When Mike Mott began his career in telecommunications in 1984, ISDN PRI (T1) and BRI were the cutting edge of technology. Over the years, he’s witnessed entire infrastructures transform, as copper lines were phased out, digital systems emerged, and VoIP replaced plain old telephone service. For Mike, adapting to change has never been optional; it’s been a critical part of navigating a career that spans four decades.

But his journey into independent field service work was not straightforward. It was shaped by curiosity, resilience, and, ultimately, freedom of choice.

Finding his way to the Field Nation marketplace

Mike first discovered field service marketplaces in 2007, while supplementing his full-time job. He connected with a gig-based model for technical work, which eventually led him to Field Nation.

After exploring the marketplace and completing several jobs, Mike determined that Field Nation was where he felt the best fit. “After all the cards fell, Field Nation was the best bet,” Mike recalled. “The marketplace is oriented toward technicians, and Field Nation seems to cover everything very well.”

By 2014, after 30 years in telecom, Mike stepped back into semi-retirement. In 2015, he dove back into field service, this time through Field Nation.

Building a career on flexibility

A typical day for Mike involves one to three jobs around the Seattle area. With over 2,800 projects completed, he focuses on what he knows best: telecom and networking. The freedom to choose the work types he prefers is key. “When looking through work orders, every decision starts with: do I know the buyer, and can I do the work well?”

The art of communication

Beyond technical know-how, Mike emphasizes communication as a cornerstone of field service success. Whether coordinating with buyers, troubleshooting alongside onsite staff, or making sure end users understand the updates before he leaves, Mike knows the job doesn’t end when the fix is complete.

“You never want to leave a site with anybody angry. That’s never an option,” he said. “You always want to communicate what you’re doing to the people on site and the people on the phone that are helping you configure stuff. Everyone has to be on the same page when you leave.” With a Provider Success Score of 92, he has earned a stellar reputation on the marketplace.

Establishing work-life balance through Field Nation

For Mike, Field Nation has provided not just consistent work, but the kind of lifestyle he envisioned after semi-retirement.

“I work between 15 and 25 hours a week on the Field Nation marketplace. I worked 30 years from 1984 to 2014, and since then it’s been a gig economy life—and it’s been great. Field Nation fits just right for me,” Mike added. He enjoys the flexibility to stay engaged with his craft, earn a comfortable income, and keep working on his own terms.

Looking ahead

Mike has seen technology shift dramatically from the analog days of copper lines to today’s fiber-powered world. Still, one thing remains constant: his commitment to doing the job right, communicating well, and leaving every site better than he found it. “Every project I do is an adventure. That’s why I like it so much. It really is fun,” he concluded.

For Mike, Field Nation isn’t just a marketplace. It’s a bridge between decades of expertise and the freedom to keep doing what he loves, on his own terms.