I recently (November 2nd) started a job as an Electrician Apprentice and though I’ve been studying since May, being in the field and seeing electrical applications first I recently (November 2nd) started a job as an Electrician Apprentice and though I’ve been studying since May, being in the field and seeing electrical applications firsthand, a lot of realities were made clear. The first and foremost being that the trades truly build this world and supply us all of our comforts. Every structure, every road, every camera, and light are all installed by various trades. There would truly be nothing without the hard working men and women in the trades, those who are willing to make concepts come to life and do the physical work to get it done. In my field specifically, it’s been amazing to see just how involved wiring a building is and how you have to start from ground zero in order to just have a lot building . My current job location is in Norfolk International Airport, we are just one cog in the trade machine of a build renovation. We are doing commercial work so I’ve been able to see how conduit is bent in order to allow it to house wires, as well as various safety equipments such as fire alarm systems, GFCI’s, occupancy sensors, and emergency lights. I have been able to see first hand how trades must work together and time their tasks around each other in order to complete the job or to even get to the next step. I’ve also been able to grasp how interconnected the trades are. Especially when it comes to electricity used in HVAC and plumbing. From pumps to thermostats, electricity is integral to it all. Our world today is built on the comforts the trades provide and the hard work and long days spent creating them. With plumbing, our water supply for showers, toilets, and sinks, all bring us the comforts of modern conveniences. The ability to have our water clean and drinkable on demand, is a luxury other people may never experience. With HVAC, having the ability to control the temperature in your home is also a luxury. We can make our room as cool or warm as we want with just the press of a button. Then with electricity, which aids all of these, we are able to see at night and watch tv or use our stoves to cook food. All of these luxuries are made possible by the trades, and as earlier stated, our lives would be much more uncomfortable without these and that is all thanks to what the trade’s provide. It is a proud feeling to look at a finished project and think back on all the effort, time, and teamwork it took to get there. Fortunately for us, our jobs cannot be automated so the trades will always be crucial to our modern world. The trades make it go round, or at very least give us all the benefits to be able to live in it comfortably.

Growing up in a family of hardworking blue collar men, it was only natural that I followed suit, but now with the intention of normalizing strong women in the trades. My family has always been in the trades, from general construction to specialized fields, we have also always played a part in elevating our communities and adjacent communities through our knowledge and skills. From community outreach programs that help to construct buildings, to adding acoustical paneling to church buildings for noise control we have always had the mentality to give back. Joining the electrical field allows me to pave the way for a new generation of skilled workers within my family, and a new way to help our communities. Once I have completed school and gained the required licensure, I am interested in working with EWWB (Electrical Workers Without Borders) to lend my expertise to underserved communities. My main intentions are focused on safe electrical work that is efficient and reliable. There are many communities, especially overseas, that have a large amount of injuries and fatalities due to faulty electrical work. In addition, there are also many communities that struggle without an electrical grid at all. I intend to create a nonprofit that brings solar technology to communities without power. This will allow these communities to have access to technology that will make their lives healthier and more manageable, whether it is through food preservation or water delivery methods. In addition to being able to use my skills for my community, I also was interested in the electrical field for self-sufficiency reasons. I grew up with a curiosity for thirst for knowledge. I have always wanted to learn how to do various things, and due to limited finances most of my adult life, I have always had a need to be self sufficient. Through my curiosities I have learned how to fix various parts of my car, rewire appliances, replace windows, and more. Working with my hands has always come natural to me, and it is something I truly enjoy. My hope is that with earning scholarships and relieving financial strain, I can better focus on my next steps towards providing for my family and helping my community and the underserved communities around the world. I hope to be able to funnel all of my energy towards my goal of creating a nonprofit and bringing SAFE electrical work to the people who need it and can benefit from it.

Growing up in a family of hardworking blue collar men, it was only natural that I followed suit, but now with the intention of normalizing strong women in the trades. My family has always been in the trades, from general construction to specialized fields, we have also always played a part in elevating our communities and adjacent communities through our knowledge and skills. From community outreach programs that help to construct buildings, to adding acoustical paneling to church buildings for noise control we have always had the mentality to give back. Joining the electrical field allows me to pave the way for a new generation of skilled workers within my family, and a new way to help our communities. Once I have completed school and gained the required licensure, I am interested in working with EWWB (Electrical Workers Without Borders) to lend my expertise to underserved communities. My main intentions are focused on safe electrical work that is efficient and reliable. There are many communities, especially overseas, that have a large amount of injuries and fatalities due to faulty electrical work. In addition, there are also many communities that struggle without an electrical grid at all. I intend to create a nonprofit that brings solar technology to communities without power. This will allow these communities to have access to technology that will make their lives healthier and more manageable, whether it is through food preservation or water delivery methods. In addition to being able to use my skills for my community, I also was interested in the electrical field for self-sufficiency reasons. I grew up with a curiosity for thirst for knowledge. I have always wanted to learn how to do various things, and due to limited finances most of my adult life, I have always had a need to be self sufficient. Through my curiosities I have learned how to fix various parts of my car, rewire appliances, replace windows, and more. Working with my hands has always come natural to me, and it is something I truly enjoy. My hope is that with earning scholarships and relieving financial strain, I can better focus on my next steps towards providing for my family and helping my community and the underserved communities around the world. I hope to be able to funnel all of my energy towards my goal of creating a nonprofit and bringing SAFE electrical work to the people who need it and can benefit from it.