A Simple Cup of Coffee Blog February
Mark P. Martinez
“Sometimes you find the dog; sometimes the dog finds you.” – Greg Brown
Does one choose a career in the trades, or does a trade choose you? A difficult question. As a newly graduated high-schooler, I really hadn’t thought of my post-secondary plan other then I was likely going to college at some point. But I had just finished 4 years at a prep school (OK, Bellarmine Prep in Tacoma- Go Lions!) and was not looking forward to going university soon. I happened to run into my old Scout Master and he asked where I was going to college. I told him I thought I would take some time off, find a job, and see what the future brings. His reply? “Come work for me. I’ll work you so hard that you will be begging to go back to school in the fall.” That was the only lie the man ever told me.
Vince Pirak (the old Tahoma Roofing) was my first boss, and as I look back, my first mentor. He took a risk and hired me. I went to work and found a career. I loved the craft. It was hard, dirty, and dangerous work, but one of great satisfaction. I was making twice the minimum wage at the time-not bad for a kid in 1976. I went though my apprenticeship at Tahoma and thank Vince every day for the chance to prove that this skinny runt could work hard and learn a skill.
My son Darius, on the other hand, always had the trades in mind for his career path. He is a smart kid but hated school. He would ace tests but seldom turned in homework. He only graduated high school because of the metal shop classes he was able to take. He is now a Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker out of Local #66. Making more money than I do. Atta boy….
Its not so much if you choose or experience chooses for you. The larger question is are you open to other pathways when looking for a career? The K-12 system, to their credit, has become more open to Career and Technical Education, but still has a college bias when advising students. Get past that notion and give the entire universe of post-secondary educational opportunities space so that you can explore.
In the end, I don’t know if I chose the trade or if the trade chose me. My choice was to stay in the craft, learn as much as I could, and become a skilled craftsperson that could be employed by any contractor, on any project, in any location. That choice has opened up opportunities in the construction industry that I never imagined as skinny kid looking for a job.
Being a roofer, I have found pride in my craft and mastering a trade. I have been able to provide well for my family, become a home-owner, take vacations, and enjoy life. My satisfaction came in using my hands, problem solving and seeing the final result of hard work.
As my career in the trades winds down, I’m going to grab the fishing pole and let that dog find me……
by Mark P. Martinez
This blog post was prepared by Mark Martinez, Executive Secretary of the WA Building & Construction Trades Council, in his personal capacity. The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of the Construction Center of Excellence, Renton Technical College, or the State Board of Community & Technical Colleges.
