Powerful Words: Real Talk from Real Pros
By Arkansas Next on Thursday, September 15, 2022
Read advice from a few of this issue's featured pros as they discuss the paths to their professions!
JIMMY LABEFF
CNC Machinist, Lockheed Martin
“College was not really for me. I do better when I can put my hands on it to get a feel for how it works and see with my own eyes what the results will be.”
– Jimmy, on choosing to skip traditional college
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ANNA CURRAN
Welder, Independent Contractor
“I love that my job challenges me every day to learn and grow my skills. Welding never feels monotonous or boring, as I am always improving my skills or learning a new process.”
– Anna, on loving her job
SHAMARD THOMAS
CAD/CAM Drafter, Entech Consulting Engineers
“My overall goals are to make my parents proud, be a role model for my siblings and to inspire those who look like me that they can achieve great things, if they put in the work and time.”
– Shamard, on being a role model
NIKKI DAVIS
Forester, Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Forestry Division
“I like that every day is different. It keeps things fresh, and it keeps me interested. One day, I might be out on a wildfire, the next, I might be marking trees for a thinning plan.”
– Nikki, on staying engaged at work
JASE HAMBRICK
Service Technician on Agricultural Equipment, Greenway Equipment
“Hands-on learning is very important... Since most people that go into this career are visual learners, this grants the opportunity to physically see in person how the machine works.”
– Jase, on what it takes for the job
JUDEA PARKS
Automotive Technician, Gregg Orr Toyota
“Being a female technician is not as hard as many make it out to be. Yes, there is a bit of heavy lifting, but not anything too strenuous.”
– Judea, on being female in her field
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TERRY OWENS
Skilled A Maintenance, Riceland
“I was able to get much more involved in the field and gained quite a bit of working knowledge at a much earlier age.”
– Terry, on fast-tracking to the workforce
HEATHER & TONY GUILLERMO
Journeyman Plumbers, Jerry’s Plumbing & Backhoe
“I was able to start a career before completing school, rather than waiting to get a degree [and] then looking for a job.”
– Tony, on why this was the right path for him
“The job can be very tedious and, at times, challenging. So it’s important [to] have great problem-solving skills.”
– Heather, on how to have success in this field