Trades is a career opportunity that most high school students are unaware of. Students often think they need to go to college and universities to achieve careers in life when in reality there are other options and other opportunities that students can take advantage of.
Wood tech teacher Joshua Galati hosted a guest speaker’s day on Oct. 24 in his room for most wood tech classes to provide opportunities to students. One of the guest speakers was Kelley Pfeiffer, director of membership and workforce development for the Home Builders Association of St. Louis and Eastern Missouri, exposes students to opportunities in trades.
“We find that a lot of students, and rightfully so, in a collegiate options, both two year and four year schools,” Pfeiffer said. “However, there are some options to enter the trades, which is an industry that has people retiring at a very fast rate.”
Not only does this expose opportunities where you don’t have to pay for college, but also a job that could have you retiring very fast. In addition to the offers and opportunities Pfeiffer explained, Chris Adair gave his insight in the Carpenters Union.
“I tell them the good, the bad, and the ugly,” Adair said. “There are hard things about being a carpenter but also good things. I tell them so they have an accurate picture of what it looks like being a carpenter.”
With these two sources, students can accurately make their decisions for their futures. These speakers as well as Galati’s class have inspired class and given students ways to express themselves as well.
MJ Jones (9) expressed that she deeply enjoys carpentry and her love for Galati’s class. “I don’t plan on pursuing a career in carpentry,” Jones said.
“But I do want to keep it as a hobby. It’s always nice to have a hobby or just something to do besides work. I can also fix my house instead of wasting thousands on a repairman.”
Unlike MJ, Sebastian Tabers (12) is interested in maybe joining this field.
“I wasn’t planning on pursuing trades until I heard the presentation,” Tabers said. “I think I’ve been considering it more. I still don’t know what I’m going to do but I think that trades are more important than sitting at a desk.”
