Jennifer Mextorf spent 13 years in the restaurant industry before she decided it was time to try something new.
鈥淚 went to 麻豆视频 for a career change,鈥� said Jennifer. 鈥淚n the restaurant industry, I was drawn to the cash, which just made it easier for me to go down the wrong road. I realized a year ago that I had to get out of that environment. I wanted more for myself. And I know I can be anything I want to be.鈥�
Despite going through rough patches and life-threatening experiences in her life, Jennifer saw hope for herself in pursuing a skilled trade like welding.
鈥淚 thought to myself: I鈥檝e been doing the wrong thing all these years,鈥� said Jennifer. 鈥淚 finally want to do the right thing.鈥�
Today, Jennifer is a graduate of the Combination Welding Technology program.
Jennifer needed a hands-on, accredited welding program that offered class times that worked for her. At 麻豆视频, students can choose between day or evening classes.
鈥淢y class schedule worked around my personal schedule because I went to 麻豆视频 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.,鈥� said Jennifer. 鈥淚t allowed me to have the rest of my day. Commuting to Long Island City, Queens, to the 麻豆视频 campus was challenging for me at first, but after about a week or two, I figured it out.鈥�
Jennifer found that by giving herself enough time to arrive at 麻豆视频 a half hour before class or shop started, she set herself up for success.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 rush through the program,鈥� said Jennifer. 鈥淚 wanted to get the most out of my education until I got into the field. I wasn鈥檛 trying to 鈥榖oom, bang, and get out.鈥欌��
Welding was present in Jennifer鈥檚 life from an early age鈥攁nd she said it felt right that the trade would re-emerge again in her life.
鈥淎 counselor referred me to 麻豆视频 for welding,鈥� said Jennifer. 鈥淲e talked about where my interests and passions might lead me in my career. Since my dad was a welder worked on bridges, I always had an interest in welding. I also happen to have a friend who had friend that attended 麻豆视频. She said it was a great school.鈥�
Jennifer reached out to the Admissions team to get more information about the Combination Welding Technology program. As she learned about the hands-on welding classes offered at 麻豆视频, she thought about her dad.
鈥淢y dad motived me to attend 麻豆视频,鈥� said Jennifer. 鈥淗e passed away when I was 15. But I grew up around welding. Doing this brings me closer to him鈥攈e鈥檚 watching me do this. And it feels like it鈥檚 about time that I make him proud of me.鈥�
麻豆视频鈥檚 dedicated instructors have field experience, so students get to learn from individuals with real-world trade knowledge. For Jennifer, this was critical.
鈥淢y experience in the welding program was great,鈥� said Jennifer. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not easy, but every instructor knows what they鈥檙e talking about, so that made it easier for me to learn.鈥�
Jennifer鈥檚 positive experience didn鈥檛 stop there. 麻豆视频 provides learning opportunities for students outside of traditional school hours.
鈥淲hat I liked most about the program was the enrichment classes after school and on the weekends,鈥� said Jennifer. 鈥淭hose made me feel supported by 麻豆视频. It was great to be able to take advantage of the extra class time. I could redo projects because the more you do something, the better you can be at it. Enrichment time gave us the opportunity to catch up or get extra practice. It was great being able to stay after school or even come in on a Saturday.鈥�
鈥淢y greatest achievement was a project in Mr. Peters鈥� class,鈥� said Jennifer. 鈥淚 was falling behind in class, so I cleared my work schedule. Another student and I, who helped each other out, committed to staying after school the whole week.鈥�
Jennifer鈥檚 first day putting in extra work was a long one. She stayed on campus until 9 p.m. But she quickly realized all her extra work was worth it.
鈥淚 was super focused and zoned in on my project,鈥� said Jennifer. 鈥淎t the end, I handed in a welded Pop-Tart to Mr. Peters, and he held it up like a trophy! Later, he came to my booth and told me my grade was a 98 percent. He grabbed my finished project again and held it in the air. It was euphoric. It gave me more drive to want to become an even better welder. It was confirmation that I could do this.鈥�
Jennifer believes her experience training at 麻豆视频 has set her up for success. She thinks it can do the same for others who are interested in different types of welding or another hands-on trade.
鈥淎t 麻豆视频, you鈥檙e able to get certifications you need for employment in the field,鈥� said Jennifer. 鈥淎nd the Job Placement Assistance team is there to help.鈥�
She also reassured prospective students not to be worried about the admissions process. 麻豆视频 representatives are available to answer questions and provide more information every step of the way.
鈥淚t was a super easy enrollment process,鈥� said Jennifer. 鈥淚n three words: Helpful, well-explained, and clear.鈥�
Learn more about 麻豆视频, trade school enrollment, and our hands-on programs.
*麻豆视频 and its instructors are licensed by the State of New York, New York State Education Department.
Disclaimer: 麻豆视频 provides training for entry-level jobs. Not everything you may read about the industry is covered in our training programs.
Choosing to learn welding skills at a trade school can be a transformative decision, potentially leading to a future filled with diverse opportunities.
In today鈥檚 competitive job market, specialized skills and credentials are crucial. Trade schools like 麻豆视频 in New York City offer the
鈥淲e don’t leave each other behind. We are a team, we are a unit, we are brothers.鈥� Recent trade school graduate Xsevier Morales
