Alumni Focus - Evan Valleau ('23)

Evan Valleau (’23) is a recent grad who knew he didn’t want a desk job. He thrived in his Applied Tech class, and that cemented his decision to go into the trades. He shares about his time at SCLA leading the way to his HVAC career.

Where are you working currently and what kind of work do you do there?

I am working at Climate Makers. They are an HVAC union shop that does work around Minnesota. They also do work at SCLA, which is how I got connected with them. 

Why did you choose the trades over other options?

I really liked working with my hands – it suited me more. I liked taking things apart and putting them back together, and solving why it was broken, or why it didn’t work. I also liked the aspect of moving around and the more active and physical part of not just sitting behind a desk.

What activities, sports, or hobbies did you participate in at SCLA?

I participated in football, a year of soccer, basketball, and baseball. I also did Croixaliers. 

What are your favorite memories of your time at SCLA?

Football and working out with my teammates. We won the Section AAA Championships and went to State – that was really fun! The friendships that I made and hanging out with such a variety of different people from different backgrounds – that was really awesome.

How did your experience at SCLA prepare you for what you’re doing now?

It gave me a lot of confidence in many ways. It prepared me spiritually, with chapels and religion classes. It prepared me with my job –  Applied Tech classes gave me confidence that I wanted to work with my hands and wanted to work in the trades. It exposed me to lots of different jobs and lots of different subjects.

What advice do you have for SCLA students when considering their career options?

Really explore your options – ask a lot of questions of people. Go on job shadows with as many people as you can – even if you’re sort-of considering it, just go and see what a day in it looks like. Find something that you like doing, and figure out how to do that.