Graduate Returns to Job Corps to Give Back

“My favorite quote, ‘Life’s Journey can take a man places he never intended. For reasons that may forever remain Unknown’ is by Clifford “T.I.” Harris and it rings true for me,” expressed Lafay A. Walden II (28). After excelling at college, the former Cleveland Job Corps graduate returned to Job Corps to give back. Walden is a Job Corps Outreach and Admission Counselor in Youngstown, Ohio.

The passing of Walden’s older brother prompted him to get his life on track. He arrived at the Cleveland Job Corps Center on August 14, 2012, determined to succeed. In addition to earning his High School diploma from Penn Foster, Walden also obtained Medical Office Support Certification, First Aid, and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation credentials. He was a model student, the first student to receive Gold Phase, and had the most positive incident reports. Walden served on Student Government Association as G Dorm President and G Dorm Vice President. He also received the Work-Based Learning, Distinguish Gentleman, Education Student of the Month, Health Cluster Student of the Month, and Perfect Attendance awards.

Upon completing the Job Corps program on May 20, 2015, he enrolled in Youngstown State University. Walden earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Interpersonal and Organization Communications and a minor in Recording Arts and Technology in December 2019.

Walden is still attending Youngstown State as a graduate student. He is majoring in Professional Communications. “My plans changed after I enrolled in Job Corps and obtained my high school diploma,” acknowledged Walden. “Initially I had negative views about college, but thankfully because of Job Corps they were changed to positive.”

“My favorite quote, ‘Life’s Journey can take a man places he never intended. For reasons that may forever remain Unknown’ is by Clifford “T.I.” Harris and it rings true for me,” expressed Lafay A. Walden II (28). After excelling at college, the former Cleveland Job Corps graduate returned to Job Corps to give back. Walden is a Job Corps Outreach and Admission Counselor in Youngstown, Ohio.

The passing of Walden’s older brother prompted him to get his life on track. He arrived at the Cleveland Job Corps Center on August 14, 2012, determined to succeed. In addition to earning his High School diploma from Penn Foster, Walden also obtained Medical Office Support Certification, First Aid, and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation credentials. He was a model student, the first student to receive Gold Phase, and had the most positive incident reports. Walden served on Student Government Association as G Dorm President and G Dorm Vice President. He also received the Work-Based Learning, Distinguish Gentleman, Education Student of the Month, Health Cluster Student of the Month, and Perfect Attendance awards.

Upon completing the Job Corps program on May 20, 2015, he enrolled in Youngstown State University. Walden earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Interpersonal and Organization Communications and a minor in Recording Arts and Technology in December 2019.

Walden is still attending Youngstown State as a graduate student. He is majoring in Professional Communications. “My plans changed after I enrolled in Job Corps and obtained my high school diploma,” acknowledged Walden. “Initially I had negative views about college, but thankfully because of Job Corps they were changed to positive.”