Wrong turn to right life: Highlands College student builds life, career of dreams 

A single experience early in Joseph Fochs’ journey at Highlands College of Montana Tech hard-launched him toward seeking adventure, taking risks, and making choices to cultivate a life that he loves. 

“I went to the post office, took a wrong turn, and just kept driving,” Fochs said. “I ended up all the way at the Pacific Ocean.” 

That unplanned road trip became a defining moment for Fochs, who came to Montana from Mosinee, Wisconsin with his best friend from high school in search of something different. He wanted challenge, freedom, and a landscape big enough to match his ambitions. What he found in Butte was more than just mountains—it was a community that encouraged him to explore, to build, and to grow. 

“I came here for the experience,” he said. “I wanted to see mountains, forests, and the ocean—I’d never seen any of that before.” 

Three years later, Fochs has built out his purple work truck into an adventure-mobile and traveled all over the Northwest. He’s seen the coast of Oregon, hiked Mount Rainer, and spent snowy nights camped in solitude in the quiet, protected wilderness of Washington. He’s nurtured relationships with people in that area who are now like family, and keep him coming back for kinship just as much as the mountains do. He’s also explored the Butte area extensively.  

“Every time I go anywhere, I climb the biggest mountain I see,” Fochs said. “I taught myself how to push—take everything you’ve got and go as far as you can, and you come back proud. I’ve learned that the hard stuff — whether it’s school, work, or a hike that kicks your butt — that’s the stuff that sticks with you. That’s what builds you.” 

Fochs will graduate from the Construction Technology-Carpentry program at Highlands College on Saturday, December 13, 2025. He began at Montana Tech studying engineering but soon discovered that his heart belonged to hands-on work.  

“I’m a very hands-on person,” he said. “I love building things. As a kid, I built bike ramps, helped my dad with projects, and built birdhouses. Being able to take that into a career has been amazing.” 

That curiosity and drive led him to take on increasingly ambitious projects—both in and outside of class. From renovating homes to launching his own small business, Red Fox Renovation, he learned that skill and confidence are earned through persistence. 

“At some point, I told myself I had to step out and take risks,” he said. “I started my own business in early summer. I lived without utilities for three months, eating on the floor and showering at Montana Tech while fixing up the house I was living in.” 

The long hours and lean months paid off. Fochs not only gained experience in construction but also learned how to push himself—mentally and physically. 

“Every second of every day is utilized,” he said. “I go to class, I work with my boss, I go back to a client’s house at night. I probably do over 120 hours a week just doing everything.” 

Despite the demanding schedule, Fochs said the rewards are worth it. “It’s such a cool experience to see what you’ve built over a year and look back on it—it’s like a physical representation of your learning.” 

Through his time at Montana Tech, Joe Fochs has also grown outside the classroom by engaging with his local community. He attends St. Patrick’s Church regularly, finding that the experience strengthens his character and connects him with people who share his values. Volunteering at the food bank and participating in service opportunities are also important to Fochs, as it deepens his sense of responsibility, empathy, and community. 

“I want to be a decent person—to sacrifice time to do what’s right, and to look out for other people,” Fochs said. 

Fochs’s biggest supporter on the journey has been his father, who worked 40 years in a paper mill to support his family and beat colon cancer along the way.  

“He always wanted better for me,” Fochs said. “He was really happy with the fact that I changed my major to construction because he knew I loved building.”  

While Fochs plans to run his business in Butte for a few years, he sees himself helping his father, who will retire next year, with building a lake house back in Wisconsin at some point.  

“That’s going to be awesome,” he said.  

For Fochs, that first wrong turn from the post office years ago was no mistake. It was the beginning of a path toward independence, resilience, and a life built by hand—one he wouldn’t trade for anything.