After a semester at the University of Delaware, Jackson Sylvester realized college was not a good fit for his personality. Instead, Sylvester, the National FFA secretary, decided to enter the workforce in his hometown of Felton, Del.
“I never truly enjoyed being in the classroom,” he says. “I loved agriculture education because it granted me time to work with my hands. I loved building things, working with raw materials to create something functional.”
From 2020 to 2021, Sylvester — who learned to weld as a member of Lake Forest FFA — worked with two welding companies. His tasks included cutting metal, welding steel and aluminum, and running the machine shop.
He loved the precision, the process and the opportunity to work with his hands. While he was on the job, he earned a certification for welding and fabrication. Learning a trade felt like the right career path for Sylvester, and he says agricultural education gave him the confidence to pursue that path.
“Ag education granted me the opportunities within the classroom that were applicable to a real–life setting,” he says. “It felt like I could step into the industry prepared to work.”
Sylvester is currently enjoying his role as National FFA secretary and contemplating his next move. He may pursue a formal education in welding or return to college for a four-year degree in business or agriculture education. His long-term goal is to open a welding shop.
Rather than feel stressed about the lack of a firm plan, Sylvester has embraced the notion that he has so many options and appreciates the opportunity to explore different interests and industries before making a decision that will impact the rest of his life.
“It’s OK to not know what you want to do,” he says. “When we have the drive, we can accomplish anything we set our minds to.”
FFA offers several scholarships toward trade education. Darling Ingredients, Lincoln Electric and other companies provide scholarships for members interested in pursuing trade careers.
