Janeka Whitley has been nominated for the “Women in Nontraditional Occupations” and the “Golden Boot Award”

Janeka Whitley has been nominated for the “Women in Nontraditional Occupations” and “Golden BOOT Award” The purpose of the award is to solicit nominees from the Job Corps Community for the 2013 Better Occupational Opportunities for Tradeswomen (B.O.O.T) student recognition award and the Paramount Instructor Award.

Nontraditional occupations for women are described by the Department of Labor as those in which women comprise of 25 percent of less of those employed.

Janeka has been showing great promise as the only female welder in her vocation. But don’t take her lightly. She is pr0bably by far one of the better welders in her class stated “Marvin Ramsey” (Liaison Specialist). Her overall work ethic has really improved. She leads by example and is always ready to assist her peers in class and throughout the job corps center.

As a child growing up in Charlotte, NC., I remember through various stages of my childhood aspiring to be any and everything I could dream of. One week I wanted to be a ballerina, the next week I wanted to sing. That is, until I realized that I could not sing, which ended v quickly. Before job corps I never thought I would be taking a non-traditional trade like welding. The reason I choose this vocation is that it pays well and keeps my interest, in addition to knowing that you can do so much in welding such as, underwater welding, classroom instructor or a structural welder. Plus, I love the challenge of competing with other members in class (men), when they see that I can make better welds that they. They particularly get angry when I win in countless welding contest.

Since I have been in Job Corps, I feel that there have been a lot of influential people that have assisted me in achieving my career goals. That gives me the most inspiration in wanting the best for me and my family. I can say that my motivation comes from my dad. When he was alive, I remember him being such a hard worker and always providing for his family. My ego gets me in trouble at times. It lead me to believe in welding that, I got this. I’m not going to face any challenges. Boy was I wrong. Welding is not easy. Without my instructor teaching and helping me, I would have not known anything, such as, welding beads, flux cords, vertical welds or even cutting metal.

When I first enrolled into Job Corps, I really did not think the welding would be for me. I initially saw it as a vocation for males. Now that I have got some experience under my belt, It has really opened my eyes and continues to build my confidence in other aspects of my life. Now I know that when I set goals for myself, I can accomplish them.

“After completing Job Corps, I would like to find a well paying  job in the welding field for a company and maybe even do some underwater welding. I would like to also go back to school for my mortuary science degree. Eventually, I would like to open my own funeral home and hire some of my family members.

” I think sometimes women don’t get the credit that men do, when it comes to work ethic. We really work hard to make our mark in society. There are a lot of women in nontraditional trades who carry a full load at work, home, with families, and educating themselves to raise the glass ceiling and break down those traditional roles that we face. My best advice to females who are considering a nontraditional trade is that, you can do anything you put your mind to, so don’t be intimidated by males, because women can shine bright like a diamond” she concluded.

The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the million acres of public land, provide assistance to state and private landowners and maintain the largest forestry research organization in the world. For more information about th Lyndon B. Johnson CCC, visit: www.lyndonbjohnson.jobcorps.gov