Brook Reynolds has some advice for high school students: Embrace the opportunities that PCC offers. You never know where they may lead.
Reynolds graduated from PCC Southwest in 2016 and now has a successful artistic welding business, Artistic Fabrications. Like many, however, her journey to this point wasn鈥檛 a direct one. As a successful high school student, she felt pressure to attend a four-year university, so she did 鈥 and struggled.
Reynolds鈥 mom recognized her daughter鈥檚 artistic talents and suggested she try a welding class at PCC. After some hiccups, Reynolds found her groove and completed the welding program. While she recognizes her roundabout path is what led her to running her own business, Reynolds believes would have been better off if she had been encouraged to explore different trades when she was still in high school.
鈥淚f I was a high school student today hearing about someone who took the track I did, it would have a huge impact on me,鈥 she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 nice to know there are other job opportunities out there because I think a lot of students are expected to get a career out of a (four-year) college path. Maybe that鈥檚 not the right track for them.鈥
While she did not have access to PCC鈥檚 concurrent enrollment program when she was in high school, Reynolds encourages others to get as much exposure as they can to different careers before graduating.
鈥淚f I were giving advice to someone thinking of going into the trades, I鈥檇 tell them to trust that instinct,鈥 she said. 鈥淓ven if you do take a traditional university route, take as many side roads as you can. Maybe you only take one welding class in high school but then you become a doctor after you learn you have a steady hand from that welding class. Explore all your options!鈥
