It’s Women in Construction Week, and we’re continuing to celebrate accordingly here at WECA by spotlighting the amazing female Apprentices we have in our programs – like Sarah Hignojoz, a fourth-year Commercial Apprentice!

For Hignojoz, sitting at a desk in an office or working in retail was never an option for her future career.

“I have always worked with my hands,” said Hignojoz. “And from a young age, I was inspired by my father, who had a successful career as a homebuilder. I often watched and was inspired by the details that made homes come to life – like electricity.”

So Hignojoz set out to find a trade school that could provide her with not only an outstanding education, but also a career path. Her intensive research led her to WECA, where she applied for the Commercial Apprenticeship program.

“I chose the Commercial Apprenticeship because I felt that if I were going to move forward toward my career path, the program would need to be one that was the most unknown and challenging for me. I knew that I would one day graduate doing something that I had set fear aside to accomplish – this inspired me and pushed me to work harder as an Apprentice employee and student.”

Plus, Hignojoz wanted “to have a successful career that I could learn about while working directly in it. I didn’t want a college degree that limited my options or that required me to continue furthering my education until I saw career success. I knew I would succeed in a career choice that I would love, and for me, that was the most important factor toward becoming an electrician.”

Hignojoz has achieved all that – and more – as a Commercial Apprentice on-the-job with a variety of WECA Member Contractors.

“I have worked through these last five years as a woman in a particularly male-dominated field,” said Hignojoz. “I have learned to keep up with strengths that I never realized I could acquire. These challenges have always inspired me to push through and rise to the expectations of every employer I have had thus far.”

Over the course of her Apprenticeship, Hignojoz has also found that learning standard methods like pulling wire, reading blueprints, and configuring wiring has been her favorite part about being an electrician, and that “there is true art behind working with electricity”.

“In the electrical field, it is crucial to follow direction and to be very precise in each and every task given to us. I enjoy working in these situations, and for me, this is where I have grown substantially,” said Hignojoz.

Hignojoz has also enjoyed the outstanding support she’s received and the instructors she’s learned from during her Apprenticeship.

“By far, my favorite instructor has been Jimmie. Jimmie’s down-to-earth personality and instructive skills have helped me to reach great lengths. Jimmie has always been insightful, helpful, and passionate about who he is as an instructor, and this type of dedication has given me the opportunity to become an even better Apprentice – and for that, I am very grateful,” said Hignojoz.

And when reflecting upon her Apprenticeship, Hignojoz had this advice to dispense to her fellow students – particularly women: “[Do not] feel discouraged or inadequate. I am a woman truly living, working, and seeing success in a career that doesn’t have very many female electricians. I believe that overcoming discouraging situations can lead to strength and success. If you have your mind set on a goal, then you must remain focused and consistent. You really can do anything that you put your mind to!”.