Skills That Pay

When the power in your home gets knocked out in a storm, the countdown begins. How long it will be before the power flickers back on? When will the battery on your phone flatline? When will the ice cream in the freezer turn to soup? Well, if Dawson is on the job, it’s a safe bet the ice cream will be saved, and you’ll be back to scrolling on your phone in no time.

Last year, Dawson headed south from his Ohio home to Georgia where he attended the Southeast Linemen Training Center. He took on a 15-week course that started in the classroom and ended at the top of a power pole. One of the core memories of his training was “Storm Night”, where his instructors cut a bunch of lines and downed poles to stimulate a storm. Their only command to the class? “Fix it.”

While this seems like a supercharged career path, splicing power lines and installing transformers aren’t Dawson’s only skills. He also happens to know his way around an acetylene torch. As Dawson likes to tell it, he “welded his way through high school.” As soon as he got his driver’s license, Dawson customized his Suzuki van and hit the road through Wyoming, Kansas, and Texas taking on random gigs. If there was a spot that needed welding, Dawson was there.

In between his welding gigs, Dawson sold livestock all across the country with the support of his dad, who happens to be an AG teacher. As if that weren’t enough, during COVID, while much of the world was on pause, Dawson was out honing his skills as a diesel mechanic.

Clearly, Dawson had many viable career paths to choose from, but it was the call of the power lines that won out. Now, he hopes to lock down a permanent job back in Ohio. But as with every trade skill, Dawson can work just about anywhere. And get this, he’s just 19.

So, the next time the power goes out in your house, spare a thought for Dawson and the other hard-working crews who are putting their lives on the line for us, literally and figuratively.
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#lineman #trades #workethic

Meet Bryson.

Bryson and his wife Katelyn recently bought their first home in Geneva, Alabama. Not bad for a guy who, just a few years ago, was splitting his time between high school classes, aviation training, and weekend music gigs. Bryson first discovered aviation in high school through a program offered in partnership with Alabama Aviation College. By his senior year, he was fully enrolled in the Airframe Technology program while still finishing high school, and just one semester after graduation, he had completed his associate degree completely debt-free.

Instead of rushing straight into the workforce, Bryson spent a year doing something else he loved—music. After playing guitar since age nine, he was performing nearly 70 gigs a year across south Alabama, singing 90’s country and rock almost every weekend. That year turned out to be one of the most important of his life. One night, while playing at an oyster bar, Bryson found a phone number sitting in his tip jar. He called the girl who left it. Six months later they were engaged. Six months after that, they were married.

While Bryson was playing music, he kept close tabs on job openings an applied for a position with M1 Support Services, a military contractor at Fort Rucker. Eventually, persistence paid off. Today, he works on heavy maintenance and inspections for helicopters, helping ensure every aircraft is ready for flight before it leaves the ground. His favorite part of the job is watching something he’s worked on take flight and knowing his work helped make it happen. When he’s not maintaining aircraft, he’s leading contemporary music at his church, playing golf with Katelyn, watching football, grilling on the porch, or trying to keep up with Smokey, their goldendoodle.
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#workethic #aviation

Meet Sienna.

Fresh off earning her welding degree, she went to @skillsusa National Leadership & Skills Conference earlier this month and explored the competition floor, checked out welding sculptures that looked suspiciously like actual art, and talked with the students who built them. She had a chance to talk to employers and attend a Women in Welding panel featuring some of the best-known names in the business. One of the most informative stops was a session about the instructor side of welding, because she’s already thinking about how she might teach it.

She also managed to squeeze in her second-ever baseball game, her first-ever Topgolf experience, a national awards ceremony, and approximately 14 miles of walking through convention centers.

By the end of the week, Sienna went home with enough traded pins to make airport security nervous. That’s the funny thing about NLSC. People show up for a competition, a conference, or a credential, and leave with a bunch of things they weren’t expecting—new connections, new ideas, and, in Sienna’s case, a clearer picture of what comes next.

It’s a good reminder that not every lesson happens in a classroom. Sometimes it happens while trading pins with strangers from 50 states.

Be like Sienna and apply for a work ethic scholarship today #linkinbio
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#welding #skills #workethic

Meet Paige.

This week, she graduated from @linnbentoncommunitycollege’s Machine Tool Technology program in Albany, Oregon🎉. Outside of school, she worked with @soaringbythesea, where she helped build and install Browning M2 .50-caliber machine guns on a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk—a World War II fighter aircraft that first took flight more than 80 years ago.

Now, she’s working full-time at McCluskey Arms as a gunsmith and machinist, specializing in shotgun repair and customization. There she’ll put her new skills to work on larger projects that will help the company expand its operations. When she’s not in the shop, you’ll likely find Paige horseback riding or scuba diving.

