Submitted Photo Hanson Excavating Shop Manager Taylor Fedorenko, right, a Job Corps graduate, mentors current Burdick Job Corps Student Erik Heim during his Work Based Learning program at Hanson's shop in Minot.

For many students walking the halls of the Quentin N. Burdick Job Corps Center, the future can feel like a vast, undecided map. In 2012, Taylor Fedorenko was one of those students. A native of Max, Taylor arrived at the center at just 16 years old with no clear career path in sight.

Today, he sits in the front office as the shop manager at Hanson Excavating in Minot, proving that with the right mentorship and a relentless work ethic, the “map” leads to success.

Fedorenko’s trajectory changed the moment he stepped into the welding and fabrication shop. He credits his transformation to his former instructor, Gary Norman, who saw his potential before he saw it himself.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the help of Mr. Norman,” Fedorenko said. “I haven’t thanked him nearly as much as I should’ve.”

Under Norman’s mentorship, Fedorenko didn’t just learn to strike an arc; he learned the discipline required to build a career.

Fedorenko’s professional climb was fueled by a personal motto: “Make your own opportunities.”

His opportunities included: Bourgault Industries, where he started as a material handler and was quickly promoted to lead welder; Gravel Products, where att age 18, he transitioned roles and taught himself the complexities of diesel mechanics; and Hanson Excavating, where his expertise and drive led him to his current role as shop manager.

When Fedorenko found himself in a position to hire new talent for Hanson Excavating, his first instinct wasn’t to post a generic ad. It was to call the place that started it all.

“I wanted to reach out to the place that made it all possible,” he said. That phone call resulted in the hiring of current Burdick student Erik Heim.

Fedorenko admits that Heim started “as green as grass,” but he met that inexperience with the same patience he was once shown. He famously told Heim, “No one came out of the womb holding a wrench, so now is your time to learn.”

The investment is paying off. Heim has not only integrated into the workflow but has built a “following” among the veteran mechanics. Currently, five or six shop veterans have Heim’s back, ensuring he has the guidance he needs to master the trade.

For Fedorenko, watching Heim grow is like looking in a mirror. He sees the same spark he had years ago — a young man simply looking for a chance to succeed.

Fedorenko, who went from a 16 year old with no plan to a manager providing jobs for the next generation, leaves current students with these challenges:

– Try something new.

– Don’t be afraid to learn.

– Take full advantage of every resource Burdick Job Corps offers.