Devin Howard’s story is what you might call a South Side plot twist. He grew up in one of Chicago’s toughest neighborhoods, dodging the violence and poverty that have tripped up too many. He was bright—graduated from Urban Prep with a 3.8 GPA and played football, aiming for a future in nursing at Eastern Illinois University. But sometimes, what you think is your dream just doesn’t fit, and Devin realized the medical field wasn’t his thing.

He came back home, which could have been a risky move, especially when he even considered joining the Navy—then bailed at the last minute. That kind of indecision usually doesn’t get you far in Chicago, unless you’re trying to pick a pizza place. But Devin wasn’t giving up. He heard about Project H.O.O.D.’s carpentry program and saw his shot. Trades aren’t for everyone, but for a lot of folks, they’re an overlooked ticket out of tough circumstances. Honestly, not every hero wears a cap and gown—some show up with a hard hat and a tape measure.

Devin threw himself into carpentry, never missing a day, racking up certifications. Then he met Bill, a CEO at Reed Construction. Cue the pandemic, which tossed a wrench into Devin’s job hunt. But fate had other plans—one forgotten business card and a bold voicemail later, Devin landed a job as a project engineer. Pretty sure his guidance counselor didn’t predict that one.

Fast forward, and Devin’s now a project manager, running sites across Chicago. From almost falling through the cracks to leading major builds—talk about flipping the script. He recently spoke to a graduating class of electricians and nailed it: "Poverty ran my family until it ran into me." That’s the kind of line that belongs on billboards.

Stories like Devin’s are why there’s a push to bring back trades in schools, as seen in places like New Hampshire and the Dakotas. Illinois, take the hint—there’s a big demand, and these jobs are changing lives. Sometimes, building a better community starts with literally building something.

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South Side Chicago Success: Devin Howard’s Rise From Poverty to Project Manager