Anthony Colangelo 2W6, Electrical student
A career in the trades has been on Anthony’s mind for a long time. Several of his family members work in the trades, and a neighbor recommended Williamson College of the Trades due to his own family’s positive experience at the school. When Anthony learned he had been accepted into Williamson and was granted his first choice of programs, he was overjoyed. “I remember receiving a large envelope in the mail and rushing to my room to open it privately. When I realized I had been accepted into the Electrical program, I ran to my dad to share the news, and he became a little emotional. After that, I told the rest of my family and my neighbor. Everyone celebrated with me and congratulated me. It was such a big moment,” he reflects.
WHY THE TRADES?
Anthony was especially interested in exploring a career in the trades because he enjoys learning different ways to solve problems. He explains, “You can be more creative with the trades as opposed to other fields. When you’re given a problem, there are a million ways to solve it, and no one way is particularly correct. I really enjoy the variability and the challenge.”
TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT
Anthony is proud of the positive habits and strong work ethic he has developed since coming to Williamson. He admits that as a high school student, he was satisfied with meeting the minimum requirements. If class started at eight o’clock, he would be there on time. If his homework called for a five-page essay, he might settle for three and a half pages and be happy with a C grade. All that changed after enrolling at Williamson. “Coming here, I decided to hold myself to a higher standard, to regularly show up ten minutes earlier than I’m supposed to, and to become an A student,” he reflects. “I’ve really changed my attitude. I’m looking at things more positively, waking up and looking forward to the day instead of dreading it.”
SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES
In addition to thriving within the Electrical program, Anthony fully embraces the Williamson experience. Participating in the Student Cultural Awareness Program (SCAP) is one of his favorite extracurricular activities. SCAP is relatively new and involves weekly meetings where students discuss differences in cultures and backgrounds. Anthony says, “We apply what we talk about to our community through activities like volunteering or hosting mixers, highlighting different foods from various backgrounds. This is one example of how Williamson sets you up with tools you can use in the future. Whether you’re learning trade-specific skills or general values, like working hard or being punctual, students are encouraged to make the most of the opportunities available at Williamson.”
NEXT STEPS
After Anthony graduates, he hopes to become a first responder—either a paramedic or a firefighter—and firmly believes his Williamson education has prepared him for such a challenging career path. “I’ve learned the importance of working hard, arriving on time, and coming prepared—all important aspects of working as a first responder where there’s very little room for error.” Anthony also foresees that his experiences living on campus at Williamson will help him transition to a work environment that involves working and living with co-workers for extended periods, stating, “I enjoy the brotherhood at Williamson and look forward to becoming part of another close-knit community when I enter the workforce.”
Anthony Colangelo 2W6
Anticipated graduation: 2026
Trade focus: Electrical
Hometown: Newtown Square, Pennsylvania
Anthony Colangelo 2W6
Anticipated graduation: 2026
Trade focus: Electrical
Hometown: Newtown Square, Pennsylvania
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