Meet Domenico an apprentice for Globalcom Technologies our low voltage division of Westphal & Company. He has been with Globalcom for 3.5 years and is excited for what the future holds. Take some time to learn more about Domenico and his future plans.
Tell me about your journey into construction. Where did you start and where are you now?
I grew up working at my grandparents Italian restaurant in Evansville and while I enjoyed my time there and being around family, I knew it wasn’t what I wanted to do for life. When I was in my early 20’s a coworker’s dad at the restaurant was telling me about his experience in the VDV field. This conversation sparked an interest in me and I decided that a career in construction was something I wanted to pursue. From there I applied for Globalcom, waited for a spot to open up, interviewed, and was hired on. When I first started I had no knowledge of construction and could barely work with hand tools , now I feel confident terminating/ testing data cable, running hook paths, and even operating large scissor and aerial lifts.
How did you get interested in a career in construction?
I originally went to college for graphic design and while attending for two years I found that the prospect of having a desk job didn’t sit well with me. I was used to moving around all day from the restaurant and came to the realization that I would need a career that also kept me active and busy. Construction fit this well, each day in the field I’m doing something different and engaging. Part of what I love about my job is that every job site I’m at comes with a new set of challenges and rewards.
What’s the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is the people I work with. Out in the field there is a sense of comradery when we are all supporting each other and working towards the same goal. The foreman and technicians especially have all been willing to help out whenever I’ve gotten stuck on a problem. Everyone is there to support and learn from one another, picking each other up when we get knocked down.
Biggest takeaway from your apprenticeship?
The biggest takeaway from my apprenticeship has been the direction in life it’s provided me. I didn’t really know where I was going before I started and now I will be graduating with a clear path for my future. Working under various foreman and technicians, learning technical and leadership skills from them gives me an idea of the kind of leader/ foreman I would like to be one day.
How long have you been with Globalcom?
I have been with Globalcom for three and a half years at this point, starting in June of 2021. I will be graduating my apprenticeship this spring around my four year mark.
What advice do you have for someone looking for a career in the trades?
I would recommend that anyone who is looking at joining the trades be prepared to learn everyday. I’ve learned that keeping a notebook on you and taking good notes can carry you a long way because of how much information there is to learn. Also don’t be afraid to ask questions, people are there to teach you and appreciate you wanting to learn. Finally, it’s okay to make a mistake, it happens to everyone and doesn’t mean that you’re bad at your job.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome in your career so far?
So far in my career the biggest challenge for me has been not being discouraged when something’s not perfect the first time. Coming from a job where I worked for over a decade and knew all the in and outs it was difficult starting from scratch. I still struggle with this at times but being surrounded by so many supportive and encouraging people helps remind me that learning is a process.
Where are you looking to go from here?
I will be graduating my apprenticeship this spring and from there I am looking forward to continuing to grow my knowledge and skill set in the field. Eventually, I would like to move into more of a leadership role as a foreman and be in charge of running my own job sites. I’ve had so many foreman that have impacted me in my learning and I would like to be that for someone else one day.
