Jacob wasn’t going to let his age hold him back from pursuing his goals. Just before graduating high school, Jacob’s guidance counselor told him about the FastForward program at Blue Ridge Community College. With his interest piqued, he enrolled and completed a welding course, which led to a full-time gig at the Shickel Corporation.
“At 19 years old, I do interesting things that make me want to come into work,” he said.
FastForward training is designed to help students prepare and earn their industry-recognized credentials and certifications. Training programs vary from industry to industry, but one thing that’s consistent is the expert and attentive faculty. Jacob reiterated how his teachers placed emphasis on making sure he understood the topics and processes they were teaching in class (see some of Jacob’s instructors from Blue Ridge in action here).
Doing something he loves enables Jacob to come in to work excited to do something different each day, and he encourages others like him to consider a similar path.
“For younger people that want to learn how to weld and want to weld for a living, the FastForward program at Blue Ridge is the way to go,” he said. “Don’t be afraid to go for your dreams. Don’t sit back and contemplate on the dreams, just go for it.”
To take the first step in chasing your dreams, get in touch with a FastForward Career Coach now.