The technicians make an incredible difference. They're easy to work with. When you call at four in the morning, they take your calls, answer your questions and fix your problems. If they don't know the answer to something, they ll tell you. I've learned to work more efficiently with less upset.
Assertiveness pays off.
You can be assertive here without earning any black marks. This same attitude of getting things done doesn't always work elsewhere. The only thing I worry about is the possibility that some students could come in here and be lost in the hubbub. But the JLab student association should help. I'd like to stay here at the Lab and take a post doc, directly from the Lab or a member institution.