Anyone have personal experience/knowledge of Job Corps?

[Mike'sGirl]

My 20-year-old son has an interview with Job Corps next week.
I basically understand what it is (and it sounds great for him), but does anyone know what the interview process is like or how hard it is to get in? Anyone know any success stories or people who may have been through the program?

[LipsofanAngel]

I don't know much off hand... but if you can hold off until Tuesday, I can get some info. THe only thing I know- the "kids" who get in seem to really benefit from it.

[Conveyor Belt]

I hired a lot of people at Checkers from Job Corps... I always asked them why they weren't doing what they studied for, and they said there weren't any jobs for that. Now, that's a completely one sided story, so take it for what you will.

[Mike'sGirl]

I don't know much off hand... but if you can hold off until Tuesday, I can get some info. THe only thing I know- the "kids" who get in seem to really benefit from it.

His interview is not until Thursday, so if you get any good information between now and then, please let me know.
Thanks!

[Dixie Tree Slayer]

When I worked at St. Michaels we often had children going to Job Corp. Make sure whatever field he endeavors in it is one that truly has potential for what he
a) is going to want to do for the rest of his days. We had one boy go through a nurses aid training and when he got out he realized what his job was going to entail... Taking care of the elderly in nursing homes. Which included bathing and changing diapers etc... For him it was a waste of time.

b) Also understand the people going through the program is a slice of the population. There will be some of the finest people he could meet and there will be others that will steal him blind. IPods or anything of a valuable nature needs his name put on it in such a way it can't be removed to thwart theft... One of our boys from the school had his stereo portable CD player and the like stolen.

c) remember some of the skills taught are conditional and based on many factors. Brick laying for example is not very lucrative based on the fact housing is down and more specifically construction of new housing is down.

When you get a listing of the different trainings offered do a reverse brain storming session on it and look for the bad in all the jobs offered... example of brick laying... Dependent on new construction. dependent on the weather. Everytime a cloud will blow overhead understand it is a day off without pay. Look at a bricklayers hands. They are dry and very rough. Capable of sanding a car down to the metal with no sandpaper. Then go through them and do the positive session... Good pay. Outdoors all the time... Good shape Benefits? This is dependent of who he works for.... Most have no benefits and will fit in the negative side. Even with the bad weather a bricklayer will still earn a good living. Provided he puts enough back for those rainy days...

Tell him good luck! Job Corps does good work... :smt023

[sparrow]

I haven't been able to post here for several weeks due to several music projects in which I've been involved. I still check this board from time to time and noticed your Job Corps related post and thought maybe I could help or at least answer some questions for you. I worked at the Job Corps center in Gulfport for about seven years, before and after it was almost destroyed by Katrina, in an administrative and computer/tech support capacity. I had a lot of interaction with both staff and students and I'm pretty familiar with how their system works. I'd be happy to answer your questions. Just PM me and I'll send you my contact information.

[Dixie Tree Slayer]

Hi Sparrow,
Not to be mean or anything disrespectful but the beauty of this bulletin board is we gain knowledge through other people experiences... So unless there are some things that are confidential or you had rather not talk about openly it would possibly be a big help for someone going through the same experience a year from now when they google and search for it they won't come to the end of the thread with a PM me... Know what I mean?
So if you can post it openly please do so...
Thanks
DTS

[sparrow]

Not to be mean or anything disrespectful but the beauty of this bulletin board is we gain knowledge through other people experiences... So unless there are some things that are confidential or you had rather not talk about openly it would possibly be a big help for someone going through the same experience a year from now when they google and search for it they won't come to the end of the thread with a PM me... Know what I mean?
So if you can post it openly please do so...
Thanks
DTS

While i certainly agree about the "beauty of this bulletin board" there are some things about my observations of Job Corps that I wouldn't feel comfortable sharing in an open forum such as this. Also, there are some things I can't speak to as all employees are bound by confidentially agreements when entering or leaving. I left my job less than two years ago and some time still remains until that's no longer in effect. It was not my intention to exclude anyone or not share my experience with the group, but only to help MikesGirl by providing what information I could. Hope you can understand. Thanks.

[Dixie Tree Slayer]

While i certainly agree about the "beauty of this bulletin board" there are some things about my observations of Job Corps that I wouldn't feel comfortable sharing in an open forum such as this. Also, there are some things I can't speak to as all employees are bound by confidentially agreements when entering or leaving. I left my job less than two years ago and some time still remains until that's no longer in effect. It was not my intention to exclude anyone or not share my experience with the group, but only to help MikesGirl by providing what information I could. Hope you can understand. Thanks.Absolutely! I had figured it boiled down to a confidentiality situation... Perhaps if there are some questions she has that are fitting to share on the board you would be willing to share them? We are all just a bunch of nosey people on occasion!:smt023 I hope you understand that and I appreciate your telling us your situation...:clap:

[Mike'sGirl]

I haven't been able to post here for several weeks due to several music projects in which I've been involved. I still check this board from time to time and noticed your Job Corps related post and thought maybe I could help or at least answer some questions for you. I worked at the Job Corps center in Gulfport for about seven years, before and after it was almost destroyed by Katrina, in an administrative and computer/tech support capacity. I had a lot of interaction with both staff and students and I'm pretty familiar with how their system works. I'd be happy to answer your questions. Just PM me and I'll send you my contact information.

Sparrow,
I've now sent you a PM. Thanks for offering to help with my questions.
I look forward to hearing from you.