After deciding that university wasn’t the right fit for her, Jessica Ranalli ‘17 wanted to discover a new path. She turned to Mohawk College to build her career.  

  “I took some time off from school before I applied to Mohawk and started a family, which gave me some time to think about the future,” she says. “I had always been drawn to building and construction, which led me to the Architectural Technology program.” 

Mohawk’s Architectural Technology program prepares students for a future ready career in architecture by teaching them the necessary skills to hone at every stage of development. From technical skills to technological knowledge, students learn a diverse set of techniques to ensure their confidence in building the structures that hold communities together. 

On top of the hands-on learning she experienced, Jessica also got to complete co-op placements during her studies.

  “The opportunity to gain hands-on experience through co-op was a key deciding factor in my studies at Mohawk College,” she says. “There was always an opportunity to try something else beyond what my specific role for [my] co-op was and it was great.” 

Jessica completed her placements with Walters Group, one of Mohawk’s Future Ready Premium Employers. It was the perfect blend of working in the construction field and having opportunities to try new things, with an offer of employment waiting for her when she finished. 

Jessica says, “I love the company, the people and the type of work. I enjoy getting to be a part of projects that are shaping the landscape of North America. I was able to learn about various departments and was drawn to project management. Nearing the end of my second co-op, I was offered a full-time position as project coordinator upon graduation.” 

Today, Jessica works as a project manager with Walters Group. As she naturally took on more responsibility in her coordinator role, Jessica was promoted within three years of her initial hiring. 

“I learned a bit about how everything worked as time went on, to the point of solo running projects,” she says. “My manager supported me all the way. As I transitioned to doing more on my own, I was eventually promoted. It’s a proud achievement in my career, for sure.” 

As a community-based company, Walters Group’s partnership with Mohawk College as a Premium Employer is strong. Walters supports Mohawk’s co-op and apprenticeship students through meaningful placements and consistently connects with students through industry events. In addition, Walters is a partner of key Mohawk initiatives such as City School and CityLab that encourages important campus-to-community connections. 

Jessica is one of many women building a career in the trades and the numbers are growing each year. To pave the way for more women like her to work in skilled trades is a proud milestone in her life. 

“When I started my co-op at Walters in 2016 to now, the number of women has grown. Having more women on-site is really exciting, especially young women from various architectural backgrounds. One of our co-op students reached out to me when she finished engineering school and told me I was an inspiration, which is a great feeling,” she says. 

There is an ever-growing need for women in the trades. Jessica has an important piece of advice for those looking to follow in her footsteps.
“It takes a lot of hard work and there will be challenges, so keep pushing through,” she says. “To see your projects come to life at the end is rewarding. Hard work, dedication and the willingness to learn can take you a long way.”