Be like Paige and apply for a work ethic scholarship today #linkinbio
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#workethic #machining #work

Meet Ayden. At just 19 years old, he’s already running two businesses—an asphalt maintenance company and a tent rental business—all while building a career as a lineman.

It’s clear work ethic runs in his blood. Growing up, Ayden spent countless hours helping his dad with the family construction business, where hard work wasn’t encouraged—it was expected. After high school, he took that mindset with him, earned a work ethic scholarship, and enrolled at @sltc99. There, he earned the distinction of being named “Best All Around” in his pole circle.

Now that Ayden has graduated he has set his sights set on joining the local IBEW union in Pennsylvania and growing his businesses. When he’s not working, you’ll likely find him enjoying the outdoors hunting and fishing, and riding his side-by-side.

Be like Ayden and apply for a work ethic scholarship today #linkinbio
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#lineman #power #workethic

Victoria has been quite busy since we last checked in with her. Since launching Hard Hats and Heels, she’s combined construction and real estate to carve out a niche in remodeling and flipping homes throughout Michigan. She and her fiancé have built a portfolio of six properties while growing H3 Home Designs—a brand focused on quality craftsmanship in a market too often filled with mold, rot, and quick fixes. She recently earned her associate broker’s license and is now developing an online course to help real estate agents better understand what they’re selling and how to build equity the right way.

These days, Victoria is also using her platform to advocate for the skilled trades by speaking at expos and industry events across the country. She says some of the most meaningful conversations happen when students start asking questions about careers in the trades. That’s how we change the conversation around the trades.

Be like Victoria and apply for a work ethic scholarship #linkinbio
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#workethic #construction #scholarship

Ayden is in his second year of flight training at @wsutech, and he recently finished his commercial certification. This phase has pushed him deeper into the technical side of aviation, from aerodynamics and weather to decision-making and aircraft control. In the air, that translates to mastering advanced maneuvers that test precision and awareness, including steep turns, stalls, lazy eights, and eights on pylons.

His interest in aviation was inspired by his grandfather, who worked as a flight engineer and grew after volunteering at a WWII B-29 Superfortress where he was invited to fly.

As the semester ends, Ayden is preparing for his next chapter, earning his Certified Flight Instructor certification and multi-engine rating.

Be like Ayden and apply today for a work ethic scholarship #linkinbio
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#workethic #aviation #scholarship

Aleks is set to graduate this month from North Bennet Street School. He started in modern carpentry before earning his way into the restoration and historic carpentry program, where he found himself pulled toward architectural carving—the more detailed side of the trade. These days, he splits his time between high-end finish work, building custom pieces like doors, and driving over an hour to study carving under a European master who’s been at it for decades.

Getting there hasn’t been simple. At 10, Aleks lost his left leg to osteosarcoma and has worked on a prosthetic ever since. Years later, he was training to qualify for short distance sprints for the Paralympics, but sustained an injury that disqualified him.

That didn’t stop Aleks when it came to his craft—timber framing, handling heavy material, long days. He’s taken on all of it, including the most physically demanding parts of the job. Over time, he’s enjoyed moving towards the precision side of the craft, where the work slows down and the margin for error gets smaller.

Be like Aleks and apply for a work ethic scholarship today #linkinbio
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#workethic #craft #wood

In 9th grade, Matt’s mom signed him up for a basic plumbing and electrical class—he wasn’t exactly thrilled about it. She told him in a worst-case scenario, he’d learn how to fix things in his own house someday. Turns out, she was right. Somewhere between his first wiring project and realizing he actually liked the work, something clicked—this wasn’t just a class, it was a direction.

So he followed it. After high school, Matt enrolled in an electrical tech program at Triangle Technical Institute in Pennsylvania. He went on to spend seven years with a small residential contractor, getting real-world experience and sharpening his skills. But eventually, he hit a ceiling and wanted to explore a new path. Today, he’s one of nine in-house electricians at Fortune 500 company, Erie Insurance, helping keep an entire data center running. On any given day, he’s maintaining massive backup power systems, lighting buildings, or leading renovation projects. Not bad for a kid who almost didn’t take the class.

