Welcome to Episode 140 of Building My Legacy.
This podcast is a bit different as we learn about a vocational school in southern Texas that’s training its students to become welders — a career much in demand today. Our guests are Eliud Medina, the director of the Southern Industrial Careers Center (SICC), and Lily Maldonado, the school’s public relations officer and an admissions representative. The story of SICC is truly inspiring, particularly for those of you thinking about the next chapter of your life. Eliud and his all-female staff have discovered a unique way to make a contribution to their community and to build their legacy.
Lily shares with us what it’s like to be part of a traditionally male-dominated industry. We also learn about SICC students — recent high school graduates from an economically challenged background, older students looking to make a career change and even former prison inmates. The goal is to help these students move into a career where they can make a good living for themselves and their families. As Eliud and Lily tell us, the challenges can be great, but they experience tremendous joy when their students get good-paying jobs that promise a secure future.
So if you want to know:
- The benefits of giving people a chance — or a second chance
- The value a female team can bring to a male-dominated industry
- The importance of motivation and providing a look at the big picture
- Why leaders need to give people an environment where they can discover their talents and step up
About Eliud Medina and Lily Maldonado
Trained as a welder, Eliud Medina held various positions in management until he lost his job in the 2014 recession. He used that experience to found Southern Industrial Careers Center (SICC), a vocational school dedicated to teaching industrial trades in welding and fabrication. Lily Maldonado joined SICC’s all-female staff with no knowledge of welding, but with a desire to help people, especially those in low socioeconomic communities.
SICC has succeeded by helping its students at every stage — from obtaining financial assistance for their education to partnering with employers who can receive funding for on-the-job training. As Eliud points out, there is a tremendous demand for welders — not only for pipeline work and other heavy construction. In fact, 60 percent of everyday household products require some sort of welding. More information about SICC, its programs and partnership opportunities is available at www.southernindustrialcenter.com
About Lois Sonstegard, PhD
Working with business leaders for more than 30 years, Lois has learned that successful leaders have a passion to leave a meaningful legacy. Leaders often ask: When does one begin to think about legacy? Is there a “best” approach? Is there a process or steps one should follow?
Lois is dedicated not only to developing leaders but to helping them build a meaningful legacy. Learn more about how Lois can help your organization with Leadership Consulting and Executive Coaching:
https://build2morrow.com/
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Mike Saunders, MBA
