GEN NXT: Mason Paolini Words: Justin StengelPhotos: Mason PaoliniThis month, the MCAA got to talk with Mason Paolini, a mason who has a clear passion and talent for the trade he has such high praise for. Read about Mason’s story and why he sees a future in this industry.Mason Paolini’s career began with a simple desire to work with his hands. After exploring various avenues, he found his calling the moment he entered a masonry class and met his instructor.MCAA: How did your journey in masonry begin?Mason Paolini: You know, we were going through all these different shops, and I always knew I wanted to work with my hands, but I never really knew specifically what that would be. But once I went into our masonry shop and met our teacher, I just immediately fell in love with it.The specific craftsmanship of laying brick is what drew him in. He was captivated by the unique techniques and diverse styles of the trade that he felt couldn't be found in any other profession.MCAA: What about masonry attracted you to it?Mason Paolini: I loved working with my hands, as I said, and the craftsmanship of laying brick was appealing to me. Also, the different techniques and styles of laying brick, you don’t get that from anything else, really.His primary challenge has been developing his own signature style. By observing how different journeymen lay a brick, he has worked to find the common threads in their methods and apply what works best for him.MCAA: What type of challenges have you had to overcome in your career so far?Mason Paolini: So far, just finding my own way of doing things. Like, everybody butters a brick or a block slightly differently. And just trying to take what I see other journeymen doing, and my teachers, and trying to apply that with the common threads that each of them has, and trying to do that myself, and see what works for me.Paolini believes the difference between a good and great mason is a matter of pride. A great mason doesn't just see a day of labor; they can look at a finished building and say, "I did that".MCAA: From all the experience that you have right now, what do you think separates a good mason from a great mason?Mason Paolini: Definitely taking pride in your work. All good masons have skill, but I think a great mason can show up to work every day and be proud of what they did. And look at a building that they built, and be like, “I did that.” And not just say, “Oh, it was just another day of work.”Looking ahead, Paolini aims to become a foreman or even start his own company. While he eventually sees himself as a superintendent, his current passion is perfecting his skills as a journeyman.MCAA: What are your plans for the future? Mason Paolini: I'm still kind of figuring it out as I go. I do have ambitions of one day being a foreman, and I’ve even thought of starting my own company. Besides that, just trying to be a foreman, maybe even being a superintendent one day when my body wears down, but I really want to be a journeyman and do the trade that I love.To those on the fence about the industry, he warns that the skill doesn't come easily. However, he insists that for those willing to put in the time and effort, the happiness found in the trade makes it entirely worth it.MCAA: What would you say to someone who is on the fence about joining the masonry industry?Mason Paolini: I would tell them that this trade doesn't come easy; it takes a lot of practice, skill, and technique, but if you’re willing to put in the hours, effort, and time, then it can really be worth their while. I didn't immediately get it, but I still loved it. And now I do it for my job, and I'm happy.About: GEN NXT
