Building Trades, 2022 Graduate
“Being a part of the Building Trades program helped me gain the skills, drive, and confidence to pursue a career in the bricklayers union.”
Keeping his mind busy with work helped Jonathan M. cope with the devastating loss of his mother when he was a teenager growing up in New York City. But after working in “countless menial jobs,” Jonathan realized he had a greater potential he wanted to fulfill, although he wasn’t sure where to start.
“I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do with my life or the next direction I wanted to go in,” said Jonathan. After moving to Troy, his sister encouraged him to consider enrolling in the Building Trades program at the EOC.
“My ultimate goal was to have a career that I love, and I enjoy working with my hands,” he said. “I saw how passionately and highly my brother and sister spoke about the EOC and its programs, so I decided to give it a shot.”
Attending the Building Trades program while working overtime hours proved to be a challenge, but Jonathan knew he had to prioritize his education in order to achieve his goals.
“The number one thing that kept me motivated during my time at the EOC was knowing how my life would change once I finished the program and entered into a trade,” he shared. “Financially and career-wise, a major change was about to unfold.”
Since completing the Building Trades program in June 2022, Jonathan has worked for a private construction company and is now employed as a union bricklayer for Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1 in New York City.
“Being a part of the Building Trades program helped me gain the skills, drive, and confidence to pursue a career in the bricklayers union,” Jonathan said. “I am excited about the doors that have opened, the people I have met along the way, and the career journey that is to come.”
In the future, Jonathan hopes to start his own masonry business.