Ask him about job security and he doesn’t hesitate. “There’s no shortage of work.” And he believes it—because he’s lived it. These days, when Matt’s not working, he’s with his wife, out fly-fishing, or driving past something he helped build and thinking, “I wired that”. It’s a quiet kind of satisfaction. The kind you don’t get from guessing. The kind you get from doing. The moral of the story is, listen to your mom!
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#workethic #electrician #work

Maryssa just filled us in on some BIG news! 👏

Swipe to see her update
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#workethic #work #trades

Daisy bought her first car at 17, thinking it just needed a little work. It turned out it needed a lot more love than a little work. Lucky for her, the mechanic she went to stepped in, showed her the ropes, and turned a bad purchase into something far more useful—a skill set. This sparked Daisy’s interest in being able to know how to fix things for herself.

Growing up with a single mom, Daisy learned early how to pull her weight. She worked her way through San Bernardino Valley College, spending a couple years learning both diesel and automotive technology while holding jobs at an auto parts store and a fire truck dealer. Somewhere along the way, a mentor gave her a simple tip: “If you want to go where the money is, learn diesel.” Daisy didn’t argue. She got to work.

Today, she’s a mechanic for the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, keeping emergency vehicles ready for when they’re needed most. She says there is no shortage of work and that job security has never been a concern. When she’s off the clock, she’s either on the soccer field or remodeling her first home. It seems the “I can fix this” spirit has served her well!
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#workethic #diesel #tech

Seth began his aviation journey at FlightGest Academy in North Carolina. His interest in aviation was sparked by a close friend who flew Black Hawk helicopters and introduced him to a flight simulator. Before pursuing aviation, Seth served as a military police officer, primarily stationed at Fort Bragg. He developed strong leadership, coordination, and safety skills that carried over into his work as a pilot.

Now in his second year of training, he has earned his multi-engine commercial rating and is working toward his multi-engine instructor certificate, a key step in becoming more competitive in the industry. Seth has his sights set on joining a major airline within the next five years. Away from flying, he enjoys spending time fishing and turkey hunting.

Applications for our work ethic scholarship are open! Go get some 💰#linkinbio
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#workethic

Brian started his career as a firefighter, but after several years of service he had a change of heart when a friend introduced him to the electrical trade. He quickly realized he loved the daily problem-solving that comes with keeping things wired, working, and running safely. With the help of a work ethic scholarship, he earned his electrical technology degree from San Joaquin Valley College and became a certified journeyman electrician at @ranchopacificelectric. Today, he’s 37, owns his home in Riverside, California, and recently welcomed his third child.

Brian says he’s “living the dream”. He believes the trades are one of the best ways to serve your community, by learning a skill that brings real value to others. It’s a lesson he’s passing on to his kids. Recently, his nine-year-old son, Wyland, started his own recycling business and rides around the neighborhood on his electric bike with a homemade trailer collecting recyclables.

Work ethic scholarships are available now‼️

If you or someone you know is ready to enter the trades, head to the #linkinbio.
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#workethic

Derek, a 2021 scholarship recipient, just bought his first home!

Growing up, Derek worked alongside his parents renovating and maintaining homes for their rental business. He later pursued a two-year electrical technology program at @forthaysstate and now helps keep the campus running as its maintenance director. No two days look the same—one minute he’s tracking down a faulty switch, the next he’s repairing breakers, outlets, or emergency lighting, all using the skills he learned in school and working flipping homes. Today, Derek takes pride in knowing his efforts help keep the lights on so students can focus on learning the trades.

Work Ethic Scholarship Applications NOW OPEN‼️
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#scholarship #career #workethic

Dan enrolled at @dakotacountytechnicalcollege in 2013 in the Heavy Construction Equipment Technology program. In his final semester, he landed an internship with John Deere, which turned into a full-time role immediately after.

Now ten years in, Dan is a Tech Level 4—the highest technician role—and was named John Deere’s 2025 Technician of the Year. His career gave him a clear path for advancement, and today he earns well over six figures doing work he enjoys. His advice is simple: show up, work hard, do things right, and don’t complain.

Outside of his day-to-day work, Dan makes a point to give back. He’s volunteered with @skillsusa as a judge since 2015 and helped his company host competitions to support incoming talent. At 31, with four kids, including twins born in April last year, Dan says his career provides stability and constant learning.
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#technician #workethic #success

Jeremy’s path into the electrical trade started in an unexpected place—a correctional facility—where he was first introduced to the work. He took it seriously, finished his program, and completed his apprenticeship in 2019 at the top of his class.

Jeremy went on to earn his journeyman license at @millerelectricco and quickly proved he had a knack for teaching. The company created the new role as Regional Workforce Development Manager for Jeremy. From there, he helped build an intensive four-week program that connects high school students, technical college programs, and incarcerated individuals to careers in the electrical trade.

Jeremy says electrical work is growing faster than ever because of the data center boom—and the only way to keep up is to start training people now. This role is about paying it forward, and helping build the next generation of electricians.
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#electrician #workethic #america