Why High School Students are Excited to Enter the Construction Trades

An NAHB study recently revealed interest in construction trades among young adults ages 18-25 is twice as high as it was a decade ago, though more work needs to be done to educate the public on the increasing work opportunities for long, lucrative careers.

NAHB caught up with three rising high school stars pursuing careers in construction about how they got their interest, their favorite student chapter moments, and what they hope to accomplish throughout their careers.

Hear from:

• Eric Coffeen, Baldwin Preparatory Academy student chapter
• Smith Goracke, Raleigh-Wake County student chapter president
• Kyle Kneeland, Northeast Technical High School student chapter

This Q&A was edited for clarity.

1. What made you want to pursue a career in the construction industry and when did you know that this was the right path for you?

Coffeen: I first found out about the construction program when I was a freshman at Daphne High School (AL). I didn’t have any connection to construction at the time but after my first year in the program, I was hooked. I learned quickly that I love working outside and with my hands.

Goracke: In fifth grade, my friend and I built a workbench, cornhole set, and a dozen other things. That was the moment I realized I loved making something out of nothing. In high school, every time I pictured my future, I kept coming back to the same image of working on jobsites with my dad, seeing houses come together and whole neighborhoods being built from nothing.

Kneeland: My dad’s been a construction worker for most of my life, and I’ve been under his wing. Recently, I worked with him all summer and knew I wanted to work in construction, too. I really like working on a project for a month and getting to see all the progress finished. That feeling is awesome.

2. What are some of your proudest hands-on moments working with your student chapter?

Coffeen: Though I also learned that swinging a hammer for seven hours does end up bruising and hurting your hand, my team placed first in the Skills USA state conference for carpentry, helping me achieve a dream of mine by moving on to nationals. My team also placed third in the NAHB Student Competition for secondary programs at the International Builders’ Show (IBS).

Goracke: Winning the NAHB Student Competition for secondary programs in our first year of competing. There were months of late nights, weekly meetings lasting until 9:30 p.m., and work building a full construction schedule, an estimate, drawing details, a project overview, and a project pro forma. All those late nights paid off.

Kneeland: It was really fun getting to build a house with my friends and getting to learn the ropes of construction. I even made a bench and a flowerpot. Now that I’m more experienced I like to help other kids learn, too.

3. What do you hope to achieve in the near future and during your construction career?

Coffeen: I hope to get a job in the home building field and put my foot in the door as a laborer. Longer-term, I hope that I can move up in the company and become a project manager.

Goracke: Ultimately, I want to build my own company. But first, I want to spend real time in the field, understand the trades from the ground up, and learn how to run a business the right way.

Kneeland: I’m hoping to go to school for business management so I can keep my options open if I want to own my own construction business down the line.

4. Do you have any advice for a freshman high school student entering the construction path?

Coffeen: If you put in the work and are genuinely interested in construction, I can guarantee that you will go far. You just have to have the correct mindset and integrity within yourself to get the job done.

Goracke: Say yes before you feel ready and go in with an open mind. Take every opportunity to be around someone who knows more than you. Find a mentor who has already walked the road you’re heading down and is willing to bring you along.

Kneeland: Try to do an internship. It’s a lot of fun and will help you know if you like what you do.