Student Pursues Career as Electrician After Academy
by Mackenzie Ste. Marie, HBA of F-M Communications Intern
David Ebens went from a graduating senior who was unsure about what to do next, to a graduate with a solid plan. Like Ebens, many students approaching high school graduation still have up-in-the-air future career plans. But they do know they don’t want to be stuck behind a desk. The Herdina Academy for the Construction Trades is a two-week experience for youth 15 years old and up to learn through applied exercises about the construction industry. Students work side-by-side with industry and education professionals, learning about occupations, tools, safety requirements and skills required for satisfying and wellpaying careers. Ebens attended the 2017 Herdina Academy and was
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Spring Parade of Homes 2018
offered a job at New Horizons Electric, Inc., in Fargo, N.D. where he has been working since late summer/early fall. Ebens explained that he has always been an outdoorsy person, and wanted a career where he could work on a job site. Once the Herdina Academy for the Construction Trades’ activities started rolling, Ebens noticed what he really enjoyed: working with roofing and electrical. “I had taken some construction classes in high school, but this was different because we were able to work with the contractors themselves and learn how they do things in real life, versus having someone else tell us,” he says. “It was an inside look at how they do things in their own companies. I would definitely recommend it to other students.”
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