“This is probably real emotional, but before I went to Job Corps I had dropped out of school because my brother had been murdered.”
After Jordan Hood’s brother passed away, he knew he needed to do something more. Jordan found out about Job Corps from scrolling online and decided to attend Muhlenberg Job Corps to train in welding.
A few of Jordan’s family members previously attended Job Corps, but he didn’t want to hear much about their experiences before going because he wanted to experience it for himself. Jordan wanted to learn how to deal with things, become a better person, jump in and figure it out on his own. And he did just that.
Jordan attended Muhlenberg Job Corps in Louisville, Ky. On campus, Jordan was involved with several extracurriculars, including student government and Youth 2 Youth: Partners 4 Peace (Y2Y), and was dorm president of two dorms. As his time on campus progressed, he learned how to balance everything and become a problem-solver. He even received his high school diploma and driver’s license.
“Take advantage of it. It’s free, so why not?”
Jordan’s overall experience at Job Corps exceeded his expectations. It was far more challenging than school, but in a helpful and useful way. It was everything he was hoping to experience. Jordan also appreciated the support from his mentors, who provided emotional support and were there for him whenever he needed it, especially since it could get stressful balancing everything at once.
After completing Job Corps, Jordan’s Career Transition Specialist (CTS) and other staff members helped him find a great job. He keeps in touch with a few staff members and students. One of Jordan’s brothers has even graduated from Muhlenberg Job Corps since Jordan attended, and another brother is still in the program.
Jordan is now a welder for voestalpine Roll Forming Corporation in Shelbyville, Ky., making $18.75 an hour. He’s been with the company for half a year and has gained a lot of experience in that time. Jordan is using not only the technical skills he acquired at Job Corps, but the interpersonal skills including time management. In the next five years, he wants to move up in the welding world. He is considering going to school to become a welding inspector.
“When in doubt, choose change. That’s what I did, and the change I chose has truly been remarkable.”
Graduated from Job Corps in: 2020 Employer: Welder; Voestalpine Roll Forming Corporation; Shelbyville, Kentucky; $18.75/hour Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky Phone: 502-291-4383 Email: hood3jordan@gmail.com Submitted by: Becca Sweredoski Notes:
Source: Center email (Courtney Clark, BCL, Clark.Courtney.1@jobcorps.org)