Career Progressions and Pride

Many employees build entire careers here. Jean-Pierre started as cleaner, became painter, now supervises maintenance. His daughter works in the gift shop, his son trains as elevator technician. "Three generations serving the tower," he beams. "Not many families can say that."

The tower offers advancement opportunities. Night school sponsorship, technical training, language classes. "I arrived from Romania speaking little French," recalls gift shop manager Ana Popescu. "The tower paid for language classes, business courses. Now I manage 20 people. Where else offers such chances?"

Pride runs deep. Employees wear tower pins off-duty, defend her against criticism, bring visiting relatives for private tours. "When someone insults the tower, it's personal," admits security officer Martin Schmidt. "She's not just where we work—she's who we are."