Ever since I was a little kid, I knew I would go into the trades. I would constantly “fix” everything with my plastic starter tools. Despite my maintenance being imaginary, I grew up learning real life skills. I helped my dad in the garage every chance I had. He taught me basic skills that I still need to this day. He helped me develop a passion for fixing, maintaining, and creating new things along with opening my eyes to a world of trades. In middle school, I was determined to become a mechanic. That was until I was diagnosed with severe scoliosis which is a curvature of the spine. This changed my life as I was no longer allowed to put excessive strain on my spine constantly. I began to become anxious about the career that I would pursue as many trades were now no longer possible for my circumstance. As I began high school, I began my search for more trades. I searched online and made many connections to people within the trades. Their input helped direct me to the energy workforce. I did a lot of research on energy plants around me and learned about the job and why it’s so important. I have made many connections to energy technicians which help to guide me in my journey to become a technician myself. I have discovered that energy technicians have a very important role not only for our community but also for our environment as a whole. They help to keep power on which has become an essential part of life. They install, maintain, and repair the systems that generate and distribute electricity. Not only do they help to generate and distribute power, but they help to move towards a cleaner more reliable energy source. Energy technicians help to develop renewable energy technologies including solar, wind, hydro-electric, and nuclear energy sources. These help to reduce pollution and combat climate change. I find the energy workforce to be a great way for me to better my skills while continuing to improve the environment and community. I am currently a junior in high school, I will take early entrance courses my senior year through West Virginia Northern Community College in the Energy Tech. Program. Upon graduation, I plan to receive an associates degree where I will then further my knowledge on an internship program with an energy company in my area. Given the opportunity, I will apply all of my principles to create a welcoming work environment, improve my skillset, and become a reliable asset to the team.

At a very young age, I would always accompany my dad in the workshop. I grew up with tools as toys and I would “fix” everything around the house from my tricycle to the refrigerator. Even though my maintenance was only imaginary, it was the start to my difficult journey within the trades. I was in 5th grade when I started to become anxious about my future. I would spend countless hours trying to figure out the perfect job despite being so young. I knew that I would go into the trades, but my problem was deciding which one. After much consideration on the little knowledge I had, my heart was set on being a mechanic. I continued to be my father’s shadow and increase my knowledge for automotive repair. By the time I was in middle school, I was diagnosed with severe scoliosis. This is a severe curve of the spine. I was told that I would no longer be able to become a mechanic because of the strenuous activity that would further harm my back. Not only was I not allowed to become a mechanic, but I became highly limited in the world of trades. I was devastated. My worry about my future became even more intense. I couldn’t see my life without going into the trades. I was determined to find something that I love. Despite my setbacks, I continued to work with my dad in the shop well into my high school years. He taught me basic car maintenance like changing tires, oil, and batteries, which helps me to serve the people within my community. Having this knowledge allows me to volunteer to help those who are having vehicular issues, especially those stuck on the side of the road. As I got older my dad introduced me to woodworking and welding. I began fixing porches, building my own shelves, and welding to fix machinery. I developed a love not only for fixing everything, but creating things too. As I grew, so did my passions. I began volunteering with my dad to help others on simple projects that made their lives easier. I loved seeing how appreciative the people were. It led to my decision to help people’s lives by using my knowledge in the trades. Sophomore year opened up a new world of trades that I didn’t realize existed. I spent hours researching. I stumbled across Energy Technology, it was perfect. This program allows me to help people daily by performing machinery maintenance without putting too much stress on my spine. Despite the effort going unnoticed by most, I will still be continuously helping my community. Knowing I have a part in helping to improve my community allows my passion to grow for Energy Technology.