What stood out to him most was the hands-on nature of the work and the ability to help people—whether that’s setting poles, restoring power, or showing up when a community needs it most. After turning 18, Jhovanny plans to earn his CDL, apply for an apprenticeship, and step directly into the workforce, already keeping his eye on a couple of potential companies. He learned about Mountain Institute after a classroom visit from Shaun Rose, and the opportunity stuck with him.
Through the program, Jhovanny has enjoyed meeting new people and being pushed outside his comfort zone—something he believes has helped him grow. He credits his instructor for providing strong guidance and real-world knowledge when students need support. Jhovanny sees electrical linework as essential to society, knowing that nearly everything depends on power and that linemen are the ones who step in after storms and outages to get communities back on their feet. His advice to future students: “Pay attention, ask questions, and take it seriously—because it all matters when you’re out in the field.” He also adds, “No matter what happens, do what you want to do. In the end, it’ll be worth it.”