Adrianna LeJeune grew up in a small town in Louisiana before moving to Fairfax, Va. Growing up, she was a bright student and always enjoyed learning. Due to difficult circumstances, Adrianna did not finish high school and experienced homelessness throughout her young life.
Fortunately, she learned about Job Corps just in time. Her mother-in-law knew Adrianna had the potential for more and encouraged her to explore opportunities at Job Corps. Adrianna arrived at Blue Ridge Job Corps Center in March 2019 with plans to earn her high school diploma.
Adrianna trained as a Medical Administrative Assistant in the program and started taking classes at Wytheville Community College while enrolled at Blue Ridge Job Corps Center. She served as a member of the center’s Student Government Association and volunteered at Atkins Food Pantry and Marion Elementary School.
“I had such a negative first impression of working with children; but the more I let myself get to know each child, the more I got to know their unique passions and how funny they can be,” Adrianna said. “It makes my whole day to work with children, bring smiles to their faces, find the thing that makes them happy, and nourish their passion as much as I can.”
Her internships while at Job Corps included the Mel Leaman Free Clinic and a counseling center for community mental health, which helped her realize her passion for helping people and healing through empathy and care. Working with mental health patients and children made Adrianna find her vocation—to earn her master’s degree in psychology and become a school counselor.
“My experiences at Job Corps, college and work experiences showed me how I can make the world a better place. I want to be the person I needed when I was younger.”
In May 2021, Adrianna graduated from Wytheville Community College with an associate degree in human services. She graduated from Job Corps in September 2021, earning credentials in the Medical Administrative Assistant training program, her high school diploma and a driver’s license. Now she is working at a daycare center in Marion, Va., while pursuing her master’s degree online through University of Virginia Department of Psychology.
Her advice for prospective Job Corps students? “It’s a tough program, but stick with it and get everything you can out of it. Remember to always keep the bigger picture in mind. It won’t be easy, but it will all be worth it in the end.”
Graduated from Job Corps in: September 2021 Employer: Student, University of Virginia Department of Psychology; A Child’s Place Preschool in Fairfax, Va. Hometown: Louisiana Phone: 276-781-4297 Email: Lejeune.adrianna@live.jobcorps.org Submitted by: Lydia Henry Notes:
Source: Serrato Corporation