Discovering Your Path: How Trade Careers Offer Stability, Growth, and Success
Unsure of what career path to take after graduation? You're not alone. While college may seem like the default option, it’s not the only way to a successful and fulfilling career. Trade jobs offer a unique opportunity for those who want to enter the workforce quickly and build a stable, high-paying career. In this article, three CCA alumni — Grayson Barthelemy (Class of 2023), Eric Trowbridge (Class of 2022), and Anthony Haley (Class of 2021) — share their success stories in trades.
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Trade jobs offer stability, high earning potential, and the opportunity to build a long-lasting career with practical skills. While seeking a four-year degree has many benefits, pursuing a trade job can also be a rewarding and practical career choice for several reasons. These professions offer high demand, a shorter education path, hands-on work, good earning potential, and career growth.
Many fields incorporate trade professions that attract both men and women. Some examples include interior design, cosmetology, carpentry, culinary, and electrical work. Here are the stories of just a few of our alumni who are finding success in their trade careers:
Grayson Barthelemy, Class of 2023
“During my two years attending CCA, my engineering teacher, Mr. Greene, encouraged me to pursue my long-time interest in engineering as a career. Unlike most high school graduates, I did not desire to attend a four-year university. I believed that the fast pace and exclusive focus in automated engineering made trade school the best option. After I brought it up to my CCA academic advisor, Dr. Cliff Mack, he advised me to attend Universal Technical Institute (UTI) to decide whether I should continue on this path.
Thanks in part to Dr. Mack, I chose UTI primarily because of their affiliation with Porsche’s Technician Apprenticeship Program. It was my dream to be selected as one of the 12 students chosen from 16 schools across the country. The Lord blessed my hard work, and the program officially accepted me in July 2024!
Attending a trade school gives you the opportunity to take a year to explore different career options and discover if you should continue to pursue your focus at a university. I am excited and expectant about what the Lord has for me in my future with Porsche.”
Attending a trade school gives you the opportunity to take a year to explore different career options and discover if you should continue to pursue your focus at a university.
Eric Trowbridge, Class of 2022
“I wasn't sure what direction my career would take after graduation, but I knew I didn’t want to head to college without a clear purpose. Thankfully, family and friends suggested I explore my childhood interest in planes and become a pilot. I decided to give it a shot and took a flight, not expecting it to become my career. From that very first flight, I felt God leading me down a new path. Along the way, I met amazing people who guided me to a top-notch flight training school and a supportive community eager to help me achieve my aviation dreams.
Over the past two years, I've been working hard to earn my commercial licenses and build up flight experience, all while being just across the street from CCA. Now, I’m excited to have the opportunity to pilot private jets. I've also learned the importance of meeting new people and making connections to help you move forward in your career.
My advice? Explore anything that piques your interest. You can’t truly know if you’ll like something until you try it, and classrooms don’t always reveal the full range of possibilities out there. Don’t hesitate to step outside your comfort zone; every experience offers a chance to grow and learn.”
Don’t hesitate to step outside your comfort zone; every experience offers a chance to grow and learn.
Anthony Haley, Class of 2021
“My five years at CCA blessed me with faculty and staff that helped guide me through my life with God, relationships, career, and many other things. Ultimately, I chose to pursue a career in Construction because of my family who also work in this industry. I saw how buildings went from just a drawing on a paper to something in the field. At CCA, I enrolled in engineering classes all four years of high school, which forged an idea of what the construction work, drawing, and math would be like.
After graduating, I went straight to working full time in construction and taking night classes in the Construction Technology program at Broward College. This program set me up with the same books needed to study for the General Contractor's License.
I am still young in my career path, but I have found success in consistently wanting to learn more and putting in long hours. My next goal is to have my General Contractor’s license within the next year, which will enable me to be more valuable to employers or eventually start my own company.
If there are a few things I can say to someone looking to pursue a trade, it’s this: trade careers are not for the weak minded. Have an interest in the trade, and fully commit to the hours needed to learn. There are not as many people replacing the current workforce as the skilled people leaving. Whatever skill you choose will be valuable, whether it be an electrician, plumber, HVAC, general contractor, or any other field.”
These three alumni are only a small portion of those finding success in a trade! If you find yourself or your child thinking of pursuing a trade, try researching to explore the different fields that may suit your interest and skills. Talk to professionals in the trade you are considering, learn what the first steps are to get licensed, and then build your experience. Above all, ask God’s wisdom in the choosing process. He will guide you.
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” –Proverbs 16:3
Author Bio:
CeCe Jacob is the Alumni Relations Coordinator and Worship Leader for Calvary Christian Academy. She has a professional background in PR and marketing with a bachelor’s degree in public relations from the University of Florida. CeCe and her husband, Jamie, attend Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale where they are both passionate about discipling the next generation.
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