Ever since I was little I had a love for architecture and construction. My favorite toys growing up were Lego bricks and Lincoln Logs. All of my teachers used to tell my parents "He's going to be an architect when he is older." I used to go with my grandfather to Home Depot to help him carry lumber and materials and later help him install OSB on the walls of his basement. He never became a real carpenter, in some way I'm sure this is one of his regrets. Maybe this is why I am so interested in construction and carpentry, picking up something that my grandfather wishes he did. He recently gave me a worn and tattered tool belt and it means a lot to me. Besides the fact that my grandpa has inspired me to pursue this career, I also have a large enjoyment of construction and working with my hands. Last year I was enrolled in a building trades class where I learned many helpful techniques and skills. In the class, we learned how to frame a house and we actually worked on a tiny home that was commissioned. This was a great way to continue my knowledge and provide real world experience of what it is like to be in the construction business.
However recently, I have grown very fond of electrician work. There is no emotional connection to electrical work like construction. The only thing is that many of the people that are in the trades that I have spoken to, recommended electrician as a career. They say that it can be very profitable. The residential wiring class that I am currently taking has been very enriching and I have learned a great amount so far. At the beginning of the year I came in completely blind, I had no knowledge or previous experience of electrical work. In my eyes, I have come a long way since the start of the class. I just recently learned how to wire a recessed fan and light for a bathroom along with GFCI outlets. We have not yet gone out as a class to wire a real building but it is on the schedule.
Whatever I choose to pursue, whether it is electrical or construction work, I will be determined to do the best work I can. I love both trades and I would be extremely happy to do either of the two as a career.
My trade journey is an interesting one. When I was in 8th grade, I was exposed to this amazing Junior Achievement program called JA JobSpark. “Job Spark is a two-day, hands-on career expo impacting over 10,000 Indianapolis eighth graders… JobSpark is meant to “spark” an interest in students and get them excited for their future." They learn skills needed for jobs that will be in demand when they graduate. "Students will have a better understanding of the courses they will need to take in high school, a track for post-secondary and a clear career pathway for what they find they are interested in.” (JA JobSpark, 2022).
It has been a few years and thinking back to 8th grade, my objectives were different. I wanted to be a Special Education teacher. I wanted to help kids that had the same difficulties I had. I am dyslexic. At the time, I was on the right path, volunteering with Best Buddies in my school, and being a teacher’s aide in the Special Education classroom. When I got to JA JobSpark, I was excited to explore the hands-on experiences, hoping to learn more about careers in Special Education; however, there were no hands-on experiences for special education offered that year. So, I explored other things. They offered, within other things, an amazing construction and engineering area. Hard hat on my head, I went up on the excavator, I was sold! That was a powerful experience. Seeing and doing those things opened my eyes to different opportunities not related to my original goal.
Yesterday I had the honor to, years later, return to JobSpark as a student speaker and share my story to leaders of our community and important donors. I shared that when I enter the workforce, I want to work with Construction Management. I always loved to work with my hands, I learn by experiencing, touching, and listening. As a dyslexic, I learned at a very young age how to use the resources I had available. I learned how to use my strengths. It is powerful to see the results of the work of my hands. It is beautiful to build something out of nothing. And it is even more powerful to be a successful female in a male-dominated career. As a professional female in construction, I want to inspire other females and encourage them to choose a career path that brings them joy despite the obstacles.
Since JobSpark opened my eyes to the possibility to work in Construction, during High School I chose to pursue the technical honors program and enroll in the Construction Trade Program with the Area 31 career Center. I am proud to be a part of an amazing program and to be the Ambassador for the Construction Trade Program. Construction would probably not be a career I would pursue if it wasn’t for the hands-on immersion I experienced at JA JobSpark.
Attending JobSpark helped me believe that I can do anything I set my mind to. It helped me to understand the value of work, that with a little bit of elbow grease, some callouses on my hands, and passion, I can be anything I want. Also, since I am in my 2nd year in the High School trade Program, the next step is higher dreams. I am excited to announce that I just got accepted to Ball State University in the construction management program. This scholarship will help me to finance and further my education.
References
JA JobSpark. (2022). Retrieved from JAJobSpark.org: https://www.jajobspark.org/
