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YA Alumni
SPOTLIGHT OF THE MONTH
Abigail Spilde
Monona Grove
Class Of
2022
Company:
Supreme Structures
Program:
Architecture, Construction
What did you love about YA?
I really enjoyed being able to learn and grow my understanding of construction on an entirely new level. Networking with new companies every day and seeing them being stunned to see a young woman in construction who is in High School really impressed them. Personally coming from a hands-on learner I highly recommend the YA program, being able to learn not only in the classroom but also on the job site. During my apprenticeship, I really enjoyed being able to go to work everyday before school and get in on the morning action before heading off to my actual school. In the construction world work starts early, luckily I was able to have an early release from my actual classes. My everyday schedule looked like getting up at 5:30 and leaving for work around 6 and reporting to the jobsite location which varied and work until 10 and then go to Monona Grove for school till 3:30 and complete the credits I needed to graduate.
How did YA influence your plans after high school?
After my experience in the Youth Apprenticeship program it changed ALL my plans. I decided to go to a 4 year university, (University of Wisconsin Platteville) for my bachelors in Construction Management with an emphasis in Construction Safety also two minors in Architecture and Business. After having the opportunity to be working in the real world I knew I could do better and become a project manager for a residential or commercial company. Later eventually creating my own design build residential company. After those years of my life I would like to return to UWP and be a professor and teach all my experiences to a new generation of students.
What do you want others to know about YA?
Oh absolutely! I believe everyone should do it. It's a wonderful program for all to experience what you think you want to do. It saves money and time to understand what you like to do while you still have a little time left in High School. Many didnt know what they wanted to do but I knew what field I wanted to be into which was construction but what kind? With the YA opportunity I was able to explore the commercial side with a fantastic company called Supreme Structures located in Fitchburg and learn the ins and outs of carpentry, project management, and true hard work. It's definitely worth the time to explore what's out there and the least that would happen is finding out what you like and don't like so in the future you can further make your decision on your life careers.
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