Shining Success: Current Electrical Trades Student Powers Up Career Before Graduation
Gabrielle Meier, a first year adult student in the Electrical Trades program at Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center (EOC Tech) is making strides in the industry and has wasted no time applying her newfound skill set and securing a job in the field at Metro Emergency Upfitters, LLC (MEU) of Oklahoma City, shortly after she began her training at EOC Tech in August of 2024. Meier’s dedication, hands-on learning experience, and drive to succeed are setting the foundation for a bright future in a high-demand career.
Meier began studying in the Electrical Trades program at the start of the 2024 school year. She was eager to get started and hit the ground running by seeking opportunities to broaden her understanding and experience in Electrical Trades. She said EOC Tech Career Connection Coordinator, Travis Tracy, told her that Metro Emergency Upfitters were hiring.
“Mr. Tracy helped me build my resume and both he and my Instructor, Mr. Pinnick encouraged me to apply,” she said. “My grandpa is a police officer, so I was familiar with MEU and what they do. I thought it would be a pretty good fit for me.”
Metro Emergency Upfitters is a premier vehicle upfitter specializing in customizing a variety of vehicles for public safety and utility purposes. They focus on outfitting police and fire response vehicles, road maintenance vehicles, public utility vehicles, and other specialty vehicles. As a first year adult student, Meier said she originally wanted to go to school for carpentry, but found out that electrical work fascinated her.
“My family has land in Kansas and when we were trying to get a house up and running, along with a barn that’s on the property, that’s when I became interested in learning more about electrical work,” she said. “I wanted to attend EOC Tech last year but it didn’t fit into my schedule – so this year, I was sure to make it happen.”
Meier’s Instructor, EOC Tech’s Chris Pinnick, thinks highly of her work ethic and knows that she will excel at MEU and wherever her career in Electrical Trades takes her.
“Gabrielle demonstrates a strong commitment to gaining the skills necessary for a successful career in the Industry,” he said. “She is focused on hands-on learning and diligently prepares to enter the workforce.”
Meier is finishing up her first year at EOC Tech and the further she gets into the program, the more confident she becomes that Electrical Trades is where she needs to be. She said before she started EOC Tech’s program, she didn’t know what she wanted to do. Since her time studying Electrical Trades, she’s gotten a job, gained people skills, and a clear vision for her future.
“Through EOC Tech’s program, I am confident that I’ll always have a job that I’m interested in,” she said. “The field of Electrical Trades is always evolving and I know that I will always be busy learning something new.”
The Electrical Trades Program at EOC Tech opens the door to a bright future for students ready to power up their careers. Whether pursuing the Electrical Assistant or Residential/Commercial Electrician’s Assistant track, participants gain hands-on experience, real-world skills, and a solid foundation in a high-demand field. Open to Juniors, Seniors, and adult learners, this program not only prepares students for immediate job opportunities but also sets the stage for further certification and career advancement in the electrical industry.