How JobCorps helped me transition from dead-end jobs to a career path.
I have a money-making mindset. I’m great at problem-solving, and I excel in organization. Although I learned these positive traits via so much work experience in my teenage years, I struggled with time and money management as well as keeping a job. When I realized I needed a career, I was still trying to save and do everything on my own. My uncle encouraged me to move to San Diego and enroll in the JobCorps. Immediately, my entire life changed when I made that decision for myself.
My First Job
I began my first job at McDonald’s when I was 14 years old. The Mcdonald’s was walking distance to my family’s house, and I filled out my paper application. I made sure I turned it in to the manager. I followed up two days later, asking to speak to the manager. After I got a hold of him, I said “Hello, my name is Muajuara and I filled out an application for a team member position. Have you had a chance to review it?” The manager asked me if I could interview that same day, and I excitedly said yes! Although I was young, I spoke professionally, asked questions and maintained direct eye contact. I learned that due to child labor laws, I could only legally work part time. I was grateful to make $8.25 an hour. Especially since it was my first job, and I didn’t come from money. It felt really nice being able to earn my own income. However, I did experience terrible treatment from one of my managers there at the time. She wasn’t very fond of me, so I ended up quitting. Ultimately, this job was the start of a cycle of me working hourly jobs that were close to home but led to nowhere.
Seemingly Endless Monotony And Burn-Out
Throughout high school I still worked hourly jobs but learned to manage schoolwork and family. I’m the oldest female out of my siblings, which in many ethnic households, means you are considered the caregiver. I grew up with a single mother who worked double shifts at a dairy factory. My routine was school, cook for the family, work at my job, clean our home, and help my siblings with their homework at the end of the day. It became too much, and I started turning to bad coping mechanisms like isolating, smoking, and overworking myself. These bad habits interfered with the plans I originally had when I first started working. I knew I needed a change, I knew I needed to break this cycle.
I was exhausted from working over ten jobs from the age of 14 to 21 and living paycheck to paycheck. I remember being 14 years old, in Rochester Minnesota, working my first shift at a local McDonalds and saying to myself “This job, and the money I will earn, is going to benefit my future.” Then at age 21, I realized I was burned out and needed a change. It wasn’t only financially exhausting; but also emotionally, mentally, and physically tiring as well. I was so motivated to work because I am a first-generation Ethiopian American woman, and I felt the need to provide for myself, my community and my family.
JobCorps, My New Path
Job Corps is the nation’s largest free, residential career training and education program for low-income young adults ages 16 through 24. I was excited for the opportunities they had to offer, and I was ready for a change in my life. After filling out an application and attending an orientation, I scheduled an interview with my recruiting counselor. Then I waited for my background check to clear. Once I was cleared, I was contacted by my counselor and given my enrollment date on October 31st, 2023. I waited a while for my clearance to pass and I was impatient during the wait, but my motivation never wavered.
My first day at Job Corps I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. It consisted of introductions to the center as I learned about the different work areas, including both trade and academic options. I was fine after my first week, but then I failed my drug test and was placed in a program that helps students get clean and sober. It would be something I didn’t want to happen but needed to do.
Since I failed my drug test, I was to stay on campus until I was clean. It was challenging for me, because smoking was a coping mechanism that I never acknowledged. I thought I could stop whenever I wanted. The program showed me a lot about myself in that month. I realized that I was impatient, easily irritated, and a bit harsh. I prayed to God everyday to remove those negative traits because I was never like that before I started smoking. When I passed my drug test, I was able to identify when I felt those feelings and engage in more healthy responses.
During that month I was in Career Planning Preparation (CPP) – I took a personality test, explored different trades, and made my own career pathway plan. After CPP, I chose my trade as a Medical Administrative Assistant (MAA). I chose MAA because it’s a pathway towards being a surgical technician.
The Job Corps program broke the cycle for me. I’ve been in the Job Corps for exactly one year now, and I will finish with several trade certifications, my high school diploma, and job placement into a career of my choice. I have new strengths: adaptability, emotional intelligence, and time management skills. Job Corps guided me to be a responsible adult in the real world. Everyone’s journey is different, but what’s common is that sacrifice is needed to ensure that you have the future that you dreamed of.