Through storms and trouble, cold or warm, flood or drought, when the lights come back on it is a relief of stress. Linemen are the heroes of storms and are often overlooked compared to other service workers such as police and firemen. As a lineman, I would be able to complete circuits and restore power to entire neighborhoods or apartment complexes. In a worldwide view, it may not seem like too much, but in a small community like the one I live in myself, it is always amazing to be able to have the lights off by choice. Since I was young, I was always driven to work and move around. As I continued to grow older, I couldn't stand the typical route that was pushed upon me. Being in the same environment over and over again, and repeating the same actions sounded like hell. My parents just wanted me to go to a university and find a secluded desk job that paid well, and I was entirely against that. Closer to graduation, I was lost in decisions for my future. The next steps that I would take could dictate the rest of my life. That was until I found the Line program. This job allows me to be able to help others, work in a small team, and experience something new from site to site. A few years back, Hurricane Laura hit Louisiana harshly. Before the storm hit, family friends who lived there came down to my house for refuge. As they stayed, we kept getting updates about their place and the atrocities that the storm would bring. There were eighty-one deaths and a little over twenty-three billion dollars worth of damage. When they returned home, they told me the water was still to their knees and the power was out for two weeks. Whenever they finally got electricity again, it happened to be her birthday, and was the best gift she said she was given. Linemen unconsciously gave her and many others that gift. Once I'm a lineman, I will be able to be a part of a brotherhood that supports the backbone of the frontline health workers. As terrible storms or natural disasters occur, there are inevitable weather damage and injuries. The hospitals become filled and schools become bunkers for the community. To keep all of these buildings running, they require electricity from lines. From large buildings such as schools, or hospitals, to small one-bedroom apartments, I can allow people to flick a light on whenever all they can see outside is rain. Having power is usually taken for granted, but once it's gone, people realize how vital it is. As a lineman, I will be considered a first responder during weather catastrophes. I would be the first to come to action in the restoration of the aftermath of natural disasters. I want to be the reason why people will be able to have hope whenever they see a light flicker on. I want to be the reason why others will be able to get their businesses operational again. I want to be the reason why somebody would be able to turn on their lights and go on with their days. As each lightbulb gets flicked back on, is one step closer to making an impact in brightening the world.

From a young age, I was always a bit more rambunctious. Some might even say hyperactive. I always had a hard time staying still or sitting in one space. My mother would tell me that she would receive phone calls from my teachers about my behavior. constant leg movements, thoughts bouncing all around, and as this continued throughout my years in high school, I realized that I had no happiness in a common desk job. This realization made me think about other fields such as trade work. I grew up in a more predominantly black and Latino population, so I felt a bit isolated from the rest. The constant tyrannizing and nitpicking from other peers made me hate the skin I was in and I didn't understand why. "chink!" " Why do your eyes look like that?" " My cat went missing the other night, did you take it?." The racist remarks would continue endlessly. I had no place in school and I hated to go. I didn't enjoy studying, it was intolerable, but I got it done. My social life in school consisted of being harassed by other kids in the hallways and in class. All this would happen until I found the carpentry shop class. I wasn't even in the class officially, I would just stop by during my off period and the teacher would allow me to work on the projects with the other students. As it was one of my first time on a project of this sort, I was uncoordinated. I would swing the hammer and curl the nail and make other similar mistakes like that. The other students didn't see my skin color or race, but they saw my work. They would help coach me and instruct me on how to build. Every time I would be in that class, it felt like time was flying, and the bell would ring so quickly. I felt like I belonged in there. I realized that I wanted to go into a career where I could be busy with my hands and be on my feet. From the class, I've learned that I have a great interest in trades and am passionate about pursuing such a career. Despite what other people think, and all the setbacks that have occurred, I know I can succeed regardless of what others think. Trades allow me to be successful, be helpful to the community, work with my hands, and get paid for work I enjoy.