Alumni Spotlight: From Student to Skilled Electrician and Mentor
When Miles Smith first enrolled at Rappahannock Community College (RCC), he wasn’t chasing a four-year degree. Community college felt like the right fit. It was practical, affordable, and grounded in opportunity. Looking back, he says that decision set the foundation for everything he’s accomplished since.
Like many community college students, Miles balanced more than just classes. He juggled school, work, and bills, often wondering if he could keep up. There were tough moments, but his parents’ encouragement and belief in him kept him going. “They helped me find solutions instead of giving up,” he recalls. That persistence would pay off in ways he never imagined.
The turning point came during his workforce training course, Residential Wiring. Miles already had some experience in the field, but the class connected the dots between theory and practice. “When I finally wired my first residence, flipped the circuit breakers, and saw everything come to life—that was it,” Miles says. “The lights came on, literally and figuratively.”
That single moment transformed his confidence. He realized he wasn’t just learning to pass exams, he was mastering a trade that could change his life. From then on, every class, every job site, every wire he ran deepened his sense of purpose. Community college had given him not only skills, but a vision for the future.
Prior to RCC, Miles had received his A.A.S. degree and he was working on his licensure to become an electrician. He then worked his way up as an electrician. Yet, even as his career grew, he never lost touch with his instructors or the school that helped shape him. Over time, a new calling emerged: to give back.
“I wanted to help the next generation of electricians find their footing,” Miles says. “Teaching allows me to combine my field experience with the same kind of support that made such a difference in my own life.”
Today, as both a tradesman and educator, Miles encourages the education received at community colleges. “People often see them as a second choice,” he says, “but they’re one of the smartest and most direct paths to opportunity.” In his view, classrooms and labs aren’t just academic spaces, they're training grounds for the workforce that keeps our communities running.
Miles believes the trades are more essential now than ever. “Every building that lights up, every outlet that powers someone’s day—that’s the work of skilled tradespeople,” he says. “You don’t just study concepts; you bring power to homes, schools, and businesses.”
For anyone uncertain about their next step, Miles offers simple advice, “Take that first step. Enroll. Show up. Learn the skills that make a difference.”
For Miles Smith, community college wasn’t a backup plan, it was the beginning of a lifelong career and a way to do what he truly loved doing. Congratulations on your accomplishments. We are very happy that you chose the RCC family as a part of your education and a place where you can share your expertise.