Going to college isn't always the next step for high school graduates, especially in the urban core.
"I'm just looking for ways to help my family. College is a big investment, and it scares me that I'm not going to be able to pay my student loans and be in debt the rest of my life," senior Prince Herrera said.
Other students share Herrera's concerns.
That's why Kansas City contractor Alex Gonzalez is trying to spread the message to minority youth that, yes, there are other ways to make a living - by following his non-traditional career path.
"We have a big demand in the construction industry, especially in Kansas City," Gonzalez said.
Kansas City has many major construction projects, including the Cerner campus off Bannister road, one that Gonzalez works at.
Many skilled laborers are retiring and there are not enough people to replace them, so Gonzalez created a student outreach program.
Partnering with local trade unions, like carpenters and bricklayers, he visits schools like Alta Vista Charter High School to let students know what jobs are out there.
Gonzalez is working to get more Latinos into higher-up positions, like project managers and foremen. He said one-third of the construction industry is Latino.
"I want to give the opportunity to them, to be able to have a career, have their kids sent to college, their mortgage paid off. I want to see that change in the community," Gonzalez said.
"Just to know that there's more Latinos like me that work really hard and have a good rep, it makes me want to join a union and be committed," Herrera said.
The push isn't just for men - more and more women are successful in construction, too.
"I see a lot more women leaders," Gonzalez said. "A lot of the contractors and architects are women."
A few girls were at the Alta Vista presentation and showed real interest.
"I don't think it's weird. I think that women should be working in construction as well because it pays a lot of money," sophomore Ana Gutierrez said. "There's a lot of women who have children and the fathers leave. I think it would be a great opportunity for them."
Gonzalez said it's an opportunity to improve not only minority students' lives, but also their neighborhoods.
"More than likely, three or four kids out of five are going to end up in the same neighborhood. If they have this career, they're going to end up buying a house, so they're going to help their neighborhood, help their kids, and it's a chain for generations," Gonzalez said.
If you want to look into a career in construction, you can visit Gonzalez's website.
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Sarah Plake can be reached at Sarah.Plake@KSHB.com
