Sean Wynn is a concrete laborer. But on the job site, he says he’ll do whatever he is asked to do. “Today, I’m flagging,” he laughed. The South Side native was first introduced to the trades by his cousin. Although he didn’t know much about the career path at the time, Wynn says seeing his cousin earn $1700 for six days of work immediately piqued his interest. “I told him, if you’re bringing that kind of money home, I want in!” he said.
At the time, becoming a laborer was Wynn’s quickest path into the trades without an apprenticeship. So, to get his foot in the door, he paid to attend training classes through an organization that helped people find work in construction. Wynn went on to spend 16 years at McHugh Construction, where he says he gained valuable experience that has opened doors for him. “Now, no matter where I go, they know I’m going to work,” he said. Wynn is currently working for Walsh on a project to modernize the CTA’s Red Line.
Like many people of color, Wynn says being Black is one of the biggest challenges he faces in an industry where who you know is just as important as what you know. “They have to see you work before they warm up to you,” he said.
As a result, Wynn says he does his best to help other Black tradespeople when he can. “You have to put out good energy. You may not always get the love back in return, but you have to make sure you’re doing your part as a good citizen,” he said.
When he’s not working, Wynn enjoys hanging out with a cigar in his backyard. But now that he’s fully vaccinated, he says he’s looking forward to the opportunity to travel. “I want to go to Rome for my birthday. When you get older, you want to see some corners you’ve never seen before,” he said.
Wynn says one of the benefits of working in the trades has been learning valuable skills that have helped him fix things around his own home. “No woman wants a man who can’t even change a light bulb,” he said.
Looking ahead, Wynn says he’s focused on retirement. “I’m almost 48, so I’ve got seven years,” he said. “Depending on how my body feels at 55 will determine what happens.”