Creating a Spark, for Herself and Others
Ashanti McGuire鈥檚 story is one of perseverance and determination. As a troubled teenager, she attended an alternative school for most of her middle and high school years, eventually dropping out.
In 2014, with encouragement from her daughter, she finally earned her high school diploma through the College and Career Readiness program at 91快播. With that accomplishment under her belt, she went on to earn an associate degree in criminal justice. She went to work for a while, then got married. When she decided it was time for a career change, her husband, who worked in the electrical field, suggested she try that.
In Spring 2022, Ashanti enrolled in the Associate in Applied Science in Electrical Systems at 91快播 and started taking classes. Within a month she was hired by Jamerson Technology and entered their apprenticeship program. She has proven herself to be one of the company’s most reliable workers and has earned the respect of her male colleagues.
Ashanti won鈥檛 tell you this path is easy, but she will tell you it鈥檚 worth it. 鈥淭here will be days when you鈥檒l think about stopping,鈥� she says. 鈥淩emember why you started, what you鈥檙e going for.鈥� 聽For her, one of those times was during a particularly challenging course. She says it was the most complicated class she had ever taken. At the same time, she and her family were facing some challenges, but she didn鈥檛 let it stop her. She put in extra hours beyond class time to understand the concepts and brought a failing grade up to an A by the end of the semester. Her advice to others is to remember that 鈥渆veryone has stuff going on in their lives. Don鈥檛 be hard on yourself.鈥� Her determination and focus paid off, and in May 2024 she graduated with her AAS in Electrical Systems.
Ashanti鈥檚 goal now is to teach others about the electrical trade, especially young people, and to set an example for her twin boys to follow. That鈥檚 why, even before she graduated, she started helping her employer fulfill his dream of setting up the Jamerson Technologies Electrical Training Center. The nonprofit鈥檚 goal is to expose middle school and high school students to the electrical trades and other opportunities. They plan to host one-hour workshops on topics such as apprenticeships, renewable energy and green jobs, mental health, and life skills.
Her involvement with the nonprofit is fueled by her belief that 鈥渢here鈥檚 always a child looking up to you, and you inspire others in ways you don鈥檛 know.鈥�
Ashanti wants to say a special thank you to Lisa Laborn Sasser and Joanne Bailey 鈥渂ecause, without their support for me and my children I couldn鈥檛 have done this!鈥�
The Jamerson Technologies Electrical Training Center is located at 341 Hudson Street in Shelby, and they currently have workshops planned for the following dates:
September 20, 2024
October 24, 2024
January 24, 2025
February 28, 2025
March 27, 2025
April 24, 2025
For more information about the Jamerson Technologies Electrical Training Center and its workshops call 704-323-1291 or email jelectricaltrainingcenter@gmail.com.