Sometimes it is just ‘a way of looking at things’, which will actually expand and change one’s perspective. At the Alaska Job Corps, students are taught to look beyond the immediate horizon. They’re encouraged to investigate various options and side pathways. Sometimes a great career is not always down the straightest nor most visible career path.

Sometimes obstacles may stand in the way of employment. Just like clouds, in front of a mountain, challenges can obscure the goal. Students are trained about labor market information and economic trends. This research and dedicated patience allows the clouds to lift, offering clarity of purpose. Successful careers require discipline and credentials along with a skill of “keeping your eye on the future.” Vision and focus allow fine tuning.

Alaska Job Corps students are trained in trade certification and academics. But sometimes– all the training in the world– doesn’t help if there are obstacles or barriers in some of the “softer skills”, which can block hiring. This is why Job Corps teaches, mentors and requires punctuality, positive attitude, passion and communication as “must-have-fundamentals.”

The Alaska Job Corps Center is operated by Chugach Government Solutions as part of their educational effort to provide training, safety and success to young adults in the National Job Corps program.

This photo was taken by Recreational Advisor Brock Antijunti– during a student evening outing up the road from the Alaska Job Corps Center. In addition to discussing this great metaphor–about future planning–the students also saw a large bear!