[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” parallax_speed=”0.3″ video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” overlay_color=”” video_preview_image=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” padding_right=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” center_content=”no” last=”no” min_height=”” hover_type=”none” link=””][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” class=”” id=””]
As a working single mother of three, it has always been a goal of mine to go back to school. I had been tired of working for a company that I knew wasn’t going to take me where I needed to go. With a lack of career advancements I longed for something different, I knew I wanted to stay within the construction industry but I didn’t know exactly what to do to get there.
I attended an orientation where I met Ester from Tradeswomen, Inc. who introduced me to the Green Energy Training Services (GETS) program at Rising Sun Energy Center. I realized that this wasn’t just an orientation where you could only get certificates, but it was a program where you could actually start a career in any trade within the union. I became more excited because I had always wanted to learn more about the construction industry and never knew how broad of an industry it was.
Being in this program I was very motivated at first because, I said to myself “okay, this is going to be a breeze, I’m going to get this and that done in this amount of time.” Knowing that nothing ever goes as planned, I had taken the construction inspector test and failed it by 7%. I became discouraged and ready to quit, blinded by one setback. I felt like this program was a waste of time. But with the support of my man and friends, they quickly opened my eyes to realize the bigger picture, that I’d come so far, and I wasn’t going to give up because of one test score. I wasn’t going to let any negativity influence my determination to become successful. This program wasn’t a waste of time, I learned so much that I didn’t know before.
My favorite part of the program was being able to work side by side with Ms. Juanita seeing not only a woman but a black woman who has become so successful in this industry was very encouraging. She showed me a lot of things I had never tried to do before. With her by my side, I pushed my strengths in a different way mentally and physically, having “thick skin” is what she called it.
Now looking at the cup half full and not empty, I see that every accomplishment doesn’t always have to be big. Even though I am not currently where I want to be I know that I will get there. And because I am not going to give up I will be back at Local 3 to reapply and retake my test. I am going to be my kids leading example of a winner, proving that as long as you put forth the effort you can achieve anything. I want to be their motivation as they are for me.
Written by: Tiffany White, Green Energy Training Services Alumna 2018
[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
