I started my construction career straight out of high school. I could barely hit a nail with a hammer then, but training was offered on the job. Today, I’m a laborer and forklift operator with A.M. Cohron & Son Inc., and I’m participating in our company’s crane operator training program.

I enrolled in the nine-month heavy equipment certificate program at NCK Tech in Beloit the fall after I graduated high school. Near the end of the program, Stan Hambright from Bayer Construction in Manhattan came to talk to our class, and he hired me basically on the spot.

I didn’t really have construction experience before working at MJE, but a friend told me I should apply, and the money was great, so I did. I’ve always felt like you can learn whatever you need on the job — work ethic matters more than anything.

My school had a program that would let you apprentice after graduation and learn the equipment for the industry. After that apprenticeship, I was hired as a laborer at Koss Construction. I’ve been promoted several times, most recently to a salaried position as a paving foreman.

I started right out of high school. I talked with one of the owners at my graduation party. He said “What are you doing on Monday?” I started on the jobsite and I’ve been there ever since.