Seeing the Value: How One CU Denver Student Found His Path Through College to a Career in Construction
For James Holland, college wasn’t always part of the plan. Growing up in Aurora in a close-knit, hardworking family where college was not the norm, higher education just didn’t feel like an obvious next step.
He was raised in a household of seven, where aunts and cousins were a constant presence. His aunt and his mother both worked in health care, while his father helped take care of the family, sometimes taking on construction jobs.
During high school, Holland considered going straight into the workforce after working for a construction company during the summer. While his family encouraged college, he wasn’t sure it was the right fit, especially with concerns about leaving home, choosing a major, and how he would afford it.
“In high school, I had no real aspirations to attend college,” Holland said.
But today, Holland is a construction management student at the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver), with plans to graduate in December and a full-time job already lined up to start in May.
Discovering the Value of College
His perspective began to shift after graduating from Rangeview High School, when he enrolled in Arapahoe Community College, where he discovered the value of higher education was not just in the classroom, but in the connections it created.
Encouraged by the experience, he transferred to CU Denver to continue building those relationships and opportunities.
At CU Denver, Holland found himself surrounded by students balancing work, school, and family responsibilities, an environment that reflected his own experience.
From Classroom to Career
That preparation paid off during his internship with a local construction company, where he worked on a $20 million renovation project at a local Denver museum.
The experience gave him hands-on exposure to the industry and helped turn classroom learning into a real career path.
“During my internship, what helped me earn a full-time job offer wasn’t just one skill, but my willingness to learn and take on challenges,” said Holland. “That experience showed me the value of problem-solving, initiative, and using available resources.”
Following the internship, Holland received a full-time job offer as a project engineer, which he will begin before completing his degree.
Expanding Access Through CU Denver Direct Admissions
For students like Holland, who may not immediately see college as part of their future, early awareness and access can make a lasting difference.
That’s the goal of the recently launched CU Denver’s Direct Admissions, a program designed to help take the guesswork out of applying to college. As of last fall, eligible high school seniors are automatically admitted based on their grades through school district agreements and receive early support to understand financial aid opportunities and plan their next steps. And while this program was not available when Holland was considering his options, he is glad to see CU Denver creating a clearer path to college for more students.
“I love it. I have so many classmates from high school that did not attend college because, like me, they didn’t see the value,” said Holland. “I think this program will allow more students to see that it is about more than going to school.”
A Future Full of Opportunity
For Holland, the impact goes beyond his own career, helping turn an uncertain future into one filled with opportunity. When Holland received his full-time job offer, it was a proud moment for both him and his family, reinforcing that his decision to pursue college had paid off.
“Although college may feel boring, expensive, or overwhelming, it’s not a waste,” Holland said. “You come out with a new perspective on life that you can’t get anywhere else.”
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About the University of Colorado Denver
Millions of moments start at CU Denver, a place where innovation, research, and learning meet in the heart of a global city. We’re the state’s premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top-ranked bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. We partner with more than 13,000 diverse learners—at any stage of their life and career—for transformative educational experiences. Across seven schools and colleges, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges and produce impactful creative work. As part of the state’s largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $665 million. To learn more about how CU Denver helps learners meet their moment, visit ucdenver.edu.