WHAT WAS YOUR BACKGROUND BEFORE ATTENDING TRADE SCHOOL?
I was working in carpentry and other odd jobs in trades before welding school. I wanted to get a job that would allow me to be on the road and travel more. My dad was in welding, so it ran in the family. I got the idea to register from him and some other friends in the industry.
HOW DID MIA SHARE HELP YOU ON YOUR EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY?
I had a buddy of mine enroll and graduate from the academy before me and he mentioned Mia Share as an option to me first. The instructor brought it up as well during my application and that’s the road I decided to take. I could have taken a loan out or paid bigger payments every month. But that would’ve made it harder to complete my course and properly participate in the classes as well. It was just too much out of pocket, up-front.
WHAT’S IT BEEN LIKE WORKING IN THE TRADE?
I actually had a career change a year after working in welding. I got into a couple of accidents and welding was so hard on my body, that it made me worry about the remainder of my career. Now I’m a heavy equipment operator. It’s a similar space, still in the trades, but it’s a little easier on the body.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR THOSE PURSUING A TRADE SCHOOL EDUCATION?
I would definitely recommend it to anyone who asks me about it. There's always work. No matter what trade you go into, you know that you’re never going to run out of work. It’s a high-demand industry and just about every trade needs skilled professionals, especially in welding. That was another big reason I went into the trade at first, the skill gap is ever-increasing, especially with this new generation.