On the Job: Chase Arevalo 

Like many young people, Chase Arevalo’s career path wasn’t a straight line. The 2017 Grand Blanc High School graduate took TeenQuest during high school and learned the basics of what it took to be a professional in the workplace, getting the groundwork that would help him move forward. Arevalo’s career path began in a hardware store at 16, though it was just the first stop. After that first job he worked at a phone repair store, then as a lube tech, and then he went on to factory work. He finally found a career that challenged and engaged him – electrical work.  

Arevalo began as an apprentice electrician, working his way up the ladder slowly, and has now been in the electrical industry for five years. He received his journeyman electrician’s license in May of 2023. Now that he’s become established in his profession, his typical day sees less hands-on work and has him using more of his management skills, though he misses the hands-on electrical work.  

Even though he’s discovered his passion for the electrical field, he is still looking to continue his education and to keep pushing himself to grow. Ultimately, he wants to get his master electrician’s card and start his own company. Until then, he’ll keep challenging himself to expand his skill set.  

What does a typical day look like for you? 

Lately, it’s showing up at the job, discussing what my scope of the work was for the day, and trying to get all my other apprentices and helpers in line to make sure they’re keeping busy and making progress all day. I’m not as on the tools as I used to be. I have way too much energy as a 24-year-old to be in management.  

How did lessons learned in TeenQuest help you on your path to your current position? 

I think TeenQuest was more helpful in my acquisition of my job. How to talk to people, being professional, and speaking professionally. 

What advice can you offer current and former students of TeenQuest? 

I would definitely recommend anyone to take the class. Especially if they are any kind of motivated or ambitious and want to work and start early. That was my big thing. I wanted to start as soon as possible. Definitely worth it. 

What is your proudest moment since graduating from TeenQuest? 

Getting my Journeyman’s license. There’s only a 32 to 34% pass rate and I did it first try.