After our students graduate from SCTCC, anything can happen. We have graduates all over the world, grads who have been on Wheel of Fortune, others who have progressed to the top of their field with their two-year degree right here in Central Minnesota, and still more who now have a PhD.
The one thing our graduates have in common is how SCTCC helped them prepare, not just for their careers, but for how they interact in their communities and beyond.
Trevor Ford is a graduate and a new member of SCTCC’s Carpentry Advisory Board. Many students in the trades programs cite the hands-on experience and real-life learning opportunities as highlights, but one the key learning experiences Ford had was to make sure to ask questions when needed. That ability has been vital in his career path and has gone hand in hand with understanding how people work together. One thing he wishes he’d done to develop this further is get more involved with opportunities outside his program – clubs, on-campus events, connecting with other students.
“I didn't have a lot of free time to do other things, but I really wish I would have been able to, because I see the benefit of it now,” Ford shared. “The value of getting to know people outside of just your space is very crucial to just getting a better understanding of how everybody works together.”
Even so, Ford’s education prepared him for what he would experience in his career, which went beyond what he expected. The fundamental understanding of construction along with being comfortable to ask questions led him to leadership and management roles. When he started a job as a superintendent early in his career, he didn’t understand some of the processes, even though his education gave him a good base level.
“The people on site, they are the experts and do this day in and day out. What I learned at SCTCC propelled me to understand the process and be able to ask and answer questions,” he noted. His openness to connecting and learning from others was fundamental to his career growth and finding the position he’s currently in.
Ford is at KJ Construction as a Project Development Executive where he helped establish the new general contracting division of the company. When he was at SCTCC, he’d never imagined this would be a possibility for him.
“I didn’t realize that this was part of carpentry, but looking back, everything I learned in the program helped me to excel to where I am today,” Ford noted. “Be willing to look outside of what you may think is out there. There’s a lot of opportunity with this program.”
He’s excited to help shape how the program moves forward for those just starting in Carpentry. As an advisory board member, Ford will have the opportunity to provide input on how the program stays up to date to make sure graduates have skills they need to enter the workforce.
Ford is also excited about the overall potential in Central Minnesota for growth and expansion, whether it’s a career, personal goals, or something else: “The opportunities within this community are ever growing and changing, and I think it’s a really good place to be.”
From developing a career with a two-year degree to maxing out educational opportunities, either in Central Minnesota or worldwide, the key is keeping an open mind to the prospects that come your way. Ford is a perfect example to show that whatever your ambitions, SCTCC is the place to start.