| |
|
Congratulations! |
|
2004 winners of the ConstructMyFuture.com Scholarship |
| |
| Tonia Haider | Lucas Walloch | Drake Kroger |
| |
| Tonia Haider's essay
 The most efficient way to a successful future is to construct your own. I am a seventeen year old young woman who currently is working construction during the summer. Many women do not look at construction as a career, but that is the first place I am looking. I have been employed by Excavating Inc. - Fargo, based out of Fargo, North Dakota, for two years. Some people had told me that I did not belong outside on a job site because I was a woman. I took that as a personal challenge and a great way to prove to myself that I, along with all other women, do in fact belong in construction.
At the beginning of summer in 2003 I was promoted to equipment operator. I enjoy working construction mainly because new challenges arise every day and hard work, determination, and critical thinking are required to overcome them.
During the school year, I am involved with Volleyball, Basketball, Track and Field, and Tennis. I am very used to physical work and quick thinking. Construction allows me to carry these traits into everyday life while I'm working.
Now I have reached my senior year and college is the next step. I am looking to pursue a degree in Construction management. I plan to start my own construction company and put this degree to work in the future. While I was working at Excavating Inc. - Fargo, I became very proficient with the Terex TS-14B Scraper, Bobcat 753, Komatsu D-58 Dozer, and Bomag 152 Packer. I was also the designated trainer of the new employees on how to use the grade rod. Through my family, I have gotten a solid automotive and mechanical background that I used while at work. If the equipment broke down, I was there helping in anyway I could. When the weather didn't permit us to work outside on the job, I helped the secretary with any clerical work that needed to be done. Also if the secretary had to leave for a meeting, I would run the office for her.
This opportunity confirmed my decision that I wanted to pursue construction throughout my life. Through construction I have obtained many rewards and they continue to help me in everyday life. Construction has installed confidence in me. On the job site I always had to believe that what I was doing was the right thing, and I was doing it right. This carries over especially in school work and when I am playing in my sports. Punctuality is also a key reward I have gotten from working at Excavating Inc. - Fargo. It made me realize that I have a responsibility to be at work at a certain time or there are consequences. Having such a demanding job while still attending class at West Fargo High School has really made me prioritize my life so I will be punctual. The biggest reward that construction has given me is a hard work ethic. This I am able to use in everything that I do. This trait I can utilize in athletics, work, college, raising a family, and every other aspect of life.
Construction has caught me at a young age and I have enjoyed it very much. I plan to continue in college by earning a degree in construction management so someday I will be able and prepared to start my entrepreneurship in construction. I definitely have the ability to continue on in construction and the confidence that I gained through construction will help me fulfill this dream. Many things that I achieved through working construction I can and will be able to convert them into my everyday life. Some people wish they could fly over troubled waters. I want to be able to build a bridge to surpass them. |
|
| |
Lucas Wallach's essay
 To whom it may concern,
Through my work experience in the last few years I have decided that making a career out of construction is the way I want to go. Most people in my school call me crazy for getting up at five in the morning to go to work everyday and "waste" my summer. It is not a "waste"; it is the best way to spend it! Meeting new people and learning new skills are things I look forward to every day. On top of working a forty-hour plus week I try to do side jobs on the weekend. This is another opportunity for me to expand my repertoire of skills. A great example of this would be my new forte of building ponds or water gardens. I am very proud of this due to the fact that I started it by myself and take great pride in completing them to perfection. I now have some following on this endeavor and have plans to construct three more when the weather warms up.
In the future I would indeed like to own my own carpentry company. Through hard work and a good education I believe I can make it happen. I have chosen to go to the University of Wisconsin Stout for my secondary education where I plan on majoring in construction project management. The university is known to have one of the best construction programs in the area. I plan on using all the knowledge I learn through the program to aid me in reaching my goal of running my own company.
While in high school I participate in the wrestling program where I have been named team captain. Last year I was a state qualifier and plan on making a return trip this year. My typical day starts at 5: 30 a.m. when I go to school to lift weights. I start school at 7:20 where I manage to keep my grades on the honor roll including an A.P. class. Then it's off to practice from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. Now I finally get to go home and do my homework and make it into bed, just to start the whole routine again.
