“The odds were stacked up against me, but I BEAT them.” – Isaiah Jacobs

Isaiah Jacobs came to Little Rock Job Corps Center from Clarksdale, Mississippi. He made the choice to come to Job Corps so that he wouldn’t fall into the same track as his siblings. “My older brother is in prison doing 20 to life. One night he and some guys went and killed somebody. I was supposed to be hanging out with them, but my girl wanted me to stay with her and spend time with my daughter. Now, something my brother did for 15 minutes is affecting him for the rest of his life. I wanted to make sure I didn’t end up like that.” Isaiah knew that if he didn’t get on the right track, he could end up down a difficult path. He wanted to change and do better for himself; he wanted to be stable enough to care for his younger siblings if anything were to happen to his mother.

Once Isaiah came to LRJCC, he chose to take the Facilities Maintenance trade. “I thought I knew everything, so I kept trying to rush through the trade. I realized I didn’t know it all when I put a nail through my finger.” Isaiah was then appointed the position of Safety Manager, a position in which he served until he left center. Isaiah says he didn’t know what to expect when he got to Job Corps, but he just kept his head high and stayed focused.

For Groundhog Job Shadow Day, Isaiah had the opportunity to shadow Center Director, Ms. Angela Rackley. Isaiah took on a part of Ms. Rackley’s personality, as he was not afraid to go after the answers he wanted. During meetings, Isaiah was able to take the reins and get things done, just as Ms. Rackley normally would. He showcased wonderful professionalism, as well as great leadership skills.

“Tell me what do you see when you looking at me? On a mission to be what I’m destined to be. I done been through the pain and the sorrow. The struggle is nothing but love. I’m a soldier, a rider, a ghetto survivor, and all the above.” These lyrics are from the song “All the Above” by Maino and T-Pain. Every morning, Isaiah Jacobs listens to this song for motivation for the day ahead of him. He says this song motivated him in all that he did at the Little Rock Job Corps Center, including applying to Advanced Training.

Isaiah was accepted into the TCU Program at the St. Louis Job Corps Center where he will be working for their railroad program provided through Amtrak. Isaiah says that he wants to complete this program to the best of his abilities, and then get his own place, vehicle, and a “good paying job” once he’s done.

We know that Isaiah will represent our center well and do great things while taking advantage of all that Advanced Training has to offer him. Little Rock Job Corps Center is very proud of Isaiah and all that he has accomplished and overcome. Isaiah has shown great growth as an individual at the Little Rock Job Corps Center, and there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that he will continue to grow and mature as an individual at the St. Louis Job Corps Center. Isaiah began Advanced Training on Feb.16.