Brianna Rinehart’s favorite thing about her job as a nurse is serving as her patients’ support system. She works in a long-term care facility with people rehabilitating from strokes, falls and other accidents. Not every patient has family who can be there for them, but that’s where Brianna steps in. “As they’re trying to get […]
Candice Baylor
After a semester at a university that wasn’t the right fit, Candice Baylor wasn’t sure what to do next. Her sister Angelica helped her find the answer: Job Corps. Angelica was away from home in Marion, Va., attending the Blue Ridge Job Corps Center. She spoke highly of the program and her experiences and encouraged […]
Brianna Clark
Brianna Clark went from crafting sandwiches to a career in construction, all thanks to Job Corps. She was working at Subway in her hometown of Coeburn, Va., when a staff member from Flatwoods Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center came in for lunch. The staff member chatted with Brianna and learned she was interested in finding […]
Leslie Ortega
I knew I wanted to do something more with my life. I just didn’t know where to start.” Leslie Ortega graduated from high school and worked at 7-Eleven and Dave & Buster’s. She was good at her jobs and enjoyed them, for the most part, but knew there had to be more in store for […]
Crystal Madrigal
“Absolutely nothing.” Crystal Madrigal reflected on what she was doing before enrolling at Job Corps. She was sick of working dead-end jobs with no opportunity in sight for advancing her career. In spring of 2019, Crystal was searching for a new path when a family member recommended Job Corps. She enrolled in Security and Protective […]
Christian Rijo
Christian Rijo was always hardworking. Before graduating from high school, he trained in carpentry and maintenance. He realized he wanted to pursue a career in construction, so he enrolled at Iroquois Job Corps Center in New York in the Electrical program with Home Builders Institute. Along with his training in Electrical, Christian earned credentials […]
Tyreek James
“I was stuck, and it was terrible. To sum it up, nothing was happening. I spent three years feeling like I was wasting my life.” Tyreek spent most of his time taking care of his cousin at home. He was living in a “dead area” with no work opportunities around him. Realizing Tyreek needed help […]
Sharon McLaurin Oliver
Sharon McLaurin Oliver enrolled at Batesville Job Corps Center (now Finch-Henry Job Corps Center) in Mississippi in September of 1988. She wanted to leave her small hometown and find opportunities to grow and start her own life. Sharon’s sister enrolled in Job Corps first. After watching her sister succeed and enjoy the program, she decided […]
Matthew Mahmoodtorabi
Before enrolling at Job Corps, Matthew Mahmoodtorabi worked at his family’s small, independent Italian restaurant cooking mainly pizza and pasta. He had over 10 years of experience under his belt when he enrolled in Job Corps, but wanted to refine his skills and “reach for the top shelf.” Matthew dreamed of one day becoming an […]
Khalil Perry
Khalil Perry always had a drive to succeed and credits his family for his can-do attitude. His journey with Job Corps began in 2014 at Turner Job Corps Center in Georgia. He enrolled in the Electrical program but with his eyes set on eventually becoming an overhead lineman. After graduating, Khalil realized he wanted to […]









