“Job Corps taught me discipline, how to listen and to budget,” explained Shakia Smith. “But the most notable thing I learned was to apply myself to everything I do.”
When Cleve
land Job Corps graduate Shakia was 18 years old and a high school graduate, she knew she wanted to take the right step toward her future; but she also knew college wouldn’t be the right fit. She decided to Google “free education,” and that’s how she found Job Corps. “I didn’t want to sit around,” she said. “There was more for me, I just had to find it.”
Shakia enrolled in the Cleveland Job Corps Center and chose the Certified Nurse Assistant training area as her path. Once in the program, she found herself faced with one of her biggest obstacles yet—math. Shakia always struggled with math in school; but now that she had chosen the Certified Nurse Assistant pathway, she knew “there was no running away. I had to face it and figure it out.” That was where the support of Job Corps came to her rescue. Her math teacher Mr. Levy gave her the support and guidance she needed to conquer the class.
Another person who encouraged Shakia was Carla Widener, her nursing instructor. “If I started slacking, she would stay on me until I got back on track. And my work-based learning coordinator Melonie Harrell didn’t allow me to get away with anything. They were both tough on me, but it was because they both cared about me,” she said.
Shakia grew not only academically but in her leadership skills as well. She became president of the female dorm and cited her time at Job Corps as being where her “leadership skills began.” The center staff and her instructors invested in her and instilled a belief in herself.
“I truly believe having strong teachers and mentors helped me get to where I am. They still check in on me, and having that support system has been huge for me. I know if I ever wanted to seek out new employment, they would be there for me and help much as much as they could,” she said.
Shakia completed her training and earned her State Tested Nursing Assistant, Home Health Aide, ServSafe, CPR and First Aid credentials. The Job Corps grad also completed the Licensed Practical Nurses program at Northern Career Institute on June 3, 2021.
“Future nursing students should be compassionate, yet tough, and great communicators. Most importantly, stay calm because you will be dealing with all types of people from all walks of life,” Shakia recommended.
At just 20 years old, Shakia is thriving in her job at Cedarwood Plaza Nursing Home and said, “Working in the medical field is a humbling and rewarding experience.” Shakia is looking forward to returning to school and plans to become a registered nurse before going on to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner.
Graduated from Job Corps in: 2019 Hometown: Painesville, Ohio Phone: 440-307-0058 Submitted by: Sellars Huy