For Travis Anderson, a career in the trades was Plan B. As a student fresh out of high school in Essex, Maryland, he had aspirations of becoming an engineer. Starting out at CCBC in Baltimore, Travis began his studies–but with limited money from family, no loans, and minimal financial aid, he simply ran out of funds and decided to work for a while until he got back on his feet. He started working for a neighbor who was a plumber and earned $10 an hour, which at the time he felt was good money. But when circumstances led to his no longer being able to work for his neighbor, he was out of work — and out of money. Travis finally found the Harford County Electrical Apprenticeship program where he attended classes twice a week in the evenings for four years, while working full-time as an apprentice for a local electrical contractor. From wiring houses in the cold winter months to commercial and maintenance work, Travis gained a wide breadth of experience. Fast forward to today where Travis is currently working as the lead electrician for a huge government contractor, he is grateful for the various job opportunities along the way that positioned him for ultimate success.

Upon his graduation and earning his journeyperson certificate from the State of Maryland, Travis considered his many options. He knew he could take his skills far – but he also knew he still had so much to learn. Working at Kolb Electric he learned the business side of the electrical trade as a project manager/estimator. He learned much from senior level people at the company, but later sought something that would give him more autonomy. His next job involved learning high voltage work by working for Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA). With his varied experience under his belt, Travis’ next position was where he is today, working for EMCOR Facilities Services, where he is the lead facilities electrician for a billion square foot complex.

Travis says, “If it wasn’t for HCECA, I wouldn’t have had the perspective and mentoring that gave me the ability to navigate the best outcome of a career I could have possibly asked for.”
His experience throughout the years at HCECA was marked by positive experiences, with his interactions with the apprenticeship staff, but even more importantly his instructors, who Travis feels were instrumental in laying the foundation and making it possible for him to be where he is today.

Travis believes deeply and passionately in the value of trade schools and calls them the “other four-year degree.” With a starting salary in the area of $48-$52K per year and no debt from university tuition, the value is clear. Travis felt he was light years ahead of many of his friends who graduated from college with significant debt. He takes pride in personally shattering the stigma of the trades. And he attributes HCECA with setting that foundation.

What’s next for Travis?
He’s passionate about safety on the job and as such has trained to be a Site Safety Health officer for his company where he is responsible for safety training and environmental safety and health in addition to his duties as lead facilities electrician. He also recently earned a certificate from the University of Alabama for Occupational and Safety Health Management.

Although the path was not easy, and despite naysayers along the way, Travis knew he needed to just keep moving forward. His energy, passion, dedication, and determination most certainly paid off – and there are most certainly more good things in Travis’s future.