Krista Sprigg says her journey up the career ladder has been based on taking advantage of every opportunity she's given. As a Chestnut Ridge student who was in the academic curriculum, she had every intention of attending a four-year college program when she finished high school in 1994. Like many 18 year-olds, however, she hadn't chosen a major and had no career focus. "So, instead of going to school right away, I decided to go to work to learn what I wanted to do with my life." She worked first at Hedstrom in the customer service department and then became a temporary accounts clerk - a job that helped her define her career goal. She started taking accounting, computer and other college classes at the Bedford County Center of Allegany College of Maryland after work, and four years ago was hired as a data entry clerk for JLG Industries' Bedford operations. Her rise to her current position as senior cost analyst has been rapid - one that she attributes to having good teachers at JLG and trying to learn everything she can - about all aspects of the manufacturing process. "This company encourages all of us to grow and explore our potential - to not stop where our job responsibilities stop or become pigeonholed in one position." So, in addition to continuing her evening studies at ACM working toward an eventual bachelor's degree, she tries to learn from colleagues in the engineering and manufacturing departments - to understand what happens everywhere in the shop. In her position, she is responsible for compiling performance reports and manufacturing measurements, building budgets for the plant - essentially building the financials at the plant level. She has few regrets from her decision to put off college, even though it will take a number of years to finish her degree. "I've had incredible opportunities to grow and mature while working and learning on the job, and at the same time have been able to continue my education locally," she says. "I'm much more confident and feel much more capable than I did immediately after high school. For me, waiting to go to school was the right choice - one that allowed me to discover my own capabilities and strengths."

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