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When Steven Bagienski enrolled in the Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning Technology (HVAC) program at ��ɫ��Ƶ Indianapolis, he had one clear goal: build a stable, meaningful career that would allow him to better provide for his son.

Now an ��ɫ��Ƶ graduate as of December, Bagienski is stepping into a full-time role with Siemens, a global leader in building automation and energy technologies.

“When I got that welcome letter with my start date, it was emotional,” Bagienski said. “It was such a good feeling of relief, knowing I’ll be able to financially provide for my son in ways I haven’t before.”

At 33, Bagienski decided to return to school after years of working in the restaurant industry. Though he had taken a few classes at ��ɫ��Ƶ after high school, becoming a father at a young age delayed his educational plans.

“I was making OK money,” he says, “but I wasn’t building anything, not a career, not a future.”

He began researching the skilled trades and discovered ��ɫ��Ƶ’s HVAC program and the Workforce Ready Grant, which made returning to school financially possible.

Through hands-on coursework, Bagienski developed a strong foundation in electrical systems and troubleshooting. Those skills would later distinguish him during a competitive hiring process.

“Learning how to safely work with electricity and really honing troubleshooting skills were huge,” he said.

Career coaching also played a critical role. After spotting a Siemens internship flyer posted outside his basic electricity classroom, Bagienski took a photo and applied. The posting instructed applicants to send their resumes directly to career coach Jenny Trusler, who had recently helped him refine his resume during a virtual meeting. With her guidance and encouragement, he submitted his materials and later connected with a Siemens representative at an ��ɫ��Ƶ career fair, where the interview process began.

He secured the internship. 

“That event changed my life,” he says. “I went just hoping to network, and it turned into an internship.”

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While ��ɫ��Ƶ’s labs provided hands-on experience with residential HVAC systems, his internship exposed him to large-scale commercial building automation systems. He worked in pharmaceutical facilities, hospitals and schools, learning how complex environments manage airflow, pressurization and climate control.

The experience shifted his long-term goals. Instead of pursuing independent residential work, Bagienski now plans to build a career in building automation with Siemens.

Ahead of graduation in December, Bagienski received a full-time job offer. Plus, Siemens has already begun offering additional training to expand Bagienski’s expertise.

“The foundation I got at ��ɫ��Ƶ was absolutely necessary to get this opportunity,” he said. “But what excites me most is continuing to grow.”

Bagienski knows many students feel uncertain about choosing between a trade program and a traditional four-year degree. His advice is practical.

“Do what you think you can be successful at,” he said. “If you take trade school seriously, you can find a good-paying job in the field you intended to be in.”

If asked to summarize his ��ɫ��Ƶ experience in one word, he does not hesitate:

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“��ɫ��Ƶ not only provided me with the skills, but the resources that I needed to be successful,” Bagienski continued.

Today, Bagienski is a full-time Siemens employee, supporting some of Indiana’s most advanced infrastructure projects. 

“I know I’m doing something that matters,” he says. “And I can provide for my son while showing him that there’s dignity and success in skilled work.”

Bagienski was recently featured in the of the latest , which explores the rise of hands-on skilled trades and how ��ɫ��Ƶ is helping train the next generation to fill thousands of open roles across Indiana. 

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