After a few semesters in college, Christine Benzon decided to stop pursuing higher education. It was a hard choice for her because the college track was what her family expected of her, but ultimately it was not making her happy. She knew she could be destined for great things. She just had to find how to get there. That journey led her to the Sierra Nevada Job Corps Center.
“I learned that college is not the only way to receive a higher education. I wanted to do something for myself and not have to pay thousands of dollars. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life—that is, until I enrolled in Job Corps,” she said.
Even though college was not right for her at the time, being able to live away from home and feel independent was important to her. She chose a Job Corps campus that she could live at, and the ability to pick her career pathway was exciting to her. Since she always had an interest in the medical field and her own mother was a certified nursing assistant (CNA), the opportunity to also become licensed in that field was one that she didn’t want to pass up, so she enrolled in the CNA program and even took classes at the local community college.
“My first 5 weeks on campus [at Job Corps] were the most influential. They had career preparation seminars that helped me focus on what I was currently doing, what I wanted to do in the future, and where I wanted to go in life. I also learned valuable networking skills as I collaborated with my peers, friends, and teachers, and these networks have helped me receive college recommendations and find good jobs,” she said.
In just 10 short months, Christine graduated from Job Corps and went straight into her career as a CNA. It was at that job that she was handed a domestic violence case and found a passion for helping families in distress. With the career training she received at Job Corps and this newfound passion, Christine was ready to go back to school, and she earned her bachelor’s degree in social work at the University of Nevada–Reno. Her new career as a social worker incorporates not only her love of helping people, but also the medical knowledge she learned at Job Corps. Job Corps ended up being the perfect transition piece she needed to head back into higher education.
“I will forever be grateful that I took a chance on Job Corps. I felt like part of a community when I found Job Corps, and I took advantage of all of the opportunities they gave me,” Christine said. “Because there are so many diverse trades, you can find something you are passionate about whether that be business administration or working in a naval shipyard or anything else,”
Christine hopes all young people know that, if they are somewhat interested in Job Corps, they should take that chance. She knows it has the ability to change lives and provide the tools to become a successful, independent person. “It teaches you how to truly be yourself. College is not the only answer to being successful. Take that chance, because you never know where it might lead. I’m living proof that Job Corps really does change lives. You just have to be brave enough to take the first step,” she said.
Email: cbenzon91@gmail.com Submitted by: Sellars Huy Notes:
Employment: Social worker, Reno
Source: Reno Gazette Journal