Sydney Gingery was known as the “silent kid” for a decade. She went to school and grew up with the same people who were in her second-grade elementary class, and only a select few knew what her voice sounded like. Her first few days at Cascades Job Corps changed all that. Sydney blossomed while enrolled in Job Corps and became comfortable communicating with people from all over the country, which helped develop lifelong memories and friendships.
Sydney originally heard about Job Corps through a meeting at her high school. She was already interested in joining the Peace Corps after high school and thought Job Corps would be a step to get there. Little did she know she’d gain valuable experience, earn credentials and complete the college pilot program to earn her associate degree.
It was a tough transition from home to Job Corps for Sydney, and she was often challenged to step outside of her comfort zone; but she felt that she needed the change.
Sydney was also enrolled in the college pilot program, so instead of completing a training area, she took a bus 30 minutes from Cascades Job Corps to Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon every day to attend classes. She enjoyed the individual learning plans provided by Job Corps that kept her on track. Sydney was assigned a Job Corps counselor and had an interview-style meeting every 60 days to track progress, which also prepared her for real-world interviews.
“One thing that did help me … one of my friends I actually met at Job Corps, he said to me, ‘You have to finish what you started.’ That really helps me.”
While on campus, Sydney was heavily involved with extracurriculars. She went on the weekend recreation trips, which was one of her favorite parts about Job Corps, and attended bingo, ceramics and pottery wheel, and game events. Sydney made an effort to do all her schoolwork during school hours, so she had time for these activities. She was also one of two student REC department janitors for nearly a year.
Once COVID-19 hit in March 2020, Sydney began distance learning from home. She remained focused on her goals during her time away from campus, and she returned to Job Corps and Skagit Valley College in December 2020. She graduated from Skagit Valley College in March 2021 and stayed with Cascades Job Corps until May 2021 so she could earn her Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint credentials. During her time with Job Corps, Sydney was able to receive not only her associate degree and Microsoft certifications, but also her driver’s license and her Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) certification.
“After being here for nearly three years, I’ve grown into a different person. Despite earning the associate degree, I’m unsure where I would be in life today if it weren’t for Cascades’ community and relationships along the way.”
After graduation, Sydney was hired as a state worker for the Department of Licensing in Washington. She is using the skills and experience from Job Corps in her job today. She is looking forward to gaining even more experience.
“I am definitely glad that I found out about Job Corps. It’s probably not for everyone; but if I had to do it all over again, I would.”
Graduated from Job Corps in: Skagit Valley College, March 2021; Cascades Job Corps, May 2021 Employer: State Worker; Department of Licensing; Washington Hometown: Moscow, Idaho Phone: 253-244-8142 Email: SydneyGingery@Gmail.com Submitted by: Becca Sweredoski Notes:
Source: Center newsletter (Macklin Hamilton, BCL, hamilton.macklin@jobcorps.org)
Pilot Program for College (with an AA transfer degree from Skagit Valley College)