Before entering the construction industry, Edina felt stuck. She was working jobs with limited growth potential and helping care for her niece, unsure of her next step. That’s when she began considering a job in the trades. “I was talking to a friend, and he told me more about construction jobs and what construction workers do. I started thinking about how I could get a foot in the door,” Edina recalls.
Motivated by the idea of good wages and stable work, Edina began researching careers in construction. She saw a commercial for Summit Academy and decided to enroll.
During her carpentry training at Summit, Edina gained valuable skills that prepared her to be successful and learned about industry standards and expectations from local employers.
After graduating, Edina faced obstacles to finding a job and had moments of doubt. She considered giving up on pursuing a career in construction, but Louis King, President of OIC America and Summit’s former CEO, encouraged her to keep searching for the right job. Shortly after, she was hired as a union laborer working with Knutson Construction.
With nearly 12 years of experience as a union laborer, Edina is looking to the future with goals and aspirations. She hopes to become a union representative, so she can advocate and encourage others who might not have considered the trades as a career option. “I’ve spoken to young people, telling them about the trades, saying, ‘Hey, if college isn’t for you, there’s another option,” she says.
Edina is especially passionate about helping women to learn about all the career opportunities in construction. “You should at least try,” She says. “If one trade doesn’t work out, find another. If it’s for you, don’t give up—especially as a woman.”
With a strong foundation, hands-on experience, and a clear vision for the future, Edina is working to help others build a career path they’re proud of.