“My parents came from Mexico. They kind of struggled supporting us, even though they were working two jobs. So I started working when I was 16, just trying to help out. My parents finally had an opportunity to build a house. So all the money that I was making, I just gave to them.

“When I finished high school at 18, I went straight to work in the construction field at an oil and gas refinery. From then on, I just never had the opportunity to go to college. I was focused on helping out my mom and dad. They had the money to take care of me. But I wanted to help take care of them as well.

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“I graduated from the University of Colorado. I majored in political science and minored in sociology. I thought I would be going to law school. I tried to prepare for the LSAT, but it just didn’t seem feasible at the time. I have two little girls, which made it really difficult trying to study and focus. Plus, my husband was always working, so it was just me with the kids most of the time. It was just a whole bunch of life.

“At first, I had some regrets. I wished that some things were different. But now I’m studying equipment and instrumentation, learning how to become an operator in one of the local plants. It’s all really interesting to me. I like to know how things work. The way this program is set up allows me to dig deep into the processes and how every detail is so important.

“My dad worked in a plant in Colorado, and I remember going to work with him when I was little. I used to tell him I was going to do something like this one day. He would say, ‘No. You need to get a nice little job and work in an office.’ But I’m kind of like a tomboy, and I knew from a young age that I wanted to work with my hands. Although I didn’t pursue it at first, I’m happy things have worked out the way they have.”

— Jessica Adefisayo

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“I’m the kind of person who likes to dabble in a little bit of everything. I’ve always been interested in science and technology. Then I got into literature. And I have this creative side where I really enjoy art and drawing, playing the guitar and learning about cinematography. But lately my creativity has kind of taken a back seat while I focus on school, getting my degree and finding a job in one of the plants.

“I struggle a little with knowing that I want to accomplish so many different things in my life, and realizing it’s probably going to take some time. I want to eventually make my own YouTube video, make my own film, be my own producer and record my own album, put an art piece out there and sell it. I want to get to the point in life where I’ve done it all. But a lot of these things require funding. That’s where a job in the plants comes in. Hopefully, the money I make there will help me achieve my creative goals.”

— Brayan Cujantes, 21

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