One stint at Job Corps just wasn’t enough for De’Jonne McCorkle. After completing his Carpentry training, De’Jonne decided to follow his family’s footsteps in Electrical.
“I wasn’t too big on school; but I heard from a friend that, within two years, I could get my high school diploma and a trade, then immediately get to work. That really resonated with me.”
De’Jonne not only completed two training areas while on campus but also served as vice president of SGA and worked in the Maintenance Department’s Leisure Time Employment program. Through his extracurriculars, De’Jonne helped make campus a fun, cleaner and safer place for students and staff.
“I was able to do a whole lot more at Job Corps than I ever expected. One of my favorite memories is participating in field day events. All staff and students would get to spend an entire day outside, having fun.”
In November 2021, De’Jonne graduated Iroquois Job Corps with Carpentry and Electrical
training, Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC), and credentials in green awareness, Ramset powder actuated tool, customer service, and OSHA General Industry 30-hour, forklift and power tool training.
While at Job Corps, military recruiters visited campus to share information and benefits of military service. De’Jonne loved training in Carpentry and Electrical but decided a career in the military was the right path for him. After graduation, De’Jonne decided to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test to determine if he was eligible for military training. He scored an 84 out of 90 on the test, which earned him a higher starting position in the U.S. Navy.
Job Corps helped him with every step of the process of enlisting, from signing him up with a recruiter to calling him every month since graduation to check in.
De’Jonne began active duty in February 2022. In six years, he will complete his military service and plans to either extend his service or pursue a career through the military that incorporates his carpentry and electrical training.
“Everything I learned at Job Corps, from training to serving as SGA president and meeting people from all walks of life, is helping my communication and service in the military.”
Graduated from Job Corps in: November 2021 Employer: U.S. Navy Hometown: Brooklyn, New York Phone: 347-575-9733 Email: dejmcc8302@gmail.com Submitted by: Lydia Henry