“Construction isn’t just about buildings. It’s about building people’s lives,” says Saw Htoo, who began his first semester at the University of Nebraska Omaha this fall.
For the first-generation student, choosing construction management was about more than securing a good job. He wants to use his degree to provide stability for himself, give back to his family, and make an impact in Omaha.
Still, during his senior year of high school, Saw Htoo questioned whether college was the right path for him. He considered going directly into construction work following graduation, but when he received the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation scholarship, his mindset shifted.
“The Buffett gave me a reason to go for it,” he says. “It reminded me that going to college will help me build stability for myself and my family.”
Building Skills Before College
Saw Htoo’s interest in construction began with a simple online search for high-paying careers. By his junior year, he was taking construction courses through his high school’s career center at Metropolitan Community College. He learned to frame walls and windows, read blueprints, and completed the OSHA 30 safety certification, along with coursework in carpentry, finishing trim, and communication.
That foundation was strengthened through two summer internships. He gained hands-on experience in demolition, painting, renovations, and exterior finishing. “In school, you learn the concepts, but on the job, you see how those concepts actually work,” says Saw Htoo. “That’s where it all comes together.”
Looking Ahead With Purpose
Now in college, Saw Htoo is exploring where his degree will take him. He plans to join the carpenters union for its long-term benefits and stability, and he is considering residential project management, which he believes could have a more direct impact on families than commercial projects. To better understand that pathway, he hopes to shadow a project manager and see the work firsthand.
Saw Htoo credits College Possible with helping him navigate the path to higher education. For two years, he worked closely with his coach, Dorothy, who supported him through college applications, scholarships, and enrollment. “Dorothy is so efficient and knowledgeable,” he says. “This program is really making college possible.”
As much as he’s focused on coursework, Saw Htoo is equally focused on building connections. “You can do all the work at school, but without making connections it can be hard to progress after graduation.”
Faith and family continue to guide his goals. Saw Htoo hopes to create a stable household for himself, break generational cycles, and give back to the community that raised him. “I’m still figuring out exactly what I want to do, but I know I want to make a difference.”
