Sole Education Fall 2019: Meet the Students

We are excited to bring Sole Education back for a second semester! This time, we decided to bring on three new students, with three different skilled trades paths. Let's jump in and meet them!

Meet Michael:

My name is Michael. I am fifty-three years old and have worked in professional sales for over twenty-five years. I live in Westerly, RI, and have been married to my wife, Tonya, for twenty-seven years. We have one child, Benjamin. He is a freshman at Providence College.I LOVE the trades! Since the age of six, I had a keen interest in tools and trades. My Dad, Pat (retired), was a hard-working man. Although he did not work in the trades himself, he was a very skilled handyman. As I grew up, he taught me much of what I know today and fostered my love for working with tools and using my hands to solve problems. To this day, he is my role model.Throughout middle and high school, I elected to take Shop classes and completed all of my college prep requirements ahead of schedule so that I could participate in our Cooperative Education program. That program allowed me to leave school early and work in the trades.After high school, I became the first person in my family to attend college. Since graduation, and I have lived a very productive and secure life. Yet, I always felt I ignored my true passion and strong desire to work in the trades.At age 53, I have embarked on the next phase of my life. I work for A&L Mechanical as an Apprentice Plumber and am enrolled in Plumbing school with the Rhode Island Association of Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Contractors. I LOVE it! Not only am I learning something new every day, it feels great to solve problems and help people when they need it the most.Good days, bad days, all days bring a smile to my face!

Meet Riley:

My name is Riley Schwab, I am 19, and I was born and raised in a small southern Iowa town called Lamoni. My family owns a cattle ranch that I have worked on my entire life.I wasn't planning on continuing my education after high school but decided that it would be a smart idea to have a backup plan in case something happens with our ranch.I am in my second year in the Heating, Air conditioning, and Refrigeration program at Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny, Iowa. Before coming to DMACC, I had no idea how an HVAC system even operated, but through my training and a summer internship, I have gained so much knowledge.This past summer, I worked for Schaal Heating and Cooling for my internship hours and was able to understand the industry and how it works. I'm enjoying my time at DMACC so far, and I am happy I decided to attend this college!

Meet Logan:

My name is Logan Lawson. I was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and grew up in Clearfield, IA. Clearfield is a tiny town, and half of my family lives there. I am currently going to Southwestern Community College in Creston, IA, for welding, and this my first year. I never welded before in my life. Even though we had a welding shop in my high school, I never did it.All throughout high school, I took carpentry classes. My dad is a carpenter, and I was good at it too. When I graduated from high school, I went to Denison Job Corps for carpentry. I was there for a year and got my diploma. I was so happy that I got it. When I got home, I started working for a carpenter. I was doing good, but I wasn't making enough to pay my bills. They would cut my hours, and I had enough. I decided to look for a different carpentry job, but couldn't find any. My mother told me that Dalton AG, Inc. was hiring, so I applied and got a full-time job working in fabrication and assembly, and have worked with them for the last year.We have welders there as well, I was never interested in welding, but my boss told me to try it out, and I liked it. It wasn't long after that I told my boss that I am going back to school to get my welding degree.I have three jobs now. I still work at Dalton's part-time in the mornings from 6 am -10 am, and my second job is in the evening from 4 pm -8 pm at Wellman's. Both are factory jobs, but it pays the bills. On the weekends, I work with my dad doing side jobs. The reason why I work three jobs is to help my mother and brother. They enjoy it and are glad that I can help out.When I get my degree, I plan on finding a job around Maryville, Missouri, as a welder. Follow along with our students progress here.Learn more about the Generation T movement here.

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