Meet the Student: Jared McCune - "Follow Your Dreams and Passion. Not the Norm."

I grew up in a family of medical professionals, my parents, aunts and uncles. All except for my grandfather. ⁣

My grandfather and I would build something every time we were together. ⁣

Unfortunately, I lost him when I was 10 years old. ⁣

He taught me the value of working with my hands and taking pride in what I create. ⁣

What's your story?

Being surrounded by parents in the medical industry they would always make it very clear that to be successful, I needed to go to a 4 year college. ⁣

Growing up, my parents and I knew how much I loved building and using my imagination to create. ⁣

Going through high school I was always a great student taking as many AP classes as I could, but I would always take woodshop as my elective. ⁣

At that time, I was so embarrassed to take woodshop. ⁣

It was looked down upon at my school, only the weirdos and “hicks” took it, but it was my passion. ⁣

After high school I was accepted into Penn State engineering school. ⁣

I was on top of the world, I was going to get my engineering degree, become successful and make my parents proud...⁣

It wasn’t until a year I knew there was more to life than sitting behind a desk working my 9 to 5 doing CAD drawings. ⁣

I dropped out of engineering school after discovering Penn college. ⁣

It's been the greatest decision I've ever made. ⁣

Instead of going to class and integrating trigonometric functions, I frame walls and roofs. I do what I love. Every. Single. Day. ⁣

I’m surrounded by people who are just as passionate about working with their hands as much as I am. ⁣

My parents were skeptical about deciding to go to trade school, but man are they proud now. ⁣

I have expanded my skills past woodworking into new construction and remodeling. ⁣

I can now take them into the real world and create amazing spaces, all while making good money. ⁣

To me it’s not even work, it’s what I love. ⁣

I hope to encourage other people to break away from the norm, to work with their hands, and follow what their heart says. ⁣

"Don’t be discouraged if what you want isn’t what the majority is doing. ⁣If it's your passion, take it. And run like I did."

Where can people connect with you?

Jared McCune // 21, Carpentry Student at Penn College

Hammr Profile hammr.com/jared

Instagram @j.mccune_construction