January: Raymundo Vallejo Serrano
“Turning out felt incredible, and being named apprentice of the month was a fulfilling way to end my apprenticeship. Right now, I’m working at Levi’s Stadium—running circuits for lighting poles and installing receptacles so T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T can plug in. It’s real, high-impact work.
“Before 332, I spent two years nonunion—and man, it doesn’t compare. I did the same thing every single day: roughing in walls. No schooling, no advancement. It was a joke. In the union, you start with theory, get hands-on in the labs, and out in the field, I’ve done more than I ever imagined. Every job is different. You build something, run conduit, light it up—and when the circuit fires and everything glows clean and perfect? There’s real pride in that.
“What really gets me, though, is the brother- and sisterhood. It might sound cliché, but with the IBEW, it’s family. These are the people I talk to every day, invite to my house, and when I get married, they’ll all be there. The union builds that. You’re part of something bigger. And all the foremen and generals—they treat you like a human first. When leaders take care of their people, the people show up. That’s the union way.”
February: Carlos Cervantes
“Winning apprentice of the month, participating in the apprentice tournament, and turning out feel amazing—especially with my kids seeing me.
“Before the apprenticeship, I was doing general construction in my family’s homebuilding business. A neighbor introduced me to the electrical trade, and it felt like the right move. I wanted a career that challenged both my hands and my mind. This is a thinking person’s trade—every day you’re learning, solving, and building something that started in your imagination. You’re like an artist, and the hands-on work never gets old.
“The person who’s had the most impact on me is my mom. She fought cancer for years with a smile on her face. Even when life got hard, she kept going. She didn’t stop a day—and I don’t either. I tell my kids every morning: A smile can change your whole day and someone else’s too. That light? It comes from her.
“The IBEW is like a second family. People check up on you, support you, and celebrate your wins. You’re never alone—we’re all connected. That sense of care, of showing up for each other, is what keeps me going. Just like my mom did—with grit, grace, and a smile.”
March: Ashley Noriega
“Turning out feels incredible. This has always been the goal—becoming an electrician. I used to be a phlebotomist, then a laborer in the non-union world. Every morning, I would go to the union hall to try to get on the books. I showed up for months, hoping for a material handler call. After six months, I got in—and after a year and a half, I was accepted into the apprenticeship.
“The first time I applied, I didn’t pass the test. But I kept going. I was a single mom with two kids—now I have four. I couldn’t afford to give up. The day I got in, I was in disbelief. And when I passed the test, my employer immediately bumped me up to journeyman wages. That support changed everything.
“I love working with tools now. I came in so green I didn’t even know how to use a drill. But now, I can start a project, finish it, and see the result. And the IBEW? It’s more than a job—it’s a close-knit community. My kids have grown up with other members’ kids. We’ve built a life here. I tell my kids every day: Don’t let fear hold you back.”
April: Patrick Mackenzie
“Being named apprentice of the month was an honor, especially since I had just turned out. It was a capstone moment, something I can carry with pride. Before this, I went to college and tried teaching. I needed to get credentialed, but unpaid internships made it hard to make a living. That’s what drew me to the electrical apprenticeship: It puts you right out on the job site, on your feet, earning while learning.
“I like being active—always moving, working with my hands. At the end of the day, I can look at something and say, ‘I helped build that.’ One of my favorite jobs was at the Google campus, installing solar panels on the roof. The adrenaline, the view, the camaraderie—it all came together. That campus wasn’t just functional; it was beautiful. And I get to say I played a small part in it.
“Being part of IBEW means knowing you’re not alone. It’s about a long tradition of fighting for workers’ rights—what we have today was built by the people who came before us, and we’re building for those who come next.”
May: Sergio Rico
“Turning out feels good—there’s pride in knowing I finished the program and now get to put my skills to work. Winning the apprentice of the month meant a lot. You don’t always get recognized, so when you do, it sticks with you.
“After high school, I studied fire science and volunteered as a firefighter. But when funding got cut, I couldn’t afford to keep going. I needed to earn while learning. I found the IBEW and saw the value right away: training, good pay, and benefits—everything I needed to support my family. When my dad had a stroke in 2020, I had to step up for both him and my mom. That experience lit a fire under me to commit fully.
“I love this trade because the hands-on training is priceless. Learning from people who’ve been doing this 20 or 30 years—that can’t be taught in a classroom. It’s constant growth. One day someone teaches you a little trick, and the next day you’re using it in the field.
“That kind of mentorship is everything. When someone goes out of their way to teach me something new—that’s brother- and sisterhood. It gives us a competitive edge. People pass down knowledge so we can all go out and excel. That’s the IBEW difference: you’re never out here alone.”