Stephanie Stachura, Vice President of the Sisters of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134, based in Chicago, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss how her educational degree has impacted the way she instructs members within the union. She also explained how she is helping women at her Local deal with the unique challenges they will face during their careers as members of Local 134.
Stachura got her start away from the trades, earning a degree in education. After college, one of her former classmates got into the trades. After talking with her former classmate, Stachura was introduced to the Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT). This organization changed her future as she attended a hands-on day during the Technical Opportunities Program (TOP), which made Stachura realize she wanted to become an electrician. Stachura talked about the rest of her time in the CWIT Apprenticeship Readiness Program and the five-year apprenticeship program with Local 134, becoming a journeywoman and later a steward.
Training and mentoring are among the areas where Stachura uses her secondary education degree. She talked about how her educational background assists her as she trains new apprentices and helps them learn the trade. Stachura also discussed the different learning techniques and how she is able to best accommodate all types of learners, especially students with learning disabilities.
Finally, Stachura discussed how approaching one’s career from a business perspective could help women have a successful career. She also spoke about the unique challenges women in the trades face throughout their careers. Stachura explained that it is her job to bring the next generation of tradeswomen along and help them establish their pathway to success. Had it not been for her experiences in the union and mentors who encouraged her, Stachura said she would not have become the person she is today. Now she hopes she can instill the lessons she learned along the way into the tradeswomen of tomorrow.
Listen to the show above to hear more from Stachura.