Nine weeks ago, before I came into this program, I felt as though my future was kind of going downhill, mostly because I wasn’t exposed to different things in my childhood and my adulthood, and I didn’t really see a clear path forward. I knew I wanted more, but I didn’t know what direction to take or how to get there.
This program helped me in various ways, but most of all it helped me prepare for the trades I’m serious about, like iron work or sheet metal. It wasn’t just talking about work; it gave us hands-on training. They put us in real world situations and prepared us for real-life job scenarios, so I didn’t feel like I was guessing what the job would be like. Along the way, I started building confidence, and I started finding my purpose too.
I see my career progressing because of the experiences and the relationships I built with people in this program, like Mr. DeWitt and my cohort. Having people around me who I can ask questions, who will give me real criticism, and who actually want to see me do better, that changed a lot for me. It helped me build my passion and improve my work, because I wasn’t trying to do everything on my own anymore.
One unexpected benefit I discovered from this program was the grind. I didn’t realize how much I needed to prove to myself that I could keep showing up and constantly work hard, even when life was heavy. There were nights I had to work overnight, and I still came to school and worked hard. That grind turned into hunger—hunger to prepare for the real world, hunger to get a better job, and hunger to feed my family.
I also found something I didn’t expect: community. One of the most memorable moments I shared in this program was during the OSHA 30 class. Honestly, it was boring, but me and my classmates kept each other going. We cracked jokes on our breaks, and we participated more, and that made it easier to push through. That’s what I really take away from it: friendships, a sense of community, and a sense of ownership in what we were doing.
Now, nine weeks after starting, I feel different about my future. I feel like I can feed my family. I feel like I can help other people in my community, and in the world, actually. This program didn’t just prepare me for a job; it helped me believe I could build a life that means something.
If I’m being honest from the heart, I would recommend this program to anybody. It doesn’t matter who you are, anyone can change. Anyone deserves a second chance. And if I could give one key piece of advice to future apprentices, it would be simple: show up every day and give it your all. Just show up every day. That’s how you progress.
And I also want to say this: Ms. Vivian McClellan was a very good instructor and teacher. She was here with us every day, and she pushed us every day. I’m really grateful, and I’m thankful for her.