This month, we got to catch up with Bridges to Green Jobs graduate, William Gomez-Pereira, who completed the program in September 2023 and is now working as an Energy Auditor in his hometown of Chelsea, MA. But that is not where his journey began, nor where it ends.
Here are some highlights from a vibrant conversation between Program Officer Silvana Bastante-Muñoz and Will, who even a year post-program has the same positive attitude and a strong willingness to learn that immediately let us know we’d all be lucky to have him in the Clean Energy field.
Silvana (LISC): So, Will, did you grow up in the Boston area? What's your story?
Will: My parents [originally from El Salvador and Honduras] moved to East Boston before I was born, so we lived there for probably the first 3 years of my life, and then they bought a property in Chelsea in '98 or '99. So I've been in Chelsea since then.
Silvana (LISC): And what were you doing for work before you joined the Bridges to Green Jobs program? And what motivated you to get into Green?
Will: I was working at a dispensary here in Chelsea. I remember talking to my brother Johnny, I'm just not rocking with the pay over here, like it's super chill and all. But at the end of the day, I want to develop something that counts towards a career. And then he showed me the flier for Bridges to Green Jobs not long after. The pay looked good, and I thought, I might as well go give it a shot while I'm in this kind of transitional period.
Silvana (LISC): For sure! And what did you like about the two-week program?
Will: There was a lot that I liked about it! First and foremost, I liked getting in communication with a bunch of people that could provide the resources [financial coaching, transition coaching, field expertise]. At the end of the day, it’s all about knowing the resources that are available and knowing the people that can help direct you towards what is relevant to you.
All of you played very key roles. It was like, you helping introduce me to everybody, introducing us into the space, and just giving us the general game plan of what needs to happen going forward.
And of course, Jason [Bridges to Green Job’s technical trainer] was talking to me one day and I said ‘I’m interested in the [weatherization] work, but I just don't know if it's going to be for me immediately, because of my arm and leg [injury].’
And he said, ‘Oh, there's no problem with that! Are you good at math? You can just dip your feet into this and learn as much as you can and maybe go to become an energy auditor.’
That was the first time I heard about doing that kind of work. And you know, now I'm asking questions! I'm finding out what exactly they do. That was pretty much the game plan from there. [Bridges to Green Jobs] kind of set the stage for me. And then it was on me to just keep exploring and find the necessary information.
Silvana (LISC): That’s amazing! And you're doing that now, right? Tell me about your journey to your current position.
Will: So after [the program] helped me get my [weatherization] tech job, I got placed in a truck with a crew lead who showed me SO MUCH, but it kind of worked to my advantage. The job had its rough days, but I took it for what it was and I made the best out of it, because at the end of the day I was learning so much and I had bigger goals. And just coming from to this two-week program, I was already a step ahead of people who are coming in fresh, completely fresh.
The tougher months as a tech were completely necessary to get to where I am now. Because you have to get your feet wet just to understand what's going on in the field.
Silvana (LISC): That’s great to hear!
Will: Yeah, so that just built up all my knowledge from the program. And I did that for about 6 to 7 months. And then my brother had good timing again. He had an energy audit done from CAPIC [Chelsea-based organization]. And towards the end, my brother asked ‘How do you get into this field of work? My brother's already doing some installments.’ And they told him to check the website for openings since a couple of auditors just left–so all just really great timing.
Fast forward, I interviewed, got the job, and I got paid to go out to train for OSHA 10, Led Safe, and OSHA Confined Space. So after I got those 3 certifications, they sent me to classes from the Department of Energy, which was a 3-week long venture in Marlborough. The amount of knowledge that you gain from going to those classes is insane. You're actually with the top of the top experts of the State, so it's been all uphill since then!
Silvana (LISC): That’s amazing, Will. And do you have any long-term career goals or next steps?
Will: Definitely! I feel like once I got into this space, my career path was pretty clear, just because there were already seniors within my department. And just from hearing them do their own scheduling, and their pay–I was already sold. And there's multiple career advancements within that! Short-term, there's another certification that I'm working towards. It's to become a QCI, Quality Control Inspector. Those are my career goals for right now.
Silvana (LISC): Love the laser focus. How about other goals? Are you looking to buy a house? New car? Travel? Tell me about those things.
Will: Financial goals, yes. I definitely am looking to save up enough within the next year to buy a house in Chelsea.
Silvana (LISC): Wonderful. Well, thank you so much again for your time, Will!
Will is one of 60 graduates from LISC Massachusetts’s Bridges to Green Jobs program since it launched in 2022 in Boston, MA. With funding from TD Bank and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, LISC has expanded the program to Lawrence, MA, and exploring other cities statewide. Nationwide, LISC aims to replicate the model in Detroit and Newark to connect residents in those cities to high-demand, good-paying green jobs.