When did your love of STEM begin?

In 2017, my best friend Matt purchased a home and wanted to complete renovations. Both of us at the time were what you would call ‘Green’: someone who has no construction experience. With the help of YouTube, friends, and Google we replaced kitchen cabinets, renovated bathrooms and completed an unfinished basement. It was through this process I discovered I loved working with my hands. I felt empowered and proud of each new thing I completed. I knew then, this was something I would like to do for a career. This started me on my new journey of becoming the Electrical Apprentice I am today.

What is the best part about working in the field of STEM?

I had come to realize, for the first time in my life I have what I consider ‘Independence’! Being in the skilled trades has given me the confidence, skills, and community to complete any work tasks or tackle home projects. No two projects are 100% alike and inevitably I learn something new almost every day I go to work. Because of this, I have developed the courage to try new things, fail, stand back up, and repeat until success. Confidence is built by competence and this is the winning formula. Car repairs were never something I would consider before, yet now I have the basic skills, confidence to try, and invaluable community of extremely intelligent people willing to help. It is liberating to be able to fix your own things and it saves money too. Additionally, electrical apprentices with the IBEW have great health benefits and great pay. For the first time in my life my job will provide a pension. All these aspects lead to my independence and my sense of financial security. I now have a job that I am passionate about and gives me that chance to ‘Thrive not just Survive’. I have learned that through efforts of simply trying new things, we build our confidence.

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in STEM?

Try! You never know if you truly enjoy something until you try. The truth is you spend more time at work than you do at home, and finding something you love is the best thing you could do for your future. Going to work doesn’t feel like work if you enjoy your job.