In Her Own Words: Shannon Denetsosie, WECA Arizona Commercial Electrical Apprentice Graduate

Content courtesy of Shannon Denetsosie

"Construction work was not new to me. Growing up on the Navajo reservation, I watched my grandfather work in mines and heard the stories of how he built the home that I was raised in with no training or schooling of any kind. Seeing what my grandfather built and later the buildings that my dad worked in as a welder, I was always so proud to know that my family had a hand in building things.

I went into construction at the age of 18 and worked as a laborer or welder's helper for a few years, until I became a mother at 20 years old. I became a stay-at-home mom for a year, then started working as a production worker, a picker, then one day I was given an opportunity to work as a Quality Control Inspector for a roofing company that produced roofing insulation. After that, I went on to work in quality positions in plastics and food companies.

During my last job before entering into electrical, I worked as a Production/Shipping/Quality Control Supervisor for a gelato company. As I worked, I attended Pima Medical Institute in Veterinary Technology. I graduated 9 years ago with an Associate degree. However, getting a job in that field is a lot harder than I expected and life sometimes does not allow you to continue what you aspired to do.

Going into the electrical trade was something that just happened after trying to make ends meet with just a warehouse position and crazy hours sometimes, but with very little pay to make ends up. To go into a specific trade, I had my fears and uncertainties of what I would have to deal with.

My first job as an electrical worker was with Delta Diversified at Desert Diamond Casino, where I learned how to terminate transformers, panels, dimmer panels, and all things electrical. I realized that I was good at what I was doing and became more interested in how everything worked.

I had planned to get into their apprenticeship program. However, their program did not fit my life. Then COVID hit and I was let go. I wanted to continue my journey in electrical, so through temp agencies I took jobs for electrical work or even QC work and put in applications with electrical companies.

After many interviews and no luck on anything, I decided to try getting back into veterinary.

Then I got an interview with Corbins and was hired that day in December 2020. Since that day, I went from being an electrical worker to an apprentice who is near the end of completing the program. (Editor's note: In the time since this was written, Shannon successfully completed and celebrated her graduation from WECA's Commercial Electrical Apprenticeship in Arizona.)

I honestly did not think that I would be able to come this far. However, with Corbins' partnership with WECA, it has made it possible for me to work and be in school, and get tons of on-the-job training, especially with being a single mother of two.

The apprenticeship program fits my life as a single mother and I love to learn new things and how things work. Throughout all these events leading up to where I am now, being in the construction trade has helped me build confidence in myself as well as enable me to provide for my kids.

I am now in the QA/QC department and am still looking to progress and learn more skills in this trade.

As a mother and woman in the electrical trade, I have set an example for my kids that if mom can do this, they can do it and accomplish their dreams.

Now my son is currently working for Delta Diversified at the second Desert Diamond Casino being built. He plans to enroll in their apprenticeship program at their next session.

Now with my daughter in her senior year of high school, her goals are to be a veterinarian, a welder, a mechanic, and an electrician.

It fills me with pride as a mother and woman, that I could set an example for my kids that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to.

All thanks to Corbins and their partnership with WECA. I continue to learn and have had more doors open up to learning more in this trade."