Raelee Nicholson could have gone to just about any four-year college or university. A 2019 Charleroi Area High School graduate, she was a member of the National Honor Society, earned A’s in all of her honors classes, and scored in the 88th percentile on her College Board exams.
With a record as such, it’d be a natural transition for her to continue her education at an esteemed college or university, or perhaps even an Ivy League school, right?
Wrong. While her high school accolades checked all the boxes for a traditional four-year college path, Raelee paved her own path when choosing to go to a two-year trade school for diesel mechanics. And that path led her to Rosedale Technical College.
Raelee grew up around a technical-minded father who owned his own trucking company. She rebuilt her first car when she was 14 with the help of her cousin – a 1987 Firebird. It was this experience that fueled her desire to pursue a technical career path. Raelee initially wanted to drive trucks for a living just like him. Raelee’s dad encouraged her to consider other avenues to work with cars and trucks as he understands the intensity of overnight shifts truck drivers often have. After completing a research project in high school, Raelee became fascinated by the diesel field. Before beginning her college journey at Rosedale Tech, Raelee was asked to participate in a summer internship program with Cummins, where she gained valuable real-world training with a well-recognized company.
Despite her decision to attend a technical school, Raelee had to overlook a lot of negative feedback. The overall message she was receiving was that she was “too smart for trade school” and needed to pursue a four-year college path.
“At the end of the day, it’s whatever makes me happy,” she said. “I’m the one who is going to have to wake up every day and go to work.”
Having the opportunity to pursue her dreams with a hands-on education while obtaining her Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), Rosedale Technical College was the perfect fit (and location) for Raelee to find her career within the trades. She enrolled in Rosedale Tech’s Diesel Technology program, graduating in January 2021.
Prior to enrolling at Rosedale Tech, Raelee had been a top performer in her high school honors classes earning all A’s. She had also been accepted to several four-year colleges and was featured in the Wall Street Journal for her decision to not pursue a four-year college path.
Since graduating, Raelee has gained valuable experience working as a technician in small automotive and diesel repair shops. Currently, Raelee is working at Specialized Professional Services, Inc. (SPSI) as a technician maintaining a wide variety of vehicles and equipment from company cars to heavy machinery.
Rosedale Tech alumna Raelee Nicholson encourages those considering a career in the trades to ask for help when they are struggling. The support system at Rosedale Tech and within the trades industries is there to boost morale and inspire professionals to reach their potential, goals, and dreams.