Ernesto Teran
Welding and Construction Pre-apprenticeship
Ernesto Teran, 22, comes from a long line of trade workers. When he finished high school in 2022, he was eager to learn the skills he would need to land a job on any work site.
He enrolled in Welding, and Construction Pre-apprenticeship programs, which fit his needs, being affordable and close to home in Pittsburg.
Since arriving on campus, Teran said he joined clubs, such a Hyphae Club, developed great relationships with instructors and fellow students. Outside of the classroom and welding labs, he joined efforts to improve campus, such as the project to rematriate the land by planting native plants throughout LMC’s Nature Preserve. He also supported LMC recruitment efforts by appearing in social media campaigns for his programs.
“At LMC, people understand we’re not rich, not Ivy League, and no one is pushing you down with cutthroat competition,” Teran said. “Everyone here is lifting each other up and we get a lot of incentive to succeed.”
At LMC, he said he learned “to be loud and clear, and to let people hear you. That’s how you fight for what you want.”
Teran, who is completing welding and construction pre-apprenticeship programs this spring, said he plans to join Local 342, the plumbers, steamfitters, welders, HVAC and pipeline union, and work in construction.
As for getting to the finish line, Teran said the key has been, “practice and practice. You’re not going get it the first time. Practice is how you get good at it.”