It is always awe-inspiring to see one of our alums master their trade, take an apprentice under their wing, and help them launch their career. Learn how Tom Kuik (Electrical, Class of 1982) discovered his true passion by looking to his past, following a childhood curiosity, paying attention, learning from those who came before him, and ultimately shaping a successful career generations to generations of tradespeople would be proud of.

As we prepare our students to master the tools of their trade and ultimately find their true passion and purpose in their careers, a resume serves as an essential ‘tool’ for their first job search. Once you graduate and settle into new positions, it’s easy to forget about keeping your professional resume up-to-date. If your resume could speak, what would it say?

If you are lucky, you spent time with a grandparent or teacher who took you under their wing and shared their craft and passion for a trade. Whether it was tinkering under the hood of a car, woodworking, photography, cooking, or sewing, their knowledge, skills, and mastery of the tools of their trade were awe-inspiring. We know the memories of that time together are priceless, and what they taught us we hold dear as we cherish the LESSONS FROM THE PAST.

If you flip open the 2018 yearbook, you will find this quote under Sarah Arnold's name, "Dessert makes everything better." It's a motto she takes to heart. Pastry artist Sarah Arnold designs exquisite custom wedding cakes that look beautiful and taste amazing. Learn how Sarah found her true calling in our Culinary Arts program and channeled her creativity into a passion for cakes by sharing photos, stories, and videos of her creations with friends and followers on Instagram, which has led to incredible new connections and sweet experiences.

Although most people find their career paths later in life, there are a few who, from an early age, have an experience that speaks to them in such a way they can't ignore it. Learn how the adage: "follow your heart, it knows the way" takes on new meaning for one of our alumni, Lindsey Testa (Dental Assisting, Class of 2019), and how a childhood event inspired her to harness a powerful driving force within and shape her future career success.

Harry Cooper (Class of 1972) did not set out to be a world traveler. From a humble beginning, his mission was simple: to learn a trade and secure a job. So that's just what he intended to do, and that is where this journey of success begins.

Once overwhelmed, hesitant, and unsure of her future, Jen now approaches each day as a plumbing apprentice as an opportunity to learn more and continue breaking boundaries in a male-dominated field. It’s a simple description of how Jennifer “Jen” Lannon felt walking through the maze of display tables boasting the majors offered at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, RI. Registered to be a freshman in the fall, Jen came to an important realization as she stood surrounded by excited co-eds at the orientation: college was not for her.

Liam MacLeod of Millbury (Class of 2012) has moved from being a master of culinary content to a master of lifelong learning, and he is confidently prepared for whatever the future holds. As his senior class president, Liam was an aspiring restauranteur who completed BVT’s Culinary Arts program and earned coveted admission to the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. Since the age of five, he dreamt of owning his own restaurant, and he was sure that BVT’s culinary program had given him the basic skills he would need to reach that goal.