Q: What do you like best about working here?
A: I have fun. I come to work happy and I leave happy. I get to play with big toys all day. I’m on a team – we work together. I feel like I make a difference.
Q: What does this job mean to you?
A: I’m big about family. This job is a career for me. It has enabled me to start my life – buy a home, and prepare for starting a family. It means stability and quality of life.
Q: Talk about your path from high school to Corrado.
A: I went to Lake Forest High School, majoring in AutoCAD – drafting both by hand and digitally. After high school, I joined the Air Force Reserves. I also tended bar and then managed bars for five years. My girlfriend, who worked in the office at Corrado, put my name in for a job as a laborer. I started in May 2016.
I was familiar with machinery from working my parents’ property. The foreman I have worked with since I started quickly had me running the roller and the off-road truck. Then in Jan 2017, Corrado enrolled me in their Heavy Equipment Apprenticeship program, which ran for two years during the winter slow season. Now I can run anything.
Q: What do you think of the work/projects?
A: I think of all of our projects as a learning opportunity. No job is the same. I’m always learning. On every job, we move dirt. On every job, we put down utility pipe. But the fine details are always different. You never know what you’re going to find underground and sometimes we have to reconfigure our plan. I’m motivated to do the best that I can, as fast as I can, safely.
Q: How would you describe the culture of the company?
A: Good. There are amazing people who work here and it’s a great work environment. Everyone is positive. But – there are a lot of older guys. The younger guys don’t want to get their hands dirty…or it’s too cold or too hot. The older guys are good role models – their old school work ethics will be hard to replace.
Q: How does working here compare to other jobs you’ve had?
A: My other jobs weren’t a career. I can see myself reaching my goals and beyond with Corrado.