|
|
 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
 Home Page Success Stories |
Are you a former Gary Job Corps Community student with a success story to share? If so, we would like to hear from you. Please email the following information to the GaryWebDesk.
Date Published 7/30/07 Benjamin V. Rodriguez Message to the current students: Do not take your eye off
your goal. We might come across obstacles in our path but with faith,
we will achieve our destination. Date Published 7/30/07 William R. Ramos Message to the current students:
Date Published 7/30/07 Tobin O. McDullough Date Published 12/2/2006 Michelle L. Bardlett
Date Published 11/10/2006 Crystal Cervantes (Harris)
I received my GED, CNA and CMA at Job corps.
This is my true story, feel free to share this, I hope it might help
someone avoid what I went through. When I came to Gary Job Corps I was tired and run down. I had spent
the last few years making a living as an Escort, just enough to support
my meth habit. I got arrested for prostitution and all my so called
friends went away. I had a boyfriend at the time who did not share my
previous lifestyle. My brother went to Job Corps up north so I knew
a little. I knew that something big needed to change. I was tired of
working at fast food or a mechanic shop. I had no money, no car, no
job or job skills and no real friends. So off I went to Job Corp. I had never been so scared in all my life.
I consider myself a pretty tough scare. When I got there I met people
from all over the country. My roommates were very nice and showed me
around. Still I hated having roommates and living away from my mom and
boyfriend. I made a decision to do what I came to do and not to get
comfortable . There was a small kink in my plan. When I got there the
CNA program was full so I had to take computer classes until a opening
came up, which took about a month. I got my GED right away. Once I got
in the CNA program it went by fast. I then got my first CNA job with
a temp agency working weekends in my home town. Then the Medical Assistant
program came and went. Job Corp was the best decision I ever made !!!! Date Published 11/10/2006 Ashley Renee Innerarity
(Disotell) When I went to Gary, my whole point was to better my life, to become somebody who I can say I was proud of!! I heard a lot of bad things about Gary before I attended...When I got there, it wasn't that bad!! With the trade that I took, it normally take students over a year to finish, but it only took me 6 months to finish A,B,and C level of my trade!!! I arrived at Gary on September 9, 2003 and had the best time of my life...I also got pregnant over there in the month of January along with some other students...I did have the baby in October and it was a beautiful baby girl..She changed my life and also help me better myself. If I didn't go to Gary, I wouldn't have this bundle of JOY in my life. I got something that will always remind me of Gary!!! It was true when the speaker told us at the meeting, you never know your family just might start out here, well my family kinda did, her dad isn't in her life, yet, I don't know if he will be if they do find him!! If I had to do it all over
again, I would, just to have my daughter. I don't regret it at all.
I thank God that I went to Gary when I did, because if I didn't she
wouldn't be here today. I do miss Gary a lot and wish I was still back
over there, you meet some awesome people and you won't never forget
about!! Yeah maybe while you there, you might not like it but after
you leave it, you start to miss it later down in life...I am married
now, and have another daughter who is 1 and pregnant again!!! I am doing
very good and I just want to thank Gary for everything that it had done
for me and taught me!!! Mrs. Marshall, Mrs. McCarty, Mrs. Olivier was
the best teachers that I had!!! Date Published 11/10/2006 Natasha Mills Hi, this is Natasha and I am a grad from Gary Job Corps. I never thought I was going to make it but with the help of my teachers and my positive peers, I made it, thanks to every one. I went there at 24, not thinking they were going to take me but through grace, I made it. The program is wonderful, you have to stay with positive people and do positive things stay out of trouble and get through with your program you came there with no one and you will leave with no one. I was an SGA in my dorm. I started from the bottom and when I graduated I was the senator of my dorm. That kept me busy; I am now working on a good job sitting down all day working on a computer making good money. I have my own apartment so you can do it hang in there and stay positive. Message to the current students: To the student stay strong its not the end its just the beginning of your life so graduate from Job Corps and make it happen. You make your own future so if you want nice things, start at Gary and work your way to the top. Good luck and stay strong and positive. Date Published 10/6/2006 Ashley Edwards Date Published 10/6/2006 Koda McKeever I had the chance to be apart
of the college program attending Austin Community College, and I was
also Colonel of the Gary Blue Lite Drill team . Don't think I forgot
about the dorms; they were the best thing that could have happened to
me. When I first got to Gary and graduated from career prep, I moved
to 7217 when it was an all female dorm. I loved living there. I lived
in that dorm for a whole year until they moved us to honor dorms. While
living in that dorm I had the opportunity of be a bay leader, laundy
room DA and then moving to SGA of the dorm. Once they moved us I moved
to Bluebonnet where I was the laundry DA. With all that Gary has taught
me I am a successful young lady I am enrolled in College at Stephen
F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX. I thank you Gary from
the bottom of my heart for all that you have done for me and taught
