Destiny Lipkin, Craft Pipeline Coordinator
I didn’t grow up knowing I would work in construction. Like a lot of students, I had ideas about what I might want to do, but my career was not mapped out.
At one point, I thought I would go to school to become a pharmacist. Instead, I found myself operating heavy equipment. Or, as I like to put it, I ended up “moving dirt.”
That unexpected turn led me through dual enrollment classes, plus a pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship and field experience. Now, I’m in a role where I help other students discover the same opportunities. You never know where life is going to take you.
In celebration of Careers in Construction Month, I hope my story encourages students and future craft professionals to take a closer look at the many career paths available in construction.
A Career I Didn’t Expect
Construction was not completely unfamiliar to me growing up. I spent a lot of time helping my dad as a surface installer and was lucky to learn from other tradespeople in my family. I had exposure, but I still didn’t understand the range of careers available in the industry.
My path changed when I was a junior at Florence High School in Florence, Arizona. The school partnered with Central Arizona College to offer Career and Technical Education programs. I signed up for robotics, but the class was canceled shortly before it was supposed to begin. I decided to try heavy equipment operation, even though I had no idea what to expect. That’s where I was first introduced to Sundt, which has a longstanding partnership with CAC.
Spoiler: I loved it. I ended up enrolling in the heavy equipment operation program during my junior and senior years of high school, and because of the dual enrollment program, I earned college credit from CAC while still in high school. After graduating from Florence High School, I continued at CAC, earned my associate degree and completed Sundt’s pre-apprenticeship program.
After earning my associates, I spent time in specialized microtrenching work, learning how precise work supports the infrastructure people rely on every day. Then, I joined Sundt and spent over a year on the Gilbert North Water Treatment Project, operating a loader while I worked on my apprenticeship. Working on this project strengthened my sense of purpose; it showed me how my role fit into the bigger work of building an essential community system.
Each step of my journey has been critical in my success. Since I was 16, I’ve been learning the foundations of heavy equipment operations, supported by knowledgeable mentors who’ve helped turn my passion into a clear career path. I’ve gained valuable knowledge, hands-on practice and seat time, all of which have been crucial in building my skills and advancing my future.
Helping Students Discover Construction
Today, I’m a Craft Pipeline Coordinator with Sundt’s craft workforce development team, and I’m currently enrolled to complete my bachelor’s degree through Sundt’s tuition reimbursement program.
As a Craft Pipeline Coordinator, I’m focused on helping others connect to construction careers because many still don’t know these opportunities exist. They may not realize they can start exploring a skilled trade in high school and create a pathway that leads to a rewarding, life-long career.
My own experience is proof of how pivotal those connections can be. A conversation about CTE programs at CAC gave me an option I had never considered. Now, I get to help students see what may be possible for them.
Stay Curious and Keep Building
For the students out there, or the adults thinking about a career change: it’s okay not to know what you want to do. I went from considering pharmacy to operating heavy equipment, two very different directions.
Construction has room for every interest and strength, so this Careers in Construction Month, take the first step: stay curious. Try Sundt’s Careers in Construction quiz to see what construction career is right for you.
