Current Role: Senior Project Architect, BWBR

Sarah's journey from building drag cars with a bandsaw to designing Critical Access Hospitals across the Midwest began with Skills USA. That first memorable project sparked something unexpected: she placed second in competition and discovered her passion for turning ideas into tangible results.

Walking into her first college architecture courses, Sarah already had a solid foundation in CAD drafting and design principles that many of her classmates were seeing for the first time. But it wasn't just the software skills that mattered—those collaborative high school projects taught her how to work with teams and manage complex timelines, abilities that still serve her today.

Current Role: Drainage Engineer, Kiewit

Trevor credits his technical education with giving him essential skills that set him apart in college and launched his engineering career. His experience with surveying, land development projects, and the year-long CAPSTONE project taught him the persistence and systematic approach he uses to solve complex drainage issues.

Trevor entered college ahead of his peers thanks to CAD proficiency and developed analytical skills. Now working as a drainage engineer at one of the nation's largest construction companies, he uses that analytical thinking and adaptability to tackle constantly evolving infrastructure problems.

Current Role: Commercial Construction Superintendent, Montage Builders, LLC

The Woods I-IV classes helped Connor realize he loved working with his hands far more than sitting behind a desk. This discovery steered him toward Construction Management in college, and his Skills USA experience introduced him to the disciplined planning that now guides his supervision of multi-million dollar commercial projects.

Today, as Connor oversees complex construction sites, he draws on everything from the proper tool techniques he learned in Woods class to his OSHA certification. The combination of hands-on training and systematic thinking he developed in high school gave him both the technical foundation and leadership mindset he relies on daily as a superintendent.

Current Role: Director of Safety at MGX Equipment & Owner of Whiteowl Safety Consulting LLC

DakotaHa's path from high school woodworking and metalworking classes to founding his own safety consulting business shows how practical skills can open doors you never expected. His coursework in Skilled and Technical Science classes gave him firsthand experience with the tools and hazards that workers encounter regularly—knowledge that became the foundation for understanding workplace safety on a deeper level.

What started as shop class safety lessons has evolved into a career helping businesses nationwide stay compliant and keep their workers safe. DakotaHa now supports companies of all sizes, from major corporations to small businesses, drawing on his foundation of hands-on experience solving safety challenges.

Current Role: Journeyman Electrician & Field Supervisor, Control Services Inc.

Brian served as a SkillsUSA chapter officer for three years in high school, leading community projects and gaining real-world experience that extended far beyond the classroom. This sustained leadership role developed his understanding of teamwork, responsibility, and service to others.

Brian believes that SkillsUSA membership gives job applicants a competitive edge, and his career trajectory as a field supervisor demonstrates the lasting impact. He continues to emphasize the importance of dependability and strong work ethic with the next generation of tradespeople and credits SkillsUSA with shaping his approach to work.

Current Role: Project Manager, Peacock + Lewis

As part of the inaugural cohort to complete all four years of the STEM Program, Vinnie developed 3D visualization skills and mastery of industry-standard software that directly translated to his architecture career. His team's CAPSTONE project didn't just teach technical skills, it won first place against competing schools—an achievement that still hangs proudly in the PLHS drafting studio.

The presentation and communication skills he developed in high school gave him confidence throughout architecture school and now enable him to present design concepts to diverse clients in boardrooms around the world, working on private golf, yacht, and country club projects internationally.