Adrian Vavala CA ’26

“Bigger things are coming for me”

Adrian Vavala, age 24 | Cambridge, Massachusetts
Carpentry ’26

What did you do before coming to NBSS?

I was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, and moved to Worcester, Massachusetts, when I was 18 to attend Clark University. I graduated in 2024 with a major in philosophy and a minor in studio art.

Throughout my time at Clark, I worked in the restaurant industry. Once I graduated, I worked full time as a food runner and waitress. My dad worked in restaurants, and I learned how to cook from him while growing up.

When/how did you discover for discipline/field?

I had zero experience in this field. The spark came during a sculpture class at Clark when we got to use the machine shop to make wood sculptures. I loved the tools, the precision, and the math of it all. One of my Clark professors always encouraged us to consider going into the trades. Then, one of my partner’s friends found NBSS and sent me the link to the Carpentry (CA) program. I went to an Open House and thought, ‘This could be what’s next.’

Why did you choose to invest in training for a new career?

I felt like I had followed everything that I was ‘supposed’ to do … graduate high school, go to college, and get a job. I was super proud of my accomplishments and getting my bachelor’s, but I felt unhappy and like I didn’t have a direction. Once I got accepted to NBSS and made up my mind that I was going, I thought, ‘Bigger things are coming for me.’ I was excited but also nervous. On the first day, though, everyone was super welcoming.

What are some ways you have felt supported during your time at School?

I received financial aid, which was so great. I wouldn’t have been able to attend without that. On top of that, the Instructors are awesome. They’re super knowledgeable, great teachers, and always there to answer questions. They push us to be better carpenters and offer a lot of support.

The School also provides awesome networking opportunities. The Instructors and the School know so many builders and companies in the Boston area, and those companies know the School’s high-level reputation. The Instructors bring in a lot of outside experts in their field, so we also get to learn from specialists in areas like building code, finishing, etc.

In addition, I found it so interesting to be in school with people from all different phases of their careers, different geographic areas, and different professional backgrounds. That was super cool.

How has your life changed because you chose to go to NBSS?

I feel like I have direction, and I’ve never felt that way. I’m doing what I want to be doing for the first time ever. I also feel a lot more confident in myself and have made some really great friends in the program.

I’ve acquired so much knowledge. I can even fix things around my own house now, which is great.

What’s next for you?

I was hired at a custom cabinetry company Bespoke of Winchester. I did my one-week field practicum with them, so I established a connection then. I was interested in cabinetry—the skill and detail it takes to make a good cabinet. I’m so excited to hone my skills in that area.

I was also hired by the School to finish installing some cabinets for the pantry and complete some other trim work in the CA department. And I’ll continue working once a week as a line cook at a Japanese-inspired restaurant, where I also worked throughout my time at NBSS.

What’s a favorite memory from your time at NBSS—something that’s stayed with you?

My favorite memory is the entire time we were building the sheds at Brookwood Farm in Canton, Massachusetts. We were in teams of five, building one shed each. I’m a team-oriented person, and I love working collaboratively. Getting to try everything and being exposed to each step in that process was super awesome. We even made the doors on the sheds. I had never done anything like that, and we all learned so much throughout the process. Our group had a lot of fun together and became really close.