When Niyi Ajisemola relocated to the United States, he arrived without a job and without a clear pathway into the industry he wanted to enter. Today, he is a Construction Manager at HNTB Corporation, working on the Purple Line project. The road between those two points runs directly through Project JumpStart.
Niyi came to the program looking for structure and hands-on experience in construction. What he found was significantly more than that. One of his earliest challenges was adapting to the imperial system of measurement — a sharp contrast from the metric system he had used throughout his life in West Africa. He pushed through by practicing consistently, asking questions, and applying what he learned in real scenarios until it became second nature. That willingness to stay the course through difficulty would prove to be one of the defining characteristics of his time in the program.
A turning point came when Niyi recognized that technical skill alone does not make someone successful in construction. Consistency, the ability to follow directions, and knowing when to take initiative matter just as much. That insight shifted how he approached his training — and how he has approached his career ever since.
Beyond the tools and the trade, JumpStart helped Niyi develop something harder to teach: the discipline to listen with the intent to understand before acting. In construction, miscommunication is costly. Clarity is not optional. That lesson has stayed with him.
The program also prepared him in ways he did not anticipate. Financial literacy, credit building, resume development, and direct employer connections gave him a foundation that extended well beyond the job site. He was hired by the first employer he was introduced to — Southway Builders — and that opportunity opened the door to where he stands today.
For anyone considering the program, Niyi’s message is straightforward: take the leap. JumpStart offers real skills, real direction, and a genuine second chance to reach your full potential.