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
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
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
