When I think back to how I ended up in the trades, I realize it wasn’t just about choosing a career. It was about the people who believed in me, encouraged me, and showed me what was possible. Those people were role models — mentors, coworkers, and speakers who shared their journeys.

Role models can change the entire direction of a young person’s life. Sometimes it only takes one story, one conversation, or one example to spark a dream and give someone the courage to follow it.

Why Role Models Matter

Young people are constantly being told what they “should” do. Go to college. Pick a stable career. Do what’s expected. But role models cut through that noise. They show students what’s real, what’s possible, and what’s worth pursuing.

When students see someone who looks like them, talks like them, or has a similar background, it sends a powerful message: If they can do it, maybe I can too. That’s the spark that role models provide — belief.

My Own Mentors

I wouldn’t be where I am today without the people who guided me along the way.

There was the journeyman who let me shadow him even when I barely knew how to hold a tool properly. He didn’t laugh at my mistakes — he used them to teach me. That patience gave me confidence.

There were the colleagues who pushed me to go after my Master Electrician license when I doubted myself. They saw potential in me before I saw it in myself.

And there were mentors outside the trades — community leaders who showed me that leadership doesn’t come from a title, it comes from service. Watching them inspired me to give back, not just in my work but in my community.

These people shaped my path more than they probably realize.

Speaking to Students

One of the most meaningful parts of my life now is speaking at schools. I walk into classrooms filled with curious faces and share my story — how I became a Master Electrician, how I ran my own businesses, and why I believe the trades are an incredible career path.

At first, some students look at me with surprise. They’re not used to seeing a woman in a hard hat and steel-toed boots. But that’s exactly why it matters. I want young girls and boys alike to see that the trades are open to everyone.

After these talks, students often come up with questions:

• “How much do apprentices get paid?”
  
• “What tools should I learn first?”
  
• “Did people doubt you when you started?”
  

Those questions tell me something important — they’re imagining themselves in my shoes. And that’s the first step toward a career choice.

One Story Can Change Everything

I’ve seen firsthand how one role model can change a student’s future.

A few years ago, I spoke to a group of high schoolers. Afterward, a quiet student stayed behind to ask about apprenticeship programs. Months later, I ran into her again — she had signed up for pre-apprenticeship training and was excited about starting her career.

That conversation had sparked something. And I know she’ll go on to inspire others just by being visible in the trades.

Stories like that remind me why it’s so important for tradespeople — and really anyone — to step into schools and share what they do. You never know who’s listening or how your story might land.

Representation Matters

When role models reflect the diversity of a community, it opens doors wider. I’ve had young women tell me they’d never considered a career in the trades until they heard me speak. For them, just seeing someone like me was proof it could be done.

It’s the same for students from different cultural backgrounds or family situations. Representation tells them: There’s a place for you here. Without that, many would never take the leap.

How to Be a Role Model

The best part is, you don’t have to be perfect to be a role model. You just have to be real.

Here are a few simple ways anyone can step into that role:

• Share your story — talk about the challenges, not just the successes.
  
• Be approachable — let young people ask questions and answer honestly.
  
• Offer encouragement — sometimes a single “You can do this” is all it takes.
  
• Show up — at schools, community centers, or even informal events. Presence matters.
  
• Lead by example — how you carry yourself on the job and in the community teaches more than words ever could.
  

Being a role model isn’t about being flawless. It’s about being authentic and willing to share your journey.

The Ripple Effect

The most powerful thing about role models is the ripple effect they create. One student gets inspired, follows a path, and eventually becomes a role model for someone else. That cycle keeps growing, building stronger communities and industries.

I’ve seen it in the trades — apprentices who were once shy and unsure now mentoring the next generation. It’s a chain reaction, and it all starts with one person daring to share their story.

Lighting the Way

Looking back, I can trace my career to the mentors and role models who lit the path for me. And now, I see it as my responsibility — and privilege — to light the way for others.

The power of role models isn’t in grand gestures or perfect lives. It’s in showing up, being honest, and proving that dreams are possible.

If you’ve ever thought, I don’t have much to offer, think again. Your story might be exactly what someone needs to hear to take that first step.

Because at the end of the day, careers aren’t just chosen — they’re inspired. And role models are the spark that makes it happen.