Lincoln T. was in the middle of a career pivot when he learned about Habitat SKKC. After seven years working in tech, the majority of those years in marketing, he had lost his passion for the work. He didn’t feel pride or satisfaction in projects like emails or text campaigns and wanted to help people in tangible ways. He decided to pursue a career that would allow him to work with his hands and see real-world results.
Lincoln wanted to transition into the trades but had no prior experience. He connected with a pre-apprenticeship program called Anew. They have two programs: a three-month pre-apprenticeship construction education program and another program that helps women pivot into the trades. He sought advice from career counselors, and one told him the best way to start was by volunteering at Habitat construction sites. “The counselor told me Habitat takes the time to teach you how to use tools and show what a day on a site is like,” Lincoln explains.
Lincoln first volunteered with Habitat SKKC in Ellensburg. He really liked it, and kept coming back, though he lives in Seattle. He has been driving to Ellensburg in the mornings, usually leaving around 5:30 or 6:00 am. Every day onsite has been filled with new tasks, often something he hasn’t done before.
Recently, Lincoln helped out the crew on a framing day as they put up the sides of a brand-new house. He had been volunteering there for a while and had been progressively gaining skills, like using the circular saw and using the tape measure. Recognizing that he was ready for the challenge, Stuart Meadows Site Manager Nick Nelson asked Lincoln to make two more sections of wall. Lincoln studied the existing section, gathered the right boards, and built two giant rectangles that became corner pieces of the walls. He felt proud knowing those pieces would be part of a family’s home for years.
While that was the most concrete example of being encouraged to take on a task, he often learned by watching other onsite staff members and asking to try tools like nail guns or table saws. He found those tips helpful for increasing his general construction knowledge.
Lincoln advises new volunteers to come to site ready to work and be open to any job because all tasks are realistic to construction work. After two months of volunteering, he still feels confident about pivoting into the trades and is working on getting an apprenticeship with the Electrical Union. He feels happy with his decision and excited to volunteer more with Habitat SKKC.
Lincoln says, “I know in my previous role I was helping people, if more abstractly, but it feels more meaningful to help people in ways that I can see and touch.”
Learn more and sign up for volunteer opportunities here.