Nick Sunley Finds His 'Sweet' Spot in Construction
O’Shea recently participated in Sangamon-Menard Schools’ Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) program during fall 2019. The MC3 is a nationally recognized apprenticeship-readiness training curriculum that offers hands-on-learning and a pathway toward a construction career apprenticeship.
For our part, O’Shea hosted the full MC3 class for two O’Shea University sessions where they learned about construction management and project planning, along with the O’Shea Way and culture. In addition, the students also toured the YMCA project.
Although the MC3 is a nationally recognized program, this is the first year the Sangamon-Menard Schools are offering it to students. This year’s class included seven students from Auburn, Pleasant Plains, Riverton, Sangamon County Learning Academy, and Tri-City.
Chris Edmonds, the program instructor, sees the benefits of implementing this class early on for high school students.
“MC3 is important for students because it allows them hands-on experience. Nowadays, most students have the opportunity to take career and technical classes at their high schools. However, this program goes a step further and enables these students to take what they have learned in the classroom and use it alongside the best in the industry,” Chris said.
As part of the program, students spent two days a week at a local business they’re interested in for on-the-job training. Nick Sunley, a senior at Pleasant Plains, expressed a desire to learn more about construction, so he spent his time job shadowing different O’Shea departments and attending operations meetings.
Nick said his time at O’Shea was a worthwhile experience, even though he was a little nervous the first day.
“During my first day, I was really nervous, but that changed quickly because everyone I met was so nice. They made me feel like I was already part of the team.”
Through his job shadow experience, Nick learned about the teamwork involved in construction.
“The most surprising thing I learned is how much work, planning, and coordination it takes to build a facility. In my mind, it was simple because I had no idea. But coming to O’Shea and shadowing all the departments really was eye opening. I saw that a successful project really does involve a whole team, not just a single person or even just a few people.”
Senior Project Manager Mike Sunley, who spent time with Nick and also discovered they’re long-lost cousins, was impressed with what he saw.
“Nick is very passionate about the construction industry, and as long as he stays driven and enthusiastic about his future, he will have a successful career.”
Nick plans to go to college and earn a degree in project/construction management.
“I finished the MC3 program knowing this is the industry I want to be in. Construction gives you this feeling of gratitude, so you can say at the end of the project, ‘Man, I helped build that structure.’ And that’s the bandwagon I’m willing to jump on and go full speed ahead,” Nick said.