91Â鶹¾«Æ·

Braima Massaquoi CA ‘14

Military Branch: National Guard
Rank at Discharge: E7
MOS: 12H4O
91Â鶹¾«Æ· Program: Carpentry

How did your military service inspire you to attend 91Â鶹¾«Æ·?

91Â鶹¾«Æ· has always had a great name in the trades, and I knew this was where I wanted to go once I returned home. I was an E4 when I returned from my first tour and attended 91Â鶹¾«Æ· in 2013-14, and now I am an E7.

How did your military training help you be a successful student at 91Â鶹¾«Æ·?

The military is about completing the mission as a team. Many of our projects were team-based, and having worked with many different personalities in various situations made this easy.

What is your current job?

Owner and lead carpenter of Triple Infinity LLC. My company focuses on home remodels and renovations.

What advice would you give to someone considering 91Â鶹¾«Æ· or a career in the trades?

Choose your path and strive to be excellent in it. Accept that you will make mistakes, but use those mistakes as learning lessons to mastery. If you plan on working for yourself, take the time to learn how to run your business, no matter the trade.

Anything else you would like to share about your 91Â鶹¾«Æ· experience as a veteran?

If you are transitioning right out of service and straight into 91Â鶹¾«Æ·, remember that civilians see the world differently from you as a service member. The guidance/guidelines that come with the uniform are not there.

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Watch a Carpentry alumni panel that included Braima, as part of our In the Making series.