Ryan S.

Communications Foreman

“I came to Windemuller 15 years ago because I realized I needed a career instead of just a job. I’d been working in a warehouse, and even at just 22 years old, I was maxed out in terms of pay and career advancement. I knew there was no opportunity in that job to grow. So, on the advice of my brother-in-law, who also works at Windemuller, I applied for a job here.

It was a scary proposition at first. I joined the team at Windemuller as an electrical apprentice, but I’d never worked in the skilled trades before. In fact, I’d never even really worked with tools. I didn’t know what to expect.

Perhaps because of that early apprehension, I was always a bit intimidated by the electrical trades. I loved working at Windemuller, but I knew I wasn’t in a job that was just right for me yet. So when I got an offer to join the communications team as an apprentice and installer, I jumped at the chance.

Fast-forward to now and I’m a communications foreman, trusted to lead some of Windemuller’s biggest communications projects and look forward to my next opportunity in the department. Instead of feeling like I’m at a dead end, like I did with my previous job, working at Windemuller makes me feel like I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.

If I could say one thing to the kids or young adults who are in a similar place to where I was 15 years ago, it’s that the skilled trades are a perfect path to take if you want a career rich with opportunity. At Windemuller, that’s what the atmosphere is all about. We help each other discover and realize our goals. We explore other departments until we find the right fit. We promote from within. And we make sure that where you start out isn’t where you need to stay, so long as you’re willing to work hard. I know, from personal experience, that not all companies are like that, and I feel fortunate to have found one of the good ones.