I made cable filler (the stuff in the lines that goes under the ocean) for an Employee Owned Company.

It was the BEST job I ever had. Hit all the markers, AND we were respected as emoloyees being EO.

Left during the pandemic. The company.. tbh, tanked. My payout (not even close to what I could have walked with if I stayed til retirement) would have been 12k (after taxes/fees) the day I left. I had to wait 5 years to get my stock payout due to resigning. Walked with $2k. So.. I left right when the culture shifted, and though pissed at losing 10k, my leaving feels validated.

But I know I wont ever find work like that again. Yes im sad about it.