James Centini:  

After graduation, I attended Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport. After 2 years, I had earned an AAS in Computer-Aided Drafting Technology, and was well on my way towards earning 2 bachelor's degrees; one in Computer-Aided Product Design, and one in Technology Management (a 2+ program). While attending college, I worked in various local bars as a bouncer to make ends meet. Around the time I turned 21, I was offered a job designing, templating, and installing granite countertops and cabinets in South Williamsport. I was eager to start making a living, so I dropped the books and picked up a hard hat. For about 3 months, I worked 6 days a week, 10 hours a day, erecting a large granite facade at a local hospital, before returning to typical residential kitchen countertop and bathroom vanity installations. The stone countertop endeavor was short lived, and within a year and a half, I moved back to the Mizzy and returned to working at The What If... Of Hershey. While searching for an entry level detailing/drafting position, I quickly lost interest in pursuing a career in CAD due to low starting wages. One job listing caught my eye: "Non-CDL Driver - Newmanstown, PA". It was a garbage company, Lebanon Farms Disposal. This job was by far the most humbling experience of my entire life. 16 hour days, driving and loading, hanging off the back of a truck in Berks County in mid-January, and loading 25 tons of trash by hand every day - but it makes you strong, believe me. I continued hauling trash until October of 2012 when I was hired as a Design Technician by Solar Innovations, a high-end custom aluminum and glass enclosure manufacturer in Pine Grove. I enjoyed finally having an office job and it was here that I was first introduced to the fine art of construction estimating. Preliminary conceptual design and estimating for large custom skylights and folding glass walls for the super-rich wa...Expand for more