com is a site that tries to depict some of the real WORK being done in the wind industry. Disclaimer: yep, I’m affiliated with said site. Feel free to leave a comment about what you like, what you don’t, and if you work in wind, please tell us what you do (when you’re not journaling, of course).