“I’m in Electrical Mechanical Trades, and I chose this program because I grew up around construction. Watching my dad and others do that kind of work really motivated me to get into it.

When I toured BOCES, I saw Mr. Monroe’s class and how they worked, and that’s what made me want to be here. Now I’m a senior in the program.

We do a lot of hands-on work. We started with the basics of electrical systems, and now we’re actually working on a house—wiring it, setting up receptacles, things like that. We’ve done quite a bit that’s getting me ready for the real world.

After I graduate, I’m hoping to get into an apprenticeship for electrical work and go through that for a few years. My goal would be to become a lineman electrician.

My favorite part of the program is the team we’ve built. When I first started, I didn’t know anyone—it was kind of awkward. But now, we all work together, get the job done, and it really feels like a team.”