Landscape lighting is often riddled issues due to poor-quality hardware and inadequate installation methods. Many homeowners who appreciated the beauty and function of landscape lighting, found themselves plagued with a high-maintenance system that quickly became a headache down the road. After installing several outdoor lighting systems under various other contractors, I realized there were a better ways to install lighting - and no one was doing it (either out of ignorance or to keep profit margins higher). HomeBeam was founded with with the purpose of fixing this issue. We focus on installing landscape lighting systems that would not only look good, but also withstand the test of time. We only use high-quality hardware and installation methods, and design our systems to last 15 - 20+ years. For many homeowners, our systems will be the last they'll ever have to install for their homes.

In the Summer of 2020, I presented with the opportunity to transition from building and wiring control panels to designing and costing them. After I had completed schooling I accepted the position as a controls applications engineer for Flexicon Corporation. I was responsible to providing technical controls-related support during the sales process. This included designing and costing custom control panels, assisting the sales team in answering any customer or application driven questions, and helping with any post-sale control issues.

While pursuing my associate degree at NCC, I was offered an internship position at Flexicon Corporation as an electrical technician. Flexicon® is a leading manufacturer of bulk handling equipment – designing and manufacturing a variety of screw and pneumatic conveyors, bag-fillers, drum-dumpers, and other bulk-material processing systems.I primarily work in the panel shop where I build/wire industrial control panels. All the panels/enclosures are built to UL standards or in some cases – CSA standards. The control panels I build/wire regularly include components such as transformers, PLC’s, VFD’s, motor-starters/overloads, disconnects, over-current protection devices, relays, HMI screens, and push-buttons. Besides, building the panels I am responsible for testing the panels for proper operation. In addition to working in the panel shop, I also help install and wire I/O devices on the bulk-material machinery. Such I/O devices include motors, solenoids for hydraulic and pneumatic units, sensors, vibrators, and more.

Through a referral from one of my NCC instructors, I was presented with the wonderful opportunity of interning with MRP Electric Inc. This intern allowed me to gain real-world experience of electrical wiring, and greatly increased my knowledge and skill of it. MRP Electric serves a wide range of clientele, which exposed me to residential, commercial and industrial electric wiring.Much of the residential work was updating/and or adding to old wiring, or responding to service calls. Through the work I did with these jobs, my skills in general wiring, troubleshooting, and working on electrical panels increased, as well as my knowledge of code regulations. The commercial jobs I did gave me experience running and wiring armored MC cable in new construction projects.One of MRP Electric's largest clients is Flexlink - one of the world's leading manufactures of automated conveyor systems. I was able to work 500+ hours at Flexlink, where I did electro-mechanical work. The work I did for Flexlink was the highlight of my internship and sparked my interest in further developing skills in the electro-mechanical industry, and learning more about automation control.

My experience as Chick-fil-A team member was a great one, and despite it being considered a non-skilled job, I was able to learn a lot from it. Besides learning to work effectively and accurately in fast-paced environments, I learned how to become a productive and reliable team member. I also learned the importance of positive and professional interactions with guests, coworkers, and management. As a Chick-fil-A employee, I was also expected to maintain a positive and respectful attitude while working - an attitude I continue striving to maintain.It may have just been a fast-food job, but I learned the fundamentals of good work ethics, and I continue to apply what I learned there to any work I do.