I took the SMCC intro to manufacturing class in Brunswick in 2020, just as COVID hit. Took 3 weeks of my time, (granted they paid me $500 a week,) interview at the end, I aced the interview, the guy practically hired me on the spot, but I had a notice to work out so he held off on the offer, said he would call me. Just as I finished the classes and went through that one interview, the union went on strike, which froze hiring.... there were like 20 of us... I think only one probably got the job and it was because he got scouted for the BIW wrestling team through Maine Maritime Academy, and I'm not even sure he got the job.

COVID and the strike fucked EVERYTHING up and kind of soured me. After the strike was over they started hiring literally EVERYONE they could get their hands on.... you can imagine that creates a range of potential employees.... rumors started flying about hard drugs in the yard and of course there's the massive parking issue, compounded with strict rules on being late and at the time it would have created a long commute for me while driving a truck. The job seemed more and more not worth it. I called twice a week for 2 weeks and got nothing so I gave up on it and took a job hanging ductwork for a company in Westbrook.