Success Story
Derrick
Like many young people, Indianapolis native Derrick Evans didn’t have much of a plan for adult life. He attended Arsenal Technical and Lawrence North high schools before leaving both and earning his GED at age 15. Derrick then worked the only jobs available to him, fast food and retail, before getting more serious about a career and earning his Certified Nurse Aide credential.
“Starting when I was 17, I was a CNA for several years in nursing homes,” he said. “It seemed normal to me because I like helping people. The people who live there —this is their life.”
But when he was promoted to scheduling the staff and managing human resources issues, he realized he preferred hands-on work to management.
“I was making a lot of money, but it was a nightmare to have everyone complaining to me,” he said.
A friend suggested Derrick look into the BY program. He was in the first BY class in 2018.
“I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, so when BY crossed my path, that was my transition out of nursing,” he said. “I’ve always been a builder and creative, so construction seemed like a fit.”
Derrick chose the electrical field as his specialty, and after finishing the program he secured a job with an Indianapolis electrical contractor. He said contractors who came into BY classrooms helped him get his start. “After about a year with that first company, I heard about another company that paid better, so I made the switch,” he said. “It was an easy transition.”
And job security seems virtually guaranteed. “Everything is electrical,” he said. “I like being an electrician, I like the trade.”
Stories like Derrick’s wouldn’t be possible without support from Lilly Endowment – Thank you!