Michaela Hall graduated from high school and completed a semester of college. She wasn’t interested in spending so much time in college, and she quickly realized getting two jobs was not a sustainable option. It was fate when she saw a Job Corps commercial, something she didn’t really pay attention to until she needed it. Michaela knew this would be a great program for her, and she jumped at the opportunity.
Michaela attended Potomac Job Corps in Washington, D.C. It was her first time being that far away from her parents in Virginia. After discussing it with her mother, however, she knew Potomac would be a great place to be, located in the nation’s capital.
Michaela participated in the Academic Olympics through Job Corps, a Jeopardy-style competition among centers. This experience helped build her confidence. She was also on the cheerleading squad, which gave her leadership opportunity and helped her build friendships. Michaela appreciated the free time she had to be involved with these activities and to study.
“I was happy that I really believed in the program from the start … it was the perfect program for me.”
She had several informal mentors throughout her time at Job Corps. The staff members subbed in as parents or guardians and gave her advice, even on money management. She’s kept in touch with her mentors and always appreciated her time with them, including her training instructors and faith-based program director. They invested in her and always reached out.
Michaela completed her accounting training within 6 months and was selected for advanced training with the Transportation and Communications Union Program (TCU). All students trained to work in an office and travel environment. Michaela learned about rail and air transportation, as well as office administration procedures. This program also taught students about acting and dressing professionally and had specific requirements to follow. This experience helped Michaela become a better professional and take her work seriously.
“I was selected, and the rest is history. I’m just appreciative for the opportunity.”
Through TCU, she had a work-based learning experience working at The Box. The Box was an office located at the corner of a building on center that provided students within TCU an opportunity to learn how to be a front desk office manager.
Michaela also completed three internships. Two of them were through unions, one being the American Federation for Government Employees (AFGE) union. Her third internship was with the U.S. Forest Service, headquartered in Washington, D.C., which sparked her career.
“It feels like such a perfect experience to come into the Job Corps program not having much knowledge of what it was but putting my faith in the program, and Job Corps didn’t let me down … it was the experience of a lifetime.”
Job Corps gave Michaela the focus she needed to succeed. After her third internship, Michaela worked a few months with the Forest Service before securing a permanent role, and she has been with the Forest Service ever since. She started working with its Conservation Education program, whose mission is to educate K–12 students about what it means to take pride in natural resources. This was a great opportunity for Michaela to learn and gain more experience.
While she worked at the Forest Service headquarters, she also returned to college and completed her bachelor’s degree in sociology. Today in her current role, Michaela is a regional recruiter for the Forest Service Southern Region working virtually in Norfolk, Va., to be close to family. She hopes to become more involved with the Job Corps program through the Forest Service.
Graduated from Job Corps in: 2007 Employer: U.S. Forest Service Hometown: Virginia Beach, Virginia Phone: 404-693-2111 Email: michaela.hall@usda.gov Submitted by: Becca Sweredoski Notes:
Employment: Regional Recruiter; U.S. Forest Service; Norfolk, Virginia (virtual work)
Salary: n/a
Source: Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service (Jesse Casterson, MA – Realignment Coordinator – Forest Service)