Skills That Pay

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

Riley’s path into the trades began in her garage, wrenching on a Jeep alongside her dad, where she discovered she loved working with her hands and the satisfaction of fixing things herself. She carried that interest into a two-year automotive program at @collincollege_automotive. Right out of school, Riley landed a job at @randsteroffroad in Wylie, Texas, where she’s spent the past year putting her training to work. For Riley, the people she works with every day are what make the field truly enjoyable.
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#auto #mechanic #workethic

Encouraged by his grandfather—an electrician for nearly four decades—Jonah enrolled in the Electrical Construction & Maintenance program at Dunwoody College of Technology.

Jonah is now a licensed journeyman working at Design Electric He works on VA remodels to hospitals, medical buildings, and airplane hangars. No two days look the same, and that’s exactly why he loves it.

Outside of work, Jonah enjoys time with his family and ice fishing through Minnesota winters. His advice to others considering the trades? Try it, there are more paths in electrical work than most people realize.
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#electrician #fishing #workethic

Last time we heard from Julieanne in 2023, she was in the middle of her nine-month program in autobody collision and repair at @wyotech_edu. Since then, she was hired right out of school at @excelbodyworks in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where she’s been working for the past nine months prepping and painting vehicles in the shop’s paint booth. Working within a small team of ten, the shop turns out a multitude of cars every week. Julieanne says she’s learning something new everyday and is grateful for the opportunity to work with her hands. When she’s not working she enjoys spending time with her husband, Jared!
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#workethic #trades #auto

What started as a birthday photo in front of a family friend’s J3 Piper Cub when Stella was 15 turned into her first flight with a family friend. She still flies with that same family friend today and often uses the plane to log practice hours. From that moment on, she was hooked and knew she wanted to fly planes.

Stella joined the Civil Air Patrol and attended the Robert Ayer’s Flight Academy in Maryland where she earned her pilot’s license at 17. She’s now in her second semester studying aviation at @polk_state. She just earned her Instrument pilot license—a milestone that requires longer hours, more technical training, and the ability to fly through less-than-ideal conditions.

Stella wants to fly commercially with Atlas Air and one day pilot “the Queen of the Skies,” the Boeing 747. When she’s not flying or studying, she’s usually fishing, camping, lobster diving with her family, or picking up new hobbies like cooking and crafting. A motto she lives by: “You don’t get anywhere by not trying.”
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#pilot #aviation #workethic

Josh enrolled in a 16-week program at @northwestlinemancollege in Idaho in 2022. The course was fast-paced—by the third day, he was already climbing poles. That hands-on, straight-to-the-point training gave him the foundation he needed to launch his career in the power industry.

After graduating, he spent eight months working with Mountain State Line Contractors before signing on to a four-year apprenticeship with them. The program rotates apprentices through a variety of contracts, giving him the chance to work on everything from transmission lines to underground. He’s traveled across Idaho and Colorado, camper in tow, enjoying the flexibility and adventure that comes with the job. In about a year and a half, he’ll test for his journeyman’s license.

Friends in the trade and the promise of steady work originally drew Josh to line work—because no matter what, people will always need power.
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#lineman #workethic #hardwork

Shoutout to 2025 scholarship recipient Talia for getting her private pilot license! 🎉🎉
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#pilot #aviation #workethic

Jake got his start in high school automotive classes, where he learned pretty quickly that he liked working with his hands and solving problems that didn’t come with an instruction manual. That interest followed him into @skillsusa competitions, where he worked his way through district and state levels and landed second place in Texas for Automotive Service Technology.

After high school, Jake enrolled in the diesel equipment technology program at Texas State Technical College. During his final semester, he worked full time as a shop helper at @altecinc. He showed up, paid attention, and didn’t cut corners. After graduating in 2024, Altec hired him full-time as a Tech Level 1.

Jake credits his single mom for instilling work ethic early on. Outside of work, he lifts at the gym, plays video games, and spends time with friends and family—then comes back to the shop to do it again.
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#diesel #technician #workethic

Swipe to see Wesley’s update at @tstcedu ➡️
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#welding #workethic

Juan joined the Marine Corps at 18 and spent four years serving as a communication radio operator during two tours in Iraq. The discipline and grit he learned during his service shaped how he tackles any job. Back home, he worked jobs from private security to pharmacy tech, but he kept thinking about the summers he spent helping a friend’s dad in HVAC, where he first got hooked on electrical work.

At 35, he made the decision to enroll in the electrical technology program at @perry_tech and graduated last year. Today, Juan’s an electrical trainee at Titan Electrical, rewiring homes, replacing panels, and learning the trade alongside a journeyman. “Don’t think you’re stuck doing anything,” he says. “The last thing I want is to look back and regret not making a move.”

Off the clock, Juan spends time with his family and coaches Pee Wee football—shoutout to the Yakima Vipers! Thank you for your service, Juan.

#electrician #workethic #america