Video Games Lead to Skilled Trades
Orion Gamble鈥檚 path to the Heavy Equipment Operations program started at home. As a student who struggled with grades, Orion Gamble suspected college wasn鈥檛 for him. 鈥淚 knew I was going to go somewhere using my hands,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檝e always wanted to work outside in construction, or work in a factory, or drive a semi-truck.鈥�
Trade School Brings Opportunities
Orion鈥檚 stepfather had attended 91快活林 (NCST) years earlier, and suggested Orion take a look. It only took a campus visit to sell him on it.
He liked the idea of working with large construction vehicles, so Orion chose the Heavy Equipment Operations program, learning to operate heavy machinery鈥攆orklifts, backhoes, bulldozers, excavators, dump trucks鈥攖hat create new structures like homes, commercial buildings, and bridges.
NCST鈥檚 Driving Simulator: Like Playing Video Games as a Career
Orion was surprised to find that driving heavy equipment reminded him of one of his favorite pastimes: video games.
鈥淚鈥檝e played video games since I was like four. When I hopped in my first machine, I immediately noticed how it is similar to playing video games,鈥� he said. 鈥淢oving the joysticks, clicking the buttons. It really clicked with me.鈥�
Orion got to climb into NCST鈥檚 driving simulator to practice safely operating construction vehicles. The simulator made going to school feel like playing Gran Turismo, except with big vehicles instead of sports cars.
鈥淚t was pretty fun, especially when you had to load a dump truck and then drive it up a hill,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou had to keep the truck at a certain speed and make sure the gauges were in the proper range.
Instructors who are eager to help create a positive learning environment where students can flourish. 鈥淓very teacher in here, no matter if it鈥檚 a teacher you鈥檝e ever met before, they鈥檙e always in a good mood,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey always help, even if it鈥檚 a different instructor in a different class, and they know a quick tip that might help you a little more.鈥�
In particular, his first quarter teacher helped him find his footing.
鈥淢r. B really helped me out,鈥� he said. 鈥淗e really taught me the basics. Now, every time I see him in the hallway I look forward to talking with him.鈥�
Orion says NCST has a helpful, all-for-one mentality, where everyone pitches in to help each other when needed.
鈥淓verybody in here is beneficial to you, no matter what course you picked, or which trade you picked up. They help you with education, they help you find a job, and if you don鈥檛 have a job even years later, you can come back, and they鈥檒l help you find a job,鈥� he said.
Although he enjoys working on construction sites, Orion said the program was versatile enough that he could pursue other careers if he ever wanted a change.
鈥淗eavy equipment is phenomenal for me, but there鈥檚 an optional CDL component,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f you want to pursue a Class A CDL, they can teach you to drive semi-trucks, or there are jobs where you can take a dump truck or something like that.鈥�
Trade School Education: A Rewarding Career Choice
Orion said anyone who struggles in 鈥渢raditional鈥� educational paths has a place to build lasting career skills and a stable, successful career. He recommends trade school as a career track, especially for people who enjoy working with their hands.
鈥淐ollege nowadays is expensive,鈥� Orion said. 鈥淎nd the trades are not what some people say. If you find one that you鈥檙e really interested in, follow your career and your goals, and just make good decisions in life, you can take yourself somewhere or even start your own business.鈥�
And Orion is planning to take his education to places, using his skills to become not just employable, but in-demand with employers.
鈥淚 was always told if you can figure out something with your hands, you always have a job.鈥�
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