Nothing could stop Jessica Garrett’s invincible will to succeed
When she was a college student, Jessica Garrett suffered the kind of vicious trauma that would crush the spirit of most people: domestic abuse that left her in a wheelchair.
Jessica isn’t most people. She refused to let anything keep her from her goal of having a career in the construction industry, and today when she’s not at work, she’s helping other young women overcome their challenges.
As a youth, Jessica was always fascinated by construction. Despite a high school guidance counsellor trying to advise her against it as a career, in Grade 12 she helped a team that was building a home for Habitat for Humanity. After that there was no doubt about what she wanted to do.
Jessica enrolled in Niagara College’s one-year Construction Trades Program to explore possibilities in the field, then took NC’s three-year Construction Engineering Technology studies, where she flourished.
Jessica’s strengths were noticed by many. She not only won the College’s first-ever Women in Construction Award, she also won the Niagara Scholar Award, StuCor Construction Ltd. Technical Report Award, the Hans Miethig Founder Award and the Niagara Construction Association Award.
For all of the successes, life has been anything but easy. On job sites during high school work terms she’d get sexist teasing from male classmates (“Hey, go get us a sandwich”) until teachers began to notice that the precision of her work was better than any of the boys’.
During college, having lived on her own since age 18, she was under such financial pressures that she had to work two jobs to pay her tuition.
Jessica’s most harrowing challenge was in first year, when an abusive relationship left her battered and distressed. For months she needed a wheelchair, then a cane and knee braces. She underwent therapy but kept up her studies, kept working part-time to survive. She never gave up.
Before she even graduated in 2019, an engineering company offered Jessica a full-time position as a technologist, helping generate drawings for highways, bridges and other major infrastructure.
Then she was hired by the City of Niagara Falls, where today she is a development technologist. Her role is to review engineering submissions and planning proposals for multi-million-dollar subdivisions and condominium projects.
Jessica says Niagara College helped her understand the strengths of her own critical thinking and how to make the most of it, by learning skills as diverse as computer-assisted drawing, architectural principles or how to calculate cost estimates for projects.
“The teachers inspired me,” says the soft-spoken Niagara alumna. “I know they had been successful in their careers before they came to teach, and I could tell how much they cared about their work.”
Jessica felt accepted and supported at the College. That encouragement and her own unbreakable determination kept her focused on succeeding.
“The guidance of college faculty and my passion for the field has helped me immensely. With the skills and opportunities that college provided, I was so thrilled to be able to go out there and get a career.”
After graduating from Niagara, she continued to serve as a tutor for three terms. Jessica still makes it a priority to support and encourage girls and young women across the community. She is a youth group leader at her church, and a motivational speaker the Niagara District School Board and other organizations. She enjoys working with youth in Grades 6 through 12, offering encouragement and strength as they deal with their own challenges.
Jessica is also chair of the local chapter of the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT), with a personal focus on providing student outreach.
“Everyone has their own struggles. I was excited to be able to tutor, try and make a difference in students’ lives. I remember how nervous you are, regardless of age or experience, with getting that first job.
“I overcame a lot during my time at college, recovering from physical limitations and going through therapy. Part of the challenge was keeping up the course work and getting the best grades I could. I’m proud of that.
“The key to personal success is believing you can do whatever you put your mind to.”
This story is part of a series featuring seven distinguished members of Niagara College’s alumni community, who have been nominated for Colleges Ontario’s prestigious 2023 Premier’s Awards.