“Job Corps helped me find my purpose after immigrating to America,” said Hartford Job Corps graduate Kemauli Brown. “The feeling of community at Job Corps helped me learn about American culture so much quicker, which made life a lot easier for me.”
Kemauli immigrated to America from his native country, Jamaica, in 2014, excited about newfound opportunities in the United States but equally intimidated. Because of his passion for science, a friend suggested he check out the health care career training offered at Job Corps. While nervous because his English wasn’t great, he knew he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to continue his education for free.
“I graduated from high school in Jamaica, but my degree didn’t transfer. Getting my diploma in America was the first step, and Job Corps supported me the whole way,” Kemauli said.
Once at Hartford Job Corps in Connecticut, he jumped into life on campus. He worked with his teachers and peers on his English and eventually became a campus ambassador. “My English was suffering when I first arrived; but I signed up to give the speeches to new students on Wednesdays, and that was a huge factor in my improvement,” Kemauli said. He also worked in the center’s kitchen and even became confident enough in his studies to begin tutoring other students. He was invited to represent Job Corps students at the 50th annual National Gala in Washington, D.C., where he had the chance to share his story and experience at Job Corps with U.S. senators and representatives.
While in the program, he made lifelong friends—many of them immigrants just like him. “I had a great experience at Job Corps. I made strong friendships and found passions I never knew I had. Job Corps put me on a right path, and I would recommend it for anyone like me who felt lost,” Kemauli said.
Kemauli always had a love for science, and working in health care was a goal of his, so graduating with his clinical medical assistant credentials brough him a lot of pride. He did such outstanding work in the internship he was required to complete for graduation that the health services facility he was interning with ended up hiring him. Not only did he find a career he felt confident in, but that confidence gave him the courage to explore another passion of his.
After years in the health care industry, Kemauli decided to pursue another dream of his, one that he discovered at Job Corps: photography. “While I was struggling to find my purpose when I first arrived at Job Corps, I decided to channel my energy into art, so I bought a camera. I started taking pictures as a hobby; but when someone told me I had a good eye for photography, I started doing freelance photography and am now pursuing it full time,” he said.
Job Corps instilled the confidence Kemauli needed to pursue his academic and artistic dreams in America. “When going after something new, you will always wonder if you are making the right decision. My biggest piece of advice is to trust your gut and let it lead you where you are meant to be. That is when things will turn out for the best.”
Graduated from Job Corps in: 2015 Hometown: Hartford, CT Phone: 860-709-4184 Submitted by: Sellars Huy Notes:
Employment: Self-employed photographer
Source: New Haven Register