Jacob J.
When I was in high school, I started working with a friend of my dad’s who was a residential builder. I liked it enough that after graduation I got a job working for a guy doing small house remodels with a business he operated out of his garage. I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do for a career, but I thought the trades might be a good route to take. So, while working I decided to also enroll in an apprentice program at the GMCA (Greater Michigan Construction Academy).
It was at the GMCA that I first heard about Windemuller. The company was offering scholarships to students enrolled in apprenticeship programs, so I decided to apply. I realized if I indeed wanted to have a future in this industry, I needed to leave the little, two-man shop I was at and work for a larger company.
I made the leap in 2015 and joined Windemuller as an electrical apprentice. After completing my schooling and hands-on training, I became a journeyman in 2018. Early in my career, I was able to travel to different branches of the company, do different lines of work and experience a little bit of everything that was out of the norm for me – from work at community colleges to wastewater treatment plants, as well as the chance to meet a lot of new co-workers.
I now work inside at Dow in Midland, running medium to large industrial electrical jobs. It’s a mix of office stuff, such as permitting, and hands-on work. I also have a few apprentices working with me. I really enjoy the hands-on parts of this job and all the different environments you get the chance to work in. You’re not going to the same office every single day.
Windemuller is really a good company that keeps you around. I started at the bottom and have worked my way up. Windemuller gives you all the chances in the world to prove yourself.