Shameka Rabon was raised in the small military town of Lawton, Oklahoma. With a large family that included four brothers and three sisters, there was rarely a dull moment in her house. Shameka consistently made good grades, but after the unexpected passing of her youngest brother during her senior year, she had trouble coping with her loss. Shameka worked hard and was able to graduate, but she continued to struggle.
Shameka began working at McDonald’s, but she quickly realized it was not a long-term solution for employment. Wanting a career where she could help others, Shameka explored the medical field and came across an ad for Job Corps.
She enrolled in the Clinical Medical Assistant training area at the Blue Ridge Job Corps Center, earning her Clinical Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy Technician, EKG Technician and Patient Care Technician certifications. In addition to completing an internship at Smyth OBGYN, she was also involved in a variety of sports and other extracurricular activities.
After graduation, Shameka began working for Spring Harbor Assisted Living of Williamsburg and continued there for three years as a patient care technician. She is now employed at Nurturing Hearts and Care, and plans to go back to school to earn a higher degree.
“Be a leader,” Shameka advises potential Job Corps students. “It won’t always be easy, but it is worth it in the end.”
Graduated from Job Corps in: March 2015 Employer: Nurturing Hearts and Care Hometown: Lawton, Oklahoma Submitted by: Center Newsletter