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As one of the welders/fabricators at The Farfield Company ELLIOT SOMMERS ‘23 is tasked with daily challenges that make him use his creative side. One day he can be found welding a pipe and the next making a manhole cover lift. It is always fun for him to see what he will be working on each day and he loves the variety of the job.
In addition to enjoying the work, some of the highlights of working for The Farfield Company so far have been getting to know great people. He has really appreciated his boss and how he has taught him about welding and fabrication.
One thing that influenced him to get into welding was Ryan King’s welding class that he took as an 11th grader. He says, “I loved working with my hands and just the whole idea of it. I then talked with my Guidance Counselor, Mrs. Shenk. She told me about an opportunity to go to the Career and Technology Center (CTC) in Mt. Joy for my senior year for welding, which I wanted to do immediately. I signed up and got in for my senior year. I learned a lot that year and it was definitely worth it. I got a job right after graduation.”
Some of his fondest memories from LMH were helping out on the tech crew with RYAN ROHRER ‘95 in chapels and drama productions. He also loved taking all of the tech ed and shop classes he could with Mr. King, from small engines to construction tech and welding.
Elliott’s advice to students exploring their future path is, “Find something you love doing and follow that passion, like how I found welding. Look into the trades if you like working with your hands. They are always hiring and you will meet great people!” and “Stay creative. It’s important to remain creative and curious. It helps me a lot to try to think of different ways to do things in the shop that might make the project a little easier.”
