Today we feature SSCS senior Emily Gwozdz who is in her second year of the Electrical Trades program at the Capital Region BOCES Career and Technical Education Center – Schoharie Campus, where she is preparing for a career as an electrician.
The first person in her family to pursue a career in the electrical industry, Gwozdz said she chose the profession because she enjoys working with her hands and because she happened into a job working for a local electrician as a younger student.
“I needed a summer job, and a family friend had a business, so he hired me,” Gwozdz said. “I really liked the work.”
Gwozdz learned the basics of the industry at Bello Electric and Excavating, Richfield Springs, and is expanding that knowledge at Capital Region BOCES. She plans to further her studies at college in the fall, either by attending Alfred State University or SUNY Delhi for their electrical programs.
Ultimately, she plans to go to work for a company and gain the experience necessary to branch out on her own and operate her own residential electrical business.
Gwozdz credits BOCES with giving her the skills necessary to achieve those goals.
“I would tell anyone considering this program to just do it,” she said. “It opens up a lot of opportunities for you and gives you a great foundation.”
Gwozdz is among more than 100 students from across the Capital Region enrolled in the Career and Technical Education Electrical Trades program that is offered on the Schoharie and Albany campuses.
The program teaches students the fundamental skills in electrical theory through classroom instruction and hands-on shop lessons. Through this training, students can become successful residential, commercial and industrial wiring professionals.
While in high school she is chapter Vice President of SkillsUSA, a career and technical student organization serving more than 395,000 high school and college students. The organization promotes personal and professional growth and offers students the opportunity to compete at the local, regional, state and national levels.
