• Posted: December 5, 2022
• Alyssa Cruz, Block Electric, IBEW-NECA Technical Institute, IN-TECH, Infrastructure Talent Pipeline Challenge, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 134, Local IBEW 134, President Joe Biden, White House

It’s not everyday you get a call from the White House inviting you to introduce the President of the United States. But that’s exactly what happened for Local IBEW 134 apprentice, Alyssa Cruz.

Cruz says she was at breakfast with a number of industry people, including Don Finn, IBEW Local 134 business manager, when Finn received the invitation from the White House for someone to introduce President Joe Biden for his discussion of the Infrastructure Talent Pipeline Challenge.

“He looked at me and he goes, ‘Do you want to go to Washington, D.C. next week?’ And I was like, ‘Oh yeah, sure.’ And he goes, ‘All right, cool. You’re going to introduce the president.’ I was like, ‘Oh, of our international union?’ And he’s like, ‘No, Joe Biden.’ I was like, ‘Oh, wait, you’re serious?’”

Within days, Cruz prepared a speech and traveled to Washington to represent the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), share her story of joining the trades and to introduce President Joe Biden.

“It was exhilarating. It was exhausting, very intimidating. But I could not be more grateful for having this experience,” said Cruz.

Cruz’s path to the union

Before joining the union, Cruz attended University of Illinois, Chicago, where she studied business management and accounting. She went on to serve as a financial adviser at New York Life Insurance Company before jumping into a new chapter of her career and entering the apprenticeship program at IN-TECH.

In fact, it was while she was working at New York Life reviewing her uncles’ pension plans, who are also IBEW Local 134 members, when she was first struck by the idea of switching gears and pursuing a career in the electrical trade.

“The financial and health care benefits really caught my eye,” Cruz said.

So, the Chicago-native decided to make the jump into a new chapter of her career, following not only in her five uncles’ footsteps, but her father’s as well. (Click here for more on the Cruz family’s story.)

“I think initially my dad was nervous for his youngest and only daughter to get into trade. Now that we’ve worked together and he sees how I compose myself, he’s super proud.” Cruz said.

Cruz said.

Breaking stereotypes in the electrical industry

Today, Cruz is working at Block Electric Company, Inc.. Whether she intended to or not, the confident and composed Latina apprentice is a role model for other young women who are looking to break down barriers and pursue better careers as skilled union electricians.

“Women are definitely a force. I feel like initially we’re underestimated, and I have yet to see a fellow female coworker or any woman fall short of expectations on the job site. There’s nothing we can’t do that the guys can,” said Cruz.

Click here to watch the full YouTube clip of Alyssa speaking at the White House.