Anella Popo had all of the qualities that it takes to become a successful businesswoman. All she needed was opportunity, and thankfully Job Corps was able to provide that. Anella is now a superintendent of On Board Service in New York City for Amtrak. She attributes her success to Job Corps and the mentors who guided her along the way.
At 16 years old, Anella was pregnant and was unable to attend school. Her aunt encouraged her to explore what opportunities Job Corps might provide, and she went for it. Looking back, she has recognized how largely her life and career path have been impacted by Job Corps. She studied Office Administration at the Edison Job Corps Center in New Jersey, and obtained her high school diploma, which gave her the confidence and real-world experiences that have allowed her to rise through the ranks at Amtrak.
“Job Corps gave me an idea of what the real world was like before I entered it,” Anella said. “It allowed me to work with people of different backgrounds and broaden my horizons.”
After graduating from Job Corps, Anella went on to attend the 9-month Advanced Training program for the Transportation Service Worker in Atlanta. She says that she “was never afraid of working,” and was encouraged by Job Corps to continue her education after graduation.
Since then, Anella has gained the respect of her Amtrak co-workers. She has been recognized for her hard work and attributes much of her success to the opportunities she took advantage of that Job Corps put in front of her.
Needless to say, Anella has become a big cheerleader for the program, and she strongly encourages young adults who think Job Corps could benefit them to go ahead and apply. That way, she says, they can learn more about all the potential opportunities and get a better understanding about what’s involved. “Job Corps will provide you with contacts all over the country who will help you achieve whatever your heart desires.”