Robert Gagnon wants to be the first Job Corps graduate to run for president. While he admits that it’s an ambitious goal, he feels confident about what he can achieve—thanks in part to how Job Corps helped him grow.
Robert’s skills as a natural leader shone in his time at Gerald R. Ford Job Corps Center in Michigan. He chose to study Culinary Arts and quickly got involved on campus. He served as secretary of the Student Government Association, and his gregarious attitude and strong work ethic drew other students to him. He became a role model and confidant for others, and center staff appreciated him for being able to relate to his peers on a level that they couldn’t always reach. The staff even voted unanimously to award him with a Medal of Merit Award from U.S. Rep. Justin Amash for all that he did for others.
“That was very humbling that all the staff supported me in that,” Robert said. “I was honored to receive that.”
Robert grew up on a working farm in Atlantic Mine, Mich., and always knew that Job Corps might be on his horizon. His parents, who adopted him and his brothers at a young age, knew about Job Corps through their connections in social work. They encouraged their children to take advantage of the free career training. Robert was reluctant at first; he just wanted to graduate from high school and go to college like most of his peers planned to do. His dad told him just to give it a shot, and if it didn’t work out, he could come home.
Robert enjoyed his time at Gerald R. Ford Job Corps so much that he decided to apply for advanced training at Treasure Island Job Corps Center in California. The culture shock of moving from Grand Rapids to San Francisco was nerve-wracking at first because he was still just 17, but ultimately it was rewarding in some surprising ways. The chefs at Treasure Island, he says, cared a lot about passing their knowledge to students and creating opportunities for them.
The best part of his time in California, though, was when he was able to discover and connect with his biological half-sister and half-brothers who were living in Sacramento.
“That was a big moment,” Robert said. “That was really me beginning to meet my biological family for the first time as an adult.”
As he neared graduation at Treasure Island, Robert considered his next move. He had thought about joining the military before opting for advanced training instead, and as his time at Job Corps came to an end, he began speaking with a recruiter. Robert wanted to finish his studies first; but just five days after graduation, he shipped off for boot camp with the United States Navy.
Job Corps prepared him well for military life, he said—better than if he’d enlisted directly out of high school.
“Job Corps is very good at teaching work relationships, how to communicate, how to act and dress professionally, how to be on time—basic things that I believe a lot of young people can benefit from,” Robert said. “Job Corps set me up very well, even though I didn’t pursue the trade I originally went there for.”
Right now, he lives on base in San Diego and works as an aviation electronics technician, where he maintains and troubleshoots the complicated electrical and defense systems of military helicopters. He has until 2024 to decide whether to reenlist, but some other paths he’s considering are enrolling in the naval academy or using his G.I. bill benefits to pursue a degree in political science and economics.
“I have a lot of things that I want to do,” Robert said. “I want to be a part of change, but I also want to live a life on a farm … I just want to do a little bit of everything in my life.”
Job Corps helped Robert find himself—and his family. He has some advice for anyone considering the program: “Just like my dad told me, just give it a shot.”
Graduated from Job Corps in: 2019 Employer: Aviation Electronics Technician, United States Navy Hometown: Atlantic Mine, Michigan Phone: 906-231-5940 Submitted by: Hannah Purdy Notes:
Source: James Harris