When it comes to Dallas Center-Grimes High School Senior Luke Lampe, his ability and curiosity to try new things have worked in his favor. He is a school-to-work intern, working as an electrician at The Waldinger Corporation. After graduation, Luke plans to go to trade school to continue his electrical work. Luke Lampe is the third senior from DCG’s Class of 2026 to be spotlighted for all he has accomplished at DCG and as a part of National Career and Technical Education Month.
Where It All Began
When questioned why he is interested in electrical work, he says the factors are endless. Luke was unsure if he wanted to go to college and realized he loves hands-on work, so that’s when the electrician pathway caught his eye. He found that they have good pay and job security, but what appealed to him most was the possibility of starting his own company in the future. From there, Luke got a summer job at ARC Electric to test the waters and truly see if he enjoyed it, and the rest is history. That’s when Luke knew he wanted to be an electrician. While at ARC, he did more of the residential side of electrical work, so when he started school-to-work, he wanted to try out more commercial electrical, so he joined the union with The Waldinger Corporation.
School-to-Work Intern
At The Waldinger Corporation, Luke usually works with a journeyman to help complete any tasks they are assigned that day. Some days, if the task at hand is too complex, Luke will get to shadow and learn, while other days, Luke can have tasks of his own that he gets to complete.
Luke notes, “School to work has helped further my career greatly as I can use the experience on any applications for jobs, as many other people my age are trying to get into this trade may not have experience.” Luke shows gratitude towards the people that he gets to work with because without their generosity, he wouldn’t be where he is today. The flexibility with Luke’s constantly changing schedule has always been notable to him. He mentions how the people he’s gotten to work with have not only increased his work experience, but it has helped him expand his network. The impact that DCG’s school-to-work program has on not only Luke but all of the other students involved in it is tremendous.
Luke’s favorite thing he gets to do at work is interacting with people of all ages and skill levels. He finds it fascinating because he gets to learn from people who have been doing this for 40 years, or even just learning from apprentices, which has an impact, too. Electrical life isn’t always as glamorous as you may think. Luke has faced many challenges while working. An example he includes is “working through the freezing rain or very cold temperatures to finish a project that has a timeline that is nearing its deadline, meaning no matter the weather or circumstances, you have to get the job done.”
Life on the Court
Growing up around the sport of basketball, it was easy for Luke to continue this sport from his childhood, all the way to high school. Basketball is so much more than a sport to Luke; he views it as a gateway to creating meaningful bonds with friends, allows athletes to learn life lessons, create memories, and he could go on. The bottom line is that Luke really enjoys just staying active, and basketball is just that for him, whether it’s at practice, a game, or getting into the weight room. While basketball wraps up in the next month, he takes time to cherish playing with his friends and the people he won’t see as much when he is out of high school.
The Juggling Act
While balancing school-to-work, basketball, school, and everything else in Luke’s life, it can become challenging. Luke has found a healthy balance of being on top of any school work, making sure to check his emails for any updates, and most of all, knowing his routine. While juggling all of these different areas can be hard, there are certainly valuable lessons that come with it, and Luke says, “The most valuable life lesson I have learned is that communication is key as it builds relationships, helps you resolve problems more effectively, and finally helps you grow as a person. Without strong communication, people may never resolve conflicts they have with each other or become better leaders. Which are vital to the success of any team you are in, but also important for personal success.”
DCG’s Impact
DCG is extremely impactful in supporting not only Luke, but all DCG students trying to balance school, extracurriculars, and more.
“The DCG school-to-work program has helped a lot,” shares Lampe. “It allows you to create your own hours and be more flexible, which is very helpful when my schedule changes a lot. Not only that, but it has also given me a headstart on experience in this work field by being able to do things like install and wire units and pull cable throughout the building, which has given me more of an idea of what my future could look like.”
Going forward, Luke plans to become an apprentice in the union by passing the aptitude test and getting accepted into the Trade School Program to start his hours and classes towards a journeyman’s license.
Luke is the epitome of what a DCG Mustang looks like. The talent and determination that come with him when faced with a challenge are exactly what DCG excellence is all about. DCG is so grateful to have so many talented and amazing seniors to spotlight when it comes to this series.
“You can always improve on something you do every day and stick through the hardships and challenges,” he shares. “You only live once and only have the opportunity to be in high school once, so make the most of it.”
Senior Spotlight Series
The DCG Senior Spotlight Series is produced by Rylee Renz, a school-to-work intern in the DCG Communications department. Renz is a senior in the DCG High School Class of 2026.