She Saw Her Future at O&G and Made It Happen
When Jaylin Rosario first walked into O&G’s Bridgeport Mason store, she was a sophomore at Bullard-Havens Technical High School studying masonry. She was there to pick up materials with her classmates, but the experience gave her an early glimpse of where her technical education could lead.
Jaylin had already been introduced to the hands-on side of masonry. At O&G, however, she began to see the industry from a much broader perspective.
“I remember getting to see all the different sides,” she said. “In high school, I had been introduced to the physical aspect of masonry, but then I saw there was also a customer service side.”
Because Bullard-Havens worked closely with O&G, Jaylin returned to the Bridgeport location several times each year to pick up materials for class projects. Those visits gave her opportunities to speak with employees, explore the store and become familiar with the company.
The more she saw, the more certain she became that she wanted to return one day, not as a student, but as an employee.
“I told myself sophomore year, ‘You’re going to work here one day. You’re going to work for this company,’” Jaylin recalled.
Years later, she is doing exactly that.
Today, Jaylin works as an Inside Counter Sales Associate at the Bridgeport Mason store, assisting contractors and other customers with products, materials and information. The role allows her to build on the technical knowledge she gained in high school while learning more about sales, inventory, pricing and customer service.
For Jaylin, standing behind the same counter she once approached as a student has been especially meaningful.
“It was such a full-circle moment,” she said. “It still feels amazing.”
Jaylin brings curiosity and enthusiasm to every part of the job. She enjoys helping customers, applying what she already knows and learning something new through each interaction. She has also developed a greater appreciation for the role strong customer relationships play in O&G’s success.
“The loyalty here from our customers is something to brag about,” she said. “They keep coming in, and they’re so happy to see us.”
She credits the Bridgeport Mason team with making her feel welcome and supporting her as she learns the role. From answering questions to helping her understand products and processes, her coworkers have played an important part in her first few months.
Jaylin’s experience at O&G has opened her eyes to the many career paths available in construction and inspired her to think even bigger about her education. She is currently pursuing an associate degree in construction management and is considering transferring to a four-year program to earn a bachelor’s degree in construction management or explore civil engineering.
“When I first visited O&G, I saw the company from a student’s perspective,” she explained. “Now that I’m working here, I’m able to see how many opportunities there are. It’s more than a job. It’s a career and a starting point to grow.”
For now, Jaylin is focused on excelling in her current role and continuing to learn. Over time, she hopes to grow within the company and build a long-term career in construction.
Her advice to other technical high school students is simple: ask questions, get involved, and remain open to opportunities that may not be immediately visible.
“You never know where an opportunity can lead,” she said.
For Jaylin, that opportunity led her back to the place where she first imagined her future, and to the beginning of a career she is excited to build.
