Joe Collins was eager for opportunity. Joe graduated high school but had no desire to attend college right away. After hearing about Job Corps through a family friend that was planning to attend, Joe researched the program and was enticed by learning a trade and receiving free training all while getting paid.
“Why not go?”
In September 2004, Joe enrolled at Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center in Grand Rapids, Mich., not too far from his home. As a lifelong lover of cooking, he knew that Culinary Arts training was the way to go. Joe quickly got involved with extracurricular activities, including being a student mentor and Student Government Association (SGA). In SGA, he began as the treasurer and worked his way up to vice president and eventually president.
Joe enjoyed his busy schedule filled with balancing his activities and training, and attributed his good work ethic to his overall Job Corps experience. Joe’s mentors helped him along the way to achieve success.
“A lot of teachers did [help me]. Mrs. Keller, she was in charge of SGA. She taught me a lot about how to work hard if you want to succeed. Tina McDade was the Center Director while I was there. She was a big role model for me as well.”
While at Job Corps, Joe had a work-based learning experience that he would soon discover would change his life. Joe worked at the Metro Health Hospital, the first work-based learning experience at this hospital for Job Corps. He was a dietary aide and worked with several patients. He was offered to work for the hospital after graduating from Job Corps. Joe graduated from Job Corps in February of 2006 and worked at Metro Health Hospital for the next 10 years.
After a successful stint at Metro Health Hospital, Joe decided to transition to Davenport University. Today, Joe is the retail manager for Dining Services. In his current role, he runs all retail locations and operations, runs the coffee shop, and oversees all concessions.
Joe still cooks frequently, and he credits his advanced technical skills to his training at Job Corps. He attributes the communication and leadership skills that he uses every day to his time serving in SGA. Joe’s most precious role is being a mentor for his students at Davenport University.
“A lot of my students here at Davenport look up to me. They see how hard I work, and they want to be just like me. Now they’re succeeding in their career as well. It is so amazing—I taught these people how to be a good person and how to work hard—and to see them succeed is an amazing feeling.”
Joe has come full circle from a student at Job Corps to mentoring other Job Corps students, to now working in his career and mentoring more students in an industry he loves.
Joe decided to attend National Louis University to receive his bachelor’s degree in hospitality management to further his training. He graduated in 2020 and plans to go back to school to receive his business management degree to one day become a director of a whole area in Creative Dining.
“Always work hard. If you really want something, work hard for it. Nothing comes easy. At Job Corps, you are going to learn a lot. I recommend Job Corps to anybody.”
Graduated from Job Corps in: February 2006 Employer: Retail Manager of Dining Services at Davenport University Hometown: Grand Rapids, Michigan Notes:
Contact Information: jcollins@creativedining.com; 313-909-9639
Source: Center Submission
Story Type: Vetted Story