In high school, Jacob “Jake” Bailey didn’t have a clear vision for his future. He wasn’t a straight-A student, and he hadn’t mapped out a detailed career plan. But what he did have was a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn, and a father who knew the value of the trades. And as it turns out, that was enough to spark a career that has already put him years ahead of his peers.

Growing up in Mount Olive, Jake was surrounded by deep roots—his parents were graduates of the school, and he had no shortage of childhood memories tied to the district. After graduating in 2020, he did what many young people do: he started thinking about his next move. But while some of his classmates were looking at four-year universities, Jake was exploring something different—Ranken Technical College.

“I was just kind of floating through high school,” he admits. “I didn’t know what I wanted to do. My dad, who went to Ranken for machining, told me, ‘If I could do it over again, I’d be an electrician.’ So I looked into it.”

That decision set him on a fast-paced, high-earning path. He enrolled in Ranken’s two-year electrical program in August 2020, pushing through the challenges of COVID-era education to gain hands-on experience in a field with skyrocketing demand.

By the time he graduated, he had secured a union job at Olin Winchester, a leading ammunition manufacturer in East Alton, Illinois. Unlike many 20-year-olds struggling to find entry-level jobs, Jake started his career earning $38 an hour. Just over two years later, he’s making nearly $45 an hour—an income that has allowed him to purchase a home and a new truck before many of his peers have even finished their degrees.

“If you told me in high school that I’d be making this kind of money by 22, I don’t think I would’ve believed you,” he says. “But here I am, and I love what I do.”

His work as an industrial electrician is far from monotonous. He troubleshoots complex machinery—some of it dating back to World War II, a patchwork of old and new technologies. “It’s a challenge every day,” Jake says. “You walk in, and it’s never the same problem twice. You have to think critically, adapt, and sometimes get creative to keep production running.”

It’s a career that many high school students don’t even realize exists. “A lot of people hear ‘electrician’ and picture someone climbing poles or wiring houses,” he says. “Industrial electricity is a whole different world. We keep factories running. We’re the ones they call when a machine breaks down and needs to be back online—fast.”

One of the biggest draws of his profession is the financial stability it provides. Unlike the traditional college route, where graduates often face years of student loan debt, Jake was earning a solid wage immediately after finishing his two-year program. Ranken’s tuition totaled around $36,000—a fraction of what a four-year degree costs—and he was able to step into a career that pays well above the national average for recent graduates.

And while the paychecks are nice, the benefits of union membership have also been a game changer. “I work out of Hall 649 in Alton,” he explains. “My union dues are about $200 a month, but that gives me job security, good benefits, and a solid support system. If you’re in a trade, a union is one of the best ways to protect your future.”

Looking back, Jake knows he made the right decision—and he hopes more students will consider the trades as a viable, even superior, alternative to a traditional college degree. “Trades are a great way to go,” he says. “There’s always going to be demand. There’s always going to be work. And if you’re willing to put in the effort, you can make a great living.”

His advice for current Mount Olive students? “Don’t overlook the trades. If you like working with your hands, if you like problem-solving, if you want a career where you can earn good money without drowning in debt—this is it.”

Jake’s story isn’t just one of success; it’s one of possibility. It’s proof that a fulfilling, high-paying career doesn’t have to start with a four-year degree. Sometimes, all it takes is the right opportunity, the right training, and the right mindset to spark something powerful.