10/07/2026
After hearing “college is the only path” throughout high school, Sam Guse did exactly what he thought he was supposed to do. For about a month. “I always knew it wasn’t for me, but I felt pressured to go so I could say I tried it.”
Because college was presented as the next step, Sam hadn’t spent much time exploring what other career paths were out there. After realizing quickly that college wasn’t for him, he came home and started working for a residential plumber. While working on a project alongside KE, he was introduced to the electrical trade and saw a different kind of opportunity.
Sam applied to KE and was hired at 19. He started as an apprentice on large projects, gaining experience across different areas, working alongside different crews and building the skills that would continue moving his career forward.
Six years later, Sam has progressed from apprentice to lead to foreman. Today, he holds electrical licenses in four states and works in a hybrid designer and construction manager role.
His advice to his high school self?
“If I was in the room with my high school self, I would tell myself not to listen and to explore other opportunities such as this or other trades.”
Sam’s story is a reminder that college isn’t the only path to a successful career. The trades offer real opportunities to learn, grow and build a career you may not have known was possible.