me. Date Published 6/19/2006 Eddie Marie Polk Date Published 4/3/2006 Ramona Negrete Message to current students: Gary is what YOU make of it. Don't fall through the cracks, stay away from the bad apples that want for you to rotten. Get involved and you will know how Gary really works. Get to know the staff on Center. If you don't like what is going on at Gary, join Student Government and MAKE A CHANGE THAT IS WORTH THE DIFFERENCE!!!Date Published 12/21/2005 Steven Drake I have come a very long way
since Job Corps. When I joined Job Corps I was a lost kid with no hope
of making something of myself. It took my grandmother's death to motivate
me to do something with my life. I came to Job Corps with hopes of having
a better life, the life my grandmother always wanted me to have. After
leaving Job Corps I did a lot of moving around bouncing from city to
city trying to find out where I really belong. I ended up back in my
home town of Waco and started a career working for Dell Computers in
sales. This did implement my computer skills I learned at Gary but it
did not bring me to my full potential. I have now been working as a
Payment Resolution Accounting Technician for the Waco VA Financial Services
Center for a little over two years. The only experience I had at accounting
was what I learned at Gary. I am now one of the leading technicians
and train the new hires how to do what I do on a daily basis. I went
from being a homeless kid running the streets to being a successful
career man. I just purchased my first home last year in a small town
south of Waco. I make really good money and it can only get better from
here. I have Gary and Mrs. Crayton to thank for it. Message to current students: I always encourage people to give Gary a try. It’s an adjustment that is hard to make but they will teach you what you need to succeed in life. If they can change my life around, they can change anyone’s life around as long as you give them 110%. 5 years later I still think about everyone I met while I was there and still think about all the times I miss while I was there.Date Published 10/15/2005 Jeremy Raschad Leonard Hello, fellow Job Cops Comrades; it's me, Jeremy Leonard. I'm doing great back at home in Houston, I'm a Meat Cutter at Golden Corral and the pay is excellent. I just want to thank all the people that helped me get where I am today; Chef Grace, Mr. Guerrero, and everybody that's In Culinary Arts; and I'd like to thank the RA's in Guadeloupe, Ms. Mohmoh and all my friends in RH6, thank you and my Career Counselors, thank you and God Bless. Message to current students: Don't give up, it may seem hard right now, but it will pay off in the end.Date Published 7/1/2005 Aurora Garza Since leaving the program, I obtained a job in the field that I was in and I now work in the San Antonio Outreach and Admissions Office. Message to current students: Follow through with the program no matter how hard it may seem sometimes and to remember that patience always pays off in the end.Date Published 5/16/2005 Jacqui’ Zavala Before going to Job Corps I knew nothing about computers or typing. Now I work for a non-profit organization and have been here for 3 years. I started out working in the shop and then when they realized that I had computer and typing skills they offered me a better position. After being in that position for about a year, they moved me up to a higher paying position. I’m doing pretty good for myself. I have my own car, apartment and pay my bills all by myself. I’m not rich or anything but I think I’m doing pretty good. I don’t have to ask anyone for help. I came a long way and if it wasn’t for Job Corps, I don’t know where I’d be. I didn’t realize how much I learned there until I went out in the real world. I learned skills there that I know I wouldn’t have learned just by going to any other school. I learned to deal with all kinds of people. You don’t have to like everyone, but you do have to be decent with them. I learned how to budget money because we all know the little bit of money you get there you can’t live off for 2 weeks. I learned patience is a virtue. At first I didn’t think that was the place for me but I hung in there because I really didn’t have anything else to do. Now I wouldn’t have traded that experience for nothing in the world. I wasn’t the best student because I had my share of trouble and fun there but when it came time to learn, I learned. I feel that I got everything out of Job Corps that I could possibly get. Message to current
students: Date Published 8/22/2004 Diamantina Guerra Going to Job Corps was a great experience for me. When I left home I knew I wanted to do something with my life, I just didn't know what it was. When I first got to Gary it was hard and I felt like going back home and if it wasn't for my residential advisors and my dorm counselor, Ms.Waters I don't know what would have happened. While I was at Gary I became a student ambassador, which would be helping the new students and share my experience with them. I also received my GED within a month and a half of being enrolled. It took me a little longer to receive my CNA, but it was worth it. Before I graduated I also took driver's ed, and got my driver's license within three weeks. Message to current students: All I can say to the current students is to keep your head up and that at the end of the road it is all worth it. Don't let anything or anyone stop what you set your goals to. It's a once in a life time chance and take advantage of it, now that it is in your reach. Don't let the opportunity pass by, and remember that you are there to start and finish your career not to please anyone else than yourself.Date Published 8/22/2004 Jimmie Frederick While at Gary I studied to
become a machinist. It was a two year course and I finished in ten months.
That turned out to be a mistake because I did not have enough hours
in shop.
