Women in Construction Month: Dominique Moses trains in Carpentry to build her future

At 21 years old, Dominique Moses is far ahead in most people in life, yet she still feels behind. Moses has always had an inkling she wanted to train in the construction field but wishes she started sooner.

Living in Deltona, Moses took a gap year after graduating high school and then went to work at a fast-food restaurant before taking an additional part-time job working the floor for a home improvement store helping customers and stocking shelves.

Moses began taking some degree seeking courses but stressed that she wishes she knew there were more options available. “High school was so focused on promoting the necessity of a four-year degree that I didn’t know this was out there,” she said.

In middle school, she got the slightest sight of it in her peripherals as there was a technical drawing class for construction and even a woodworking course. She didn’t take either one but even knowing they existed piqued her interest.

While she has interest in things like computer science, she knows she doesn’t want to be stuck behind a screen. Though she is still figuring out her future, Moses is excited to have discovered the Valencia College Accelerated Skills Training Carpentry program. She just wishes she could had joined the course years earlier.

“This gives me the opportunity to see different careers that might not be talked about as much,” Moses said. “That’s something I wish I knew in high school so I could go straight into this, because this three-year gap feels really long. I want to get my career going. I’m at a dead end right now and this is a turning point.”

Even though Moses doesn’t have an exact plan of what she wants to do in her young life she is committed to the process. Aside from the Carpentry class she continues to work her two jobs. “Not getting burnt out is the main challenge,” Moses said. But it helps that the Carpentry program is “hands-on” which keeps the mind active. “Whatever you learn in the classroom you learn outside, you’re actually doing it.”

She added that even though it can be tiring she sees her future goals and that keeps her going.

Given her experience, Moses understands how important early exposure is for the industry. She has seen firsthand how many pathways a student can follow after high school and hopes others can discover what is out there.

“I wish I had known about this program sooner,” Moses said. “In those last three years I would have been rolling by now and this is a skill you have for the rest of your life.”

Moses credits her previous interest in the industry and perusing the Valencia College website with her discovery of the Carpentry program. “I was looking at the website and came across the AST programs and I’m so glad I did because now I’m here,” she said with her arms spread wide and a smile on her face.

Being a woman entering the construction field hasn’t hindered her drive in her newfound passion at all. In fact, she is too busy having fun in the course to worry about it, but she thinks it is the getting started phase that can be the most challenging.

Her advice to women wanting to enter the construction industry is as simple as it is tough. “Take that step,” Moses said. “It’s always the first step that’s the most difficult one.”

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