James Young began his journey at Job Corps over 10 years ago. He first arrived at the Edison Job Corps Center in New Jersey to study in the Security and Protective Services training area. Once James graduated from the basic training, he decided to further his education and headed to the Shriver Job Corps Center in Massachusetts, where he earned his certification in advanced security and protective services. That wouldn’t be the end of his time at Job Corps, though; he would later find himself working for the organization he had grown to be so thankful for. 
James graduated from high school and went on to community college; but it didn’t work out as he had hoped, so his mom suggested he look into the programs at the Job Corps center near him. Although he was sad to leave his girlfriend, family, and friends behind, James decided to commit to the program to better his future.
James found both academic and social opportunities once he arrived on campus and thrived. He successfully graduated from the training area he loved (Homeland Security) and felt empowered to move onto Advanced Security and Protective Services training. He joined the basketball team, got a job on campus, and made lifelong friends. He even met his wife, who was a fellow Job Corps student. Today they are happily married with three children. In fact, one of his friends from the Security and Protective Services training area is his son’s godfather.
After graduating from the advanced training program in 2009, James joined the Shriver Job Corps Center, but as a staff member this time. He became a safety and security advisor on campus. After 7 great years there, he moved to the New Hampshire center in 2016, where he started as a Center Standards and Incentives officer and later a security officer. Most recently, James was promoted to center shift manager, where he is developing positive relationships with students and staff and always greets them with a smile.
James is grateful to get to interact with students every day in his role and share with them his Job Corps experience. He tells the students all the time that he knows what it feels like to be nervous and feel bogged down when arriving on campus, but “all you have to do is give it 2 weeks and you can see all that can change for the better.” Though he went home once a month, he always looked forward to going back to the center because it gave him a sense of independence and responsibility. He credits Job Corps for helping him stay out of trouble and making him feel that he was doing something positive with his life.
James’ biggest piece of advice to current and prospective students is to “accept that it is going to be a tough transition and there will be hardships along the way, but always remember your commitment will all be worth it in the end.”
Graduated from Job Corps in: 2009 Employer: Center Shift Manager, New Hampshire Job Corps Center, New Hampshire Hometown: New Jersey Phone: 978-382-6482 Notes:
Source: Center Submission