Message to current
students: Date Published 7/23/2004 Howard Toms While at Gary, I was assistant dorm mayor of Bluebonnet, was a student ambassador to new students, and also worked in the kitchen. I now have a great job that pays $12.75 an hour plus incentives. I have a new suv( fully loaded I might add) a wonderful girlfriend with a baby on the way, and a brand new Dell computer! If anyone is reading this from Mr. Gonzales' or Mr. Worthem’s class, listen up cause they know what they are talking about! Good luck to all. Message to current
students: Date Published 3/1/2004 Gerald Williams After I graduated from high school, I was confused about what I wanted to do, then I heard about Job Corps; some good things and some bad things. When I arrived at Gary, I thought I was entering a prison. As the weeks passed by, I fit in very well; I liked it. Job Corps gave me self esteem and it taught me how to get along with others. It gave me hope. Instead of choosing trouble, I chose to go down the right pathway. I left Gary in 1988 and worked for one month with a master electrician. In 1990, I joined the merchant marine academy and graduated in the top 3rd of my class. If it were not for Job Corps training, it would not have been easy for me. I've been around the world three times and I was in desert storm. I am now a truck driver. I am married and have two children. It all started at Gary Job Corps and I want to thank the wonderful staff that lead us in the right direction. Message to current
students: Good Luck and God Bless You All, Date Published 2/17/2004 Oscar Jones
Date Published 2/17/2004 Eleazar B. Amaya Date Published 2/17/2004 Joshua Turner Hey all, my name's Josh.
Before attending the Job Corps, I never really knew Date Published 6/3/2003 Julia Arguello I attended Gary for about
9 months, before that I was just another person without an education
and I thought that it was too late to go back to school until I heard
about Gary. I hesitated to attend but I knew I needed a change. Gary
helped me in many ways. My trade was BOT, and I did my work based learning
with Sylvia Brown who was not only my mentor but one of my best friends.
I graduated from Gary with my GED as well as my trade. When I started
to work for Gary in the Records Department as a temp, it was a great
opportunity to show what I had learned as a student. But now I am an
Outreach and Admissions Counselor in Austin. I am grateful for all the
people at Gary who believed that I could become someone. Date Published 4/2/2003 Adela R. Plasek I am glad that I have finally
sat down to say thank you. I graduated from Gary Job Corps Center in
1989. I was a high school drop out with drug problems. My family and
I were migrant workers, and we were dirt poor. I had no driver's license,
no degree or skills that I could apply to any kind of a job market.
I was at home one weekend and it was as if the television set was talking
to me. I did not have a driver's license, no money, no skills. As far
as employment went, I had two (2) part-time jobs that consisted of being
a janitor and a mover. In the summer, I would go up North to work in
the sugar beets. Date Published 2/23/2003 Everette L. Williams,
Jr. I now work for Continental
Airlines as an International Flight Attendant. Message to current
students: Date Published 2/5/2003 Maggie Plaisance I was at Gary from Sept.'95-July '96. I graduated with an Accounting/Payroll Certificate. I left Gary on a Friday and started my new job on Monday at a Nursing Home. I stayed there for almost a year and moved on to an elevator company where I have been now for 5 years. I use everything and more that I learned at Gary on a daily basis. Along the way I had a beautiful son who is my life now. When I went to Gary I had nothing, no family, money or friends. I learned so much about myself and life while I was there. I made a friend that I know I will have forever and I think I might have even made a few enemies. I am from a small town in Louisiana and I saw so many cultures that I had no idea about and now respect so much. Surviving through the rough times at Gary showed me a lot about life and growing up. When I look at the REAL WORLD now from out here... Gary wasn't so bad at all. I actually miss it sometimes. Message to current
students: Date Published 1/17/2003 Brandi Sue Brewster Gary Job Corps Poet Date Published 11/26/2002 James R. LaPorte,
II In February 2001, I got a job as a maintenance technician for the YMCA starting at $7.50 an hour. In July 2001, I took a better paying job as an electrical apprentice. I had benefits, shirts, and started at $8.50 an hour. They paid for my first year at apprentice school and I received raises. I ended up making $10.50 an hour. Unfortunately, I was laid off after 12 months due to a work slow down. I worked temporarily for another electrical firm making $11 an hour. I decided to quit and go to college since the shop was so far from my house. The job market is tough. I've been unable to find a part time job to work around my college hours. Many places believe I'm over qualified and cannot afford to pay the $11. They believe I would leave and are not willing to invest the time in training me. I haven't given up and I know I can always go back to being an electrical apprentice. I screwed up not staying in school. My point is that the skills I learned at Job Corps gave me an opportunity to get a good paying job. I realize how important my education is and I want to graduate from college and do something more with my life.
|
||
|
|
Accessibility StatementThe Office of Job Corps is committed to ensuring its Web sites are accessible to the widest possible audience. We are continually improving accessibility by following all recommended guidelines outlined in Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998. Should you require assistance with any portion of this site, contact the Gary Job Corps Helpdesk . All photos provided by courtesy of Job Corps center operators under contract to the US Department of Labor. |
| Home | Gary Community |
Education | Student Services News and Events |
| Copyright © 2001 - 2007 Gary Job Corps Community | Page Last Updated 11/3/2007 | http://gary.jobcorps.gov |
