Smart Service Scholarship

I grew up in a small town where almost everyone knew their way around one skilled trade or another. However, I had an absent father who didn't teach me any of those skills, and a single mother who couldn't teach me even if she had the time. As I grew older, I wanted to be the kind of husband and father that could take care of my home and teach my children to do the same. When it came time to decide on a career path, I gravitated towards options that would teach me some of those skills. Having seen the financial struggle of a single parent, job security and income were also important factors in my career exploration. I am pursuing plumbing because it gives me the self-reliance I yearned for in my youth, it is an important field of work, and as a plumber, I can provide for my family. Learning a skill that is so essential to society has given me greater confidence. Pursuing plumbing is teaching me how to use power tools, allowing me to repair and maintain the plumbing in my own home, and enabling me to serve others who need plumbing assistance. For example, being able to update my kitchen faucet on my own gave me a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. What is now a simple do-it-yourself project was once a project that seemed unattainable. Many people who are interested in trades shy away from plumbing because it isn't the most glamorous job, but our lives would be very different without it. Access to clean water, facilities that keep our homes clear of waste, and getting hot water in seconds are all blessings from plumbing that I feel many people take for granted. The beginnings of plumbing started centuries ago. The long history of plumbing innovation has improved our quality of life immensely. I don't want to see this trade be diminished in any way. I consider it a privilege to be part of such a profound legacy. Plumbing is an essential job. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people were out of work. I was blessed to be able to keep working because people need clear drains and running water. There are many aspects to plumbing, so I don't have to worry about not having work. Whether it is repiping homes, roto rooting drains, or servicing water heaters, there is always someone out there who needs or wants something done. Plumbing also opens the door to being a code inspector, teaching apprentices, or starting my own business. I am confident that I will always be able to provide for my wife and kids because I am pursuing a career in plumbing. Of the many trade career paths that are important to society and the economy, I am carrying on the legacy of plumbing. Learning to plumb is teaching me valuable life skills. Pursuing plumbing allows me to provide for my family in an honest way that I can be proud of. Plumbing is helping me be the man I have always wanted to be.