Meet the Alum: Gilliany Morales
When Gilliany Morales walked into NEW in 2017, she wasn’t sure what to expect. At 25, she was working as a patient financial advisor at a hospital in Washington Heights. College didn’t feel right for her at the time, but she wanted more — more opportunity, more financial stability, and more possibilities for her future.
“I had a few friends in the trades, but I didn’t even know women could work in them,” Gilliany admits. “Joining NEW opened my eyes to a world I never thought I could be a part of.”
That world quickly became hers. At NEW, she learned everything from painting and sanding to bending conduit and carrying ladders. But beyond the hands-on skills, it was the bonds she formed that left the deepest mark. “The most memorable part was the sisterhood we built,” she says. “We encouraged each other, celebrated the small wins, and even created a WhatsApp group to stay connected. We still cheered each other on long after graduation.”
When Gilliany Morales joined NEW in 2017, she never imagined the path it would open. From learning hands-on skills and building lifelong sisterhood, to becoming a bridge painter apprentice and later joining CTI, Gilliany kept pushing forward. Her dedication and strong work ethic earned her a promotion to forewoman, where she led major projects in Con Edison’s tunnels and street feeder lines. Today, she’s thriving as a supervisor and continuing to reach milestones she once thought were out of reach..
“I never thought in a million years I’d be here,” she reflects. “NEW was the stepping stone that gave me the courage to take chances. From bridge painting to becoming a supervisor, the journey has been incredible.”
Today, Gilliany enjoys the freedom that comes with her career. She’s moved from Brooklyn to New Jersey, bought a new car, and can travel whenever she wants, all milestones she once thought were out of reach. And she doesn’t stop there. With her CDL in hand and a Class A license on the horizon, she plans to start her own trucking company in the next few years.
Her advice to the women who come after her is simple but powerful: “Don’t give up. Even if you doubt yourself, keep going. NEW gave me opportunities I didn’t think were possible, and it can do the same for you. Working in male-dominated spaces isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.”
Gilliany’s story is proof that sometimes, the decision to try something new doesn’t just change your career, it changes your life.
