The Hand-Built Life

When you ask Jason what success looks like, he doesn’t point to a corner office or a stock portfolio. He points to the pontoon boat where he spends weekends with his wife and kids, and the side-by-side he drives on local trails.

“If I was eight again, I’d feel like I’m rich,” he says. “By no means am I rich, but I’m able to have things that I’m absolutely blessed with.”

It’s a candid assessment of a career path that is often overlooked. Jason found his stability and his success not in a traditional corporate setting, but in the manufacturing sector of Tuscarawas County. For him, the appeal of the work goes beyond the steady paycheck; it’s rooted in the daily challenge of the job itself.

“I like the challenge. I like being able to do something they say can’t be done,” Jason explains. “I hate when people say, ‘We’ve never done this before’ or ‘We did it ten years ago and it doesn’t work.’ To me, it’s just a challenge to get after it.”

That drive is supported by a structure that allows for a distinct separation between work and life. The predictability of his schedule—often starting early and ending by mid-afternoon—means his evenings are truly his own.

“When I go home at night, I don’t have to worry about work. I don’t stress about work,” he notes. It’s a boundary actively encouraged by leadership. He recalls his boss explicitly telling him: When you get out of here, you have your personal life to live. Go home, be with your kids, be with your wife. Enjoy it every day.

The impact of this balance is profound, extending well beyond his bank account. After a few months on the job, Jason’s wife told him she felt he was simply a better person—happier, more attentive, a better husband, and a better father.

His path wasn’t accidental. It started at Buckeye Career Center studying industrial electricity, transitioning to Kent State University at Tuscarawas for a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology. By utilizing the local branch and securing an internship at GE, he saved a substantial amount of money while building a resume.

Now, he encourages others to explore the same opportunities.

“I truly believe Tuscarawas County has every opportunity to succeed. Just be curious and go after it,” Jason advises. “Don’t be afraid to be hands-on. You’re going to find what you like and what you dislike, and that’s going to give you the biggest chance to succeed.”

This video is part of the Invading Tusc video series.