Meet Christian Drawdy

Meet Christian Drawdy

Christian Drawdy’s new career path began with a recommendation from a friend and a determination to rebuild. Christian attended an information session at his local Goodwill career center in Cornelia, where he learned about the many different programs that he could enroll in to help fast track him into a career. Christian learned about the Certified Welder program and was instantly convinced that it was the path he should follow. Christian shared a candid picture of the challenges he faced before arriving at Goodwill: two years sober while participating in drug court, no high school diploma, and living with depression and multiple injuries from a motorcycle accident. He also brought clear strengths: construction and mechanical experience, dependability, and punctuality. At the time he was working at restaurant prepping and cooking food, but he needed a career that could support him and his family. 

With the help of funding through Goodwill’s own social enterprise, Christian enrolled in the Certified Welder program at no cost to him and demonstrated the program’s key traits from day one. While attending Job Readiness Training (JRT) hosted by the career center, he actively participated and completed all assignments on time. He earned certifications in CPR/First Aid as well as OSHA 30. When drug court obligations affected his schedule, he communicated and continued to demonstrate reliability whenever he could attend.

At the welding training site, Christian’s work earned consistent praise. Instructors repeatedly reported strong welds, steady improvement, and attention to technique. On May 15, 2025, he passed the welding certification test and became certified in MIG welding. After completing the program, Christian pursued job leads relentlessly, visiting the Cornelia Career Center weekly and submitting multiple applications. Within two months, his persistence paid off and he was hired by Finger Lakes Fabrication in Homer, Georgia, at a starting rate of $19.00 per hour. The company provided him with additional training in TIG welding, and after achieving TIG certification, he received a $2.00 per hour raise plus backpay for training. Christian learned quickly and was trusted to set up and manage a contract on his own after just three weeks on the job.

Christian now reports that he enjoys going to work and values the new career he is building. His transition from kitchen prep to skilled welder shows how training, determination, and employer partnerships can transform a life. He continues to succeed on the job, grow his skills, and build a stable future. Congratulations, Christian Drawdy, a committed learner, a reliable employee, and a success story we’re proud to share.