A Tech-School Student’s Experience in Career Discovery

Technical-education schools, such as Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School in Essex, Massachusetts, are training students with the skills needed to open doors into a career in arboriculture. I am one of these students.

Essex Tech features 24 courses, or “shops,” that are available to select during a student’s freshmen year. These include everything from carpentry to veterinary sciences. The only one that caught my eye was the extensive, unexplored world of arboriculture. As an outdoor enthusiast, I was captivated by the idea of being outside during my school days instead of cooped up in a classroom. I craved activity, freedom and, most of all, a new beginning. What better than to expand on my interest in outdoor activities, especially doing something I had never thought of before? In every way, it seemed a perfect decision.

Experienced instructors

Previously, I had not even touched a chain saw, woodchipper or any large equipment. Being taught by two experienced arborists, Bradford Chase and Gregory Gagne, the tech-school experience has been nothing but a true blessing for me. I have learned countless skills through their expertise, as well as been exposed to a number of opportunities that I otherwise would never have even dreamed of experiencing. I’ve learned the niches of arborists and gained insights available only from those with extensive experience in the industry.

In addition, I’ve been exposed to a number of career options. Should I decide to go into the industry after graduation, I will be able to step right in and be productive. I’ve also had the pleasure of sharing those interesting career-paths options with others around me.

Foreign exchange

Most recently, the sophomore and senior classes had the pleasure of welcoming several German exchange students into the arboriculture shop. I was surprised by their unyielding enthusiasm and genuine interest in the field. They reminded me of myself during my first experiences with arboriculture, with their bright eyes filled with fascination during their first climb and their wide smiles as they ascended past the roofs of the school in the bucket truck.

It’s astonishing how arboriculture can be appealing to anybody, even people who have never thought about the field in the slightest. That is the true power of the tech-school experience, to expose students to careers and interests they’ve never considered before.

A lesson in government

The start of my sophomore year began as normal; the arboriculture class had been reviewing past material to brush up on our skills and safety knowledge before jumping into hands-on education. But when a question related to our brand-new Vermeer skid steer came up, it became apparent we were not going to be able to use it. This was due to a change in the law in Chapter 74 of the Massachusetts General Laws, which establishes the rules under which vocational-technical education is run in the state. The change in the law caused students to lose permission from the state to use hoisting equipment.

The change required students to have a hoisting license before operating any hoisting machinery at all, whereas before, it only applied to derricks, cableways, cranes, elevators and similar equipment, the really large stuff. This has been a problem, since you can’t get a hoisting license unless you are at least 18 years old. Only some senior students are 18. This renders our expensive machinery mostly useless to students for the time being.

When we learned there were plans to discuss a bill at the Massachusetts State House challenging the law, we decided to get involved.

The proposed amendment would allow any students who have access to hoisting equipment the permission to operate it when supervised by an instructor who is in possession of a hoisting license. This would allow properly educated freshman and sophomore students, based on their individual competence, the chance to become experienced with some larger machines, like a bucket truck or mini excavator.

Testifying

Both myself and another sophomore student were able to testify.

It was a surreal experience, with the stiff yet ethereal beauty of the state house surrounding us, the formal atmosphere of every room and the professional attire of those inside. It was difficult not to feel intimidated or overwhelmed; I was merely a student in a sea of knowledgeable individuals. But what helped to calm my nerves was the fact that I was fighting for something I cared about. I had only been briefly introduced to hydraulic equipment and found myself ruthlessly intrigued and eager to learn more, and to learn to operate that type of apparatus with increased ease.

While we were waiting to speak, I found it interesting how others in the same room felt the same type of passion. Law enforcement, policemen and firefighters were alongside us, fighting for another bill involving their workplaces.

I was exceptionally pleased that, after we both finished testifying, the senate agreed with us. I felt proud of the other student even more than myself. He had delivered a wonderful speech about his experience and family. He also shared how the bill would affect him in the classroom. Using hoisting equipment was important to him. We both had written speeches at the last minute, so it was a joy to see him succeed in front of the senate members.

Awaiting the outcome

As of this writing in late 2023, we are still waiting for the outcome of the amendment, and it may take years for anything to change. But this doesn’t matter to me. Despite having to wait, I know it was worth it. I was able to have a role in impacting the future for the students at technical-education schools, those who really could use the experience with hydraulic equipment.

Conclusion

Regardless of my eventual career choice, the experiences – from helping introduce German exchange students to the shop to fighting for the use of hoisting equipment at the Massachusetts State House –have been valuable to me. The arboriculture Career Technical Education (CTE) program at Essex Tech has brought me many opportunities and presented me skills I never would’ve acquired had I gone elsewhere.

Ray Budd is a sophomore studying arboriculture at Essex North Shore Agricultural and Technical School in Essex, Mass.