A DIY Home Project Set This CNM Student Up for a Successful Career in the Trades

Electrical outlets are what set Sean Yazzie on his career path. 

He was changing a few at home and realized he loved working with his hands, and with electricity, so he looked at CNM’s Electrical Trades program, realized he could build an entire career, and soon signed up for classes.  

“I’ve enjoyed every minute since enrolling,” Sean says.  

In the program Sean is learning the basics of electrical circuitry, troubleshooting, local and national electrical codes, and OSHA compliance safety training. He’s already built a strong set of skills as well as a strong community. 

“I’ve learned to be a lot more open and have made new friends,” he says. “I’ve also really enjoyed my instructors and how honest they’ve been with me about what to expect in the workforce.” 

Electrical Trades is actually Sean’s second career path. He had originally enrolled in CNM to study Computer Science. It was hard to switch, but he knew he needed to follow his passion.  

“I was scared to change programs because I thought it meant I failed,” he says. “But I eventually realized that the path I was originally on wasn’t meant for me, and that was okay.” 

To help pay for school, Sean applied for and received the Park Saiz Construction Trade Scholarship from the CNM Foundation. This scholarship is specifically for CNM students enrolled in a trades program and helped Sean cover tuition and tools.  

Sean is set to graduate in 2025 and the next step will be an apprenticeship and then a path toward a Journeyman electrician position. He knows he has a lot of work in front of him but he’s glad he made the switch to the electrical trades and is constantly encouraging others to follow what makes them happy.  

“My biggest piece of advice is to not be afraid to make a change and do what’s best for you,” he says.