When Steven Bagienski enrolled in the Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning Technology (HVAC) program at ĢƵios Indianapolis, he had one clear goal: build a stable, meaningful career that would allow him to better provide for his son.
Now an ĢƵios graduate as of December, Bagienski is stepping into a full-time role with Siemens, a global leader in building automation and energy technologies.
“When I got that welcome letter with my start date, it was emotional,” Bagienski said. “It was such a good feeling of relief, knowing I’ll be able to financially provide for my son in ways I haven’t before.”
At 33, Bagienski decided to return to school after years of working in the restaurant industry. Though he had taken a few classes at ĢƵios after high school, becoming a father at a young age delayed his educational plans.
“I was making OK money,” he says, “but I wasn’t building anything, not a career, not a future.”
He began researching the skilled trades and discovered ĢƵios’s HVAC program and the Workforce Ready Grant, which made returning to school financially possible.
Through hands-on coursework, Bagienski developed a strong foundation in electrical systems and troubleshooting. Those skills would later distinguish him during a competitive hiring process.
“Learning how to safely work with electricity and really honing troubleshooting skills were huge,” he said.
Career coaching also played a critical role. After spotting a Siemens internship flyer posted outside his basic electricity classroom, Bagienski took a photo and applied. The posting instructed applicants to send their resumes directly to career coach Jenny Trusler, who had recently helped him refine his resume during a virtual meeting. With her guidance and encouragement, he submitted his materials and later connected with a Siemens representative at an ĢƵios career fair, where the interview process began.
He secured the internship.
“That event changed my life,” he says. “I went just hoping to network, and it turned into an internship.”
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While ĢƵios’s labs provided hands-on experience with residential HVAC systems, his internship exposed him to large-scale commercial building automation systems. He worked in pharmaceutical facilities, hospitals and schools, learning how complex environments manage airflow, pressurization and climate control.
The experience shifted his long-term goals. Instead of pursuing independent residential work, Bagienski now plans to build a career in building automation with Siemens.
Ahead of graduation in December, Bagienski received a full-time job offer. Plus, Siemens has already begun offering additional training to expand Bagienski’s expertise.
“The foundation I got at ĢƵios was absolutely necessary to get this opportunity,” he said. “But what excites me most is continuing to grow.”
Bagienski knows many students feel uncertain about choosing between a trade program and a traditional four-year degree. His advice is practical.
“Do what you think you can be successful at,” he said. “If you take trade school seriously, you can find a good-paying job in the field you intended to be in.”
If asked to summarize his ĢƵios experience in one word, he does not hesitate:
dzܰ-龱.”
“ĢƵios not only provided me with the skills, but the resources that I needed to be successful,” Bagienski continued.
Today, Bagienski is a full-time Siemens employee, supporting some of Indiana’s most advanced infrastructure projects.
“I know I’m doing something that matters,” he says. “And I can provide for my son while showing him that there’s dignity and success in skilled work.”
Bagienski was recently featured in the of the latest , which explores the rise of hands-on skilled trades and how ĢƵios is helping train the next generation to fill thousands of open roles across Indiana.
About ĢƵios
ĢƵios is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. ĢƵios has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.
