Alena Pegus enthusiastically joined Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT) on January 23, 2023. During a one-on-one assessment, she was asked why she was interested in welding compared to other trades. Alena replied, "I am inspired by my mom, a certified plumber, and my dad, a welder. I love building with my hands and want to do something impactful to show my kids someday." When asked to describe herself in three words, Alena said, "I am confident, caring, and thoughtful. I'm also honest, charming, soft-spoken, and a Taurus, living my life going with the flow of my spirit."

On March 31, 2023, Alena completed the CWIT 10-week classroom training program, earning American Welding Society and OSHA-10 credentials. This comprehensive training included essential career readiness skills such as interview preparation, resume assistance, financial literacy, and mock interviews, which equipped Alena to secure training-related employment. After her mock interviews, Alena received positive employer feedback and was recognized as one of the best interviewers. Her hard work paid off when, after meeting with an employer on May 22, 2023, she secured a full-time position at S&C Electric as a Certified Welder, starting with an hourly wage of $21.00.

To continue enhancing her skill set, Alena has taken full advantage of the weekly CWIT Advanced Skills Seminar for alumni. During her visit in October 2023, she proudly reported a raise from $22.00 to $27.00 while remaining with the same employer. Alena also enjoys giving back to the community by visiting the CWIT welding class to share encouragement, discuss her current job roles, and recount her work experiences.

In addition to her welding achievements, the supportive services team interviewed Alena and accepted her into the 2024 Millwright Pre-Apprenticeship Program in collaboration with the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council Training Center. To facilitate her transition into the Millwright profession, Alena received tools provided by CWIT. Alena commenced the training program on August 26, 2024, and completed it on September 13, 2024.

As a result of her dedication and hard work, Alena is now a first-year Millwright apprentice as of 2025.