Thank you for your time and I hope you consider me for your scholarship. I will use it to become an asset to the construction industry. |
|
| |
Drake Kroger's essay
 From as far back as I can remember I have always been interested in construction. I grew up by my dad's side in his workshop, where I watched him build various projects. As soon as I was old enough, I began to build things for myself. My father also owns his own company, Air Park Door, Inc., where he sells and installs garage doors and openers. Since my freshman year in high school my dad has taken me with him to work during the summers. I learned how to install garage doors and openers practically by myself. My favorite part of the job was exploring the new construction. We would walk all through the house and he would tell me how it was being built.
During my junior year in high school he expanded his business by building a warehouse/showroom for his company. I was with him throughout the entire process when the building was being constructed, and I really enjoyed seeing the building come together in each different phase of construction. He had the frame of his office built by a local contractor that he knew, but he did all of the rest of it himself. I really enjoyed learning all that he could teach me about the building process. Ever since then, one of my main goals in life has been to design and build my own house when I get older. My counselor in high school knew of my interest in the construction process, and he recommended the Building Construction Management program at Purdue University.
I applied to Purdue at the beginning of my senior year, and I was accepted a month later. My first semester was mainly for the general education classes, but from then on I have had some really great classes where I learned a great deal about the various processes in construction. One of my best classes so far has been about the construction field surveying process. I had a great professor for this class, and it was through him that I took a great interest in surveying. I am currently in the process of interviewing with several companies for a summer internship as a field engineer. I feel that internships are the best way to learn how a company actually functions in the industry.
For that reason, I decided that I needed to intern as much as possible, so second semester of my freshman year I began to send emails to companies that built log homes all over the United States about interning for that summer. I chose companies that built log houses because I have always been amazed by their natural beauty, and I plan on building one for myself someday. I had several companies interested, and I ended up working for Winebrenner Construction, located near Ft. Wayne, Indiana. I participated in the construction of three log homes over the summer, and my goal was to learn something new every day that I was on the job. One of my older, more experienced coworkers was always pushing me to do my best, and I am eternally grateful to him for it. It was one of the greatest experiences that I have ever had the opportunity to take part in, and I can not wait until my next chance to intern somewhere.
As far as my professional education at Purdue goes, I always try to do my best and to learn everything that I can in my classes. I intend to graduate with an electrical and mechanical construction specialization, and if time permits, I will also study for a specialization in residential construction as well. Thus far, I have been awarded semester honors for my freshman year, and I am currently on the Dean's List. I am a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Phi Eta Sigma honor society, and I have been offered several opportunities to join other honor societies as well. My current GPA is 3.57 on a 4.0 scale, and I am doing my absolute best to keep it above a 3.5 for the remainder of the time here at Purdue.
I have also become involved in many other activities at Purdue. I am a member of Inter-varsity Christian Fellowship, Campus Crusade for Christ, Purdue Outing Club, and NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association, Purdue student Chapter). Within Campus Crusade for Christ I am a member of the "I-Team". We are in charge of preparing special themed nights and promotional videos for our weekly meetings. The Purdue Outing Club is basically a club for outdoorsman. I am specifically involved because of my love for rock climbing and mountain biking, and I do one or the other whenever time and weather allow for it. I just recently joined NECA, and I am looking forward to all that it has to offer to me. I believe that being a member of this organization, as well as specializing in electrical and mechanical construction will give me a definite edge in the job market.
In conclusion, I am very motivated to do well with my time here at Purdue. My education in construction management is one of my top priorities, and I will continue to strive for excellence in all that I do regarding it. I know that when I get the chance to prove myself in the field, all my hard work will have paid off in full. Finally, I leave a quote upon which the foundation of my life was built, given to me by my father: "In all that you do make sure you do it so well that no man living, no man dead, and no man yet to be born can do it better." ~Author Unknown.
Check back with constructmyfuture.com to find out when the next scholarship will be offered. More info about scholarship.
<< Back
|
|
|
