The staff at OE Construction attended the May 2nd Career Explore Night, which was a combination of private companies, Jeffco schools, many Jeffco School to Work programs, the Jeffco Schools Foundation and most importantly Jeffco high school students.
The evening brought all of us together to honor students from Arvada, Chatfield, Dakota Ridge, Golden and Wheat Ridge High Schools for all of their accomplishments throughout the year. The Career Explore program provides opportunities for students to become engaged in work-based learning activities that lead to industry certifications, internships, a pathway to employment and post-secondary learning opportunities.
Our personal wish is that even more private companies become engaged and support this program. Right now the focus is in the medical, hospitality and construction industries. I personally took a different path to end up in the construction industry. I entered into a school and work place advancement program back in the 1970’s (a long time ago!) which led to a 25 year career in computer software and hardware technology, building and running companies in the technology sector of private business.
When my son was a student at Wheat Ridge high school many years ago, he too took a winding path which led him to the construction industry. With the help of Jane Johnson and others at WRHS, he worked in the construction industry while in high school and went on to complete multiple construction certificate programs at Colorado State University and Red Rocks Community College. This path led him to starting and running an excavation and underground utility construction business. We kept telling him, work hard, build good teams, listen and ask for advice and don’t ever give up. I joined my son in the business in 2007 as an investor and Vice President of Accounting and Operations.
Let’s give back to our schools, communities and most important the students who have so many paths ahead in their lives and careers. Get involved and make a difference, last night we saw what all of us can do together.
OE Construction Corp. 