Hands-on High School Studies
One of the things Matt Cahoon says that he liked about his
building trades classes at Southampton Technical Center was
the fact that he wasn’t stuck at a desk all day.
“We had a shop where you learned the basics of carpentry
and masonry—how to use tools, different bricks and mortar.
We were in the shop 80% of the year practicing. He’d
actually show us how to do it—it was a very hands-on
approach. We did walls, wall panels with windows; we even
built a shed in carpentry then next year we bricked it.”
Matt also liked the fact that his teacher could speak from
first-hand experience. “He’s a mason himself;
because of his experience, he knew what to teach us…how
to use tools, how to use measuring tools and levels…different
techniques, laying bricks, “buttering” bricks.
He was a great teacher…he really did prepare me. Everything
he taught me paid off.”
SkillsUSA competitions in high school gave Matt the chance
to show off his skills – and also to make contact with
people in the industry. “[Those competitions] definitely
opened up opportunities for me; right before I graduated,
I filled out an application…and had a job waiting for
me the week of graduation. I worked from the end of June ‘til
September. Then my [four-year] apprentice program started
in September.”
With solid academic grades and SAT scores, Matt could have
chosen the four-year college route—but he found the
immediate opportunities and income of the construction field
more appealing. He’s been steadily working (and steadily
advancing) ever since.
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