Joe Bryson:  

I am Proud to be a Graduate of LVTI 1988, I attended the Electrical Program and was grateful to have such a great Class. I wasn't the smartest person by any means but more of a hands on person. I got into the IBEW union and was the first class that entered the brand new school in Dorchester. Unfortunately that was they year of Proposition 2-1/2 and the work within the Unions was at that time the lowest in years. I was laid off and sign the books with the average call back time to be 4 years or more. As an apprentice I worked with my Boss in the Union, because we were the last group to be laid off. Then there was no work and bills had to be paid with unemployment gone I had to make a decision. I was given an opportunity to learn the Funeral Business and jumped on it and completed the Apprentice program. While I was working with the Funeral home I walked into another great opportunity and had to make a decision overnight because the resume date was 2 day's out. What happened was myself and my partner had to pick up a deceased loved one that was at the State Medical Examiners Office in Boston. As we were waiting for the Autopsy to be finished when we were told the decedant was completed we ended up waiting 2 hours. The girl working case/call intake asked me if I wanted to view and Autopsy? I was scared crap but in my mind was if this beautiful can do it then I can! Mind you I never changed a diaper then and today but I was willing to view an actual Autopsy in the works. OMG LOL" So I viewed about 10 seconds and focused on the clock in there as the girl was saying your doing well for someone who never seen this type of work. She then gave me a tour and explained what everyone did and why it was done, that was interesting itself. My partner said that she was hitting on me, which I denied until she admitted it to me later. As an electrician I was used to not wearing my wedding ring and it applied when I was doing removals. So she asked if I was interested in filling out an application and she would be a reference for me as long as I got her the Resume on Sunday (I was there on Friday). She told me the salary and benefits which was better than being an Electrician. It was a no Brainier and my Mother-in-law did my resume and I hand delivered it to her and she filled in the Blanks for me and added herself as a reference. They were hiring 2 people and after getting the job I was told that close to 300 applicants applied. I was shocked but appreciated after 5 interviews and all kind of background checks (State/Federal/Drugs etc. When I got hired I just missed the State training for the position I applied for and was ready to go in 4 months I believe. I am a hands on guy, if you show me hands on first and then I read after why and what I did made since by learning backwards. If I had to do it the true way, school then remember what the books said to do I will be honest it would of been a no go after my Probation period. So there are 2 thing's or people I am grateful to make this dream job (salary and Benefits wise). The girl that refereed me was a model employee so her reference was great, But her mother worked for Public Safety (Who was the agency that oversaw the Medical Examiners Office along as the State Police etc) So her mom made a call on her daughters request which basically moved my resume to the top and a guarantee interview! Well as I said previously 5 interviews took place and they were intense. I was told by my Boss on the last interview in the elevator ride down that the 4 interviews previous were aced and this last one was to ask me the same questions in a different format to see if everything matched up! He said that they have a scoring system to confirm your honesty and from what he was adding up during that I was hired verbally but give him a week to call me to confirm. After getting hired the girl that gave me the reference etc, worked in the Worcester office and was covering Boston for that weekend only and I was at the right place and right time. We had a meeting and I had a card to thank her etc, so when I seen her at the meeting she saved me a seat and was suprised to see a wedding ring on me and admitted to me she was hoping that we could of gone out for drinks. LOL" We ended up being partners during part of my training and developed a Professional and great work relationship.2 months in my learning and fear working with all these instruments and notes/dictating everything I did, my boss came into the Autopsy room and said Joe what College did you go to? I said I graduated from a Vocational school and never went to College. He embarrassed me in-front of 2 Doctors and 3 Co-Workers which didn't sit too well with me. I said to my Boss that I will finish what I have to do and wanted to meet in his office after, He said why and I said because you made me look like an A-Hole and I want to know if this is going to be how things are done here? He said I needed to pass 26 test's and obtain 16 licenses before my probation period or I am out of a job. I was furious and humiliated, the support of all that saw this backed me 100% and said that after our work is done we will all go meet the Boss. I was so relieved, One of the Doctors said do you have Vacation time accrued, I said yes Doctor. He said that in 2 weeks he is taking 3 weeks off and teaching and consulting and asked if I could stay in Rhode Island for 2 weeks to learn what was needed to surprise my boss that I did it and that his intimidation was ineffective. I said what about your family, He said that they were going Home to visit family (Russia) and that he believes in me and if I can stay with him we can achieve the goals needed! I was overwhelmed and said Doc. I will pay you but immediately he said that being his assistant since I was hired, he was impressed but never showed any emotion or complimented me for a job well done. He said that this will be an even exchange if you accept my offer. Again I am hand on and what an opportunity, plus the embarrassment motivated me because this was to stay between me and the Doctor. So I did comply with the Doctor and he taught during the day 4 days a week and I sat in and took notes and with his near perfect qualifications, he had a Consultant company to do Autopsies for families who wanted to be 100% why there loved on passed away. Every death has to be reported to the Medical Examiner except for terminal illness and when a Physician is willing to sign the Death Certificate due to the persons medical history and age along with the responding Police confirms that no foul play and there medications are accountable and no forced entry. Quite a few people aren't happy with the doctor saying your loved one passed because of 20 years of h...Expand for more