Jarred Pace

Being a part of the National Job Corps Association Leadership Summit on September 22, 2021, was a life-changing experience. It inspired me to want to do different new things and be a great leader.

Everyone at the event was so welcoming that there was a sense of comfort while the place was filled with positive energy. Meeting Secretary Walsh was a great opportunity. Just to hear his story letting us know that it is never too late to follow our dreams; anything we can put our minds on we can achieve. Seeing the drive and ambition they had was so motivating. It showed me and my fellow peers that they want to make this a first-choice program and help us get to a stable place in our lives. We then went on to meet other people and third-party companies that help and assist with Job Corps.

It was also great meeting Mr. Garey, NJCA CEO; National Director, Ms. Torress, and other main leaders of Job Corps. For them to know and embrace who I was, was a feeling I will never forget. It has given me the courage and focus I needed to keep striving for excellence. Certain things we learned in the leadership skill training at the NJCA event were The mindset and skills to succeed, challenge assumed constraints and being proactive, activating points of power, and how to make smart goals. So many different tools that were presented at the sessions were very helpful.

I am so grateful that I have been chosen to attend such a wonderful conference. I would like to extend my special thanks to my SGA family and the Potomac JCC staff for preparing us for the event and for making me feel important and for not ever give up on myself during my journey. I feel honored and thankful for being able to be around people who have my best interest.

Amber Morrison

The National Job Corps Association Leadership Summit was a very positive experience. From the time we walked in the door we felt important. At the summit, we had the wonderful opportunity to meet Secretary Walsh. Listening to his story was so amazing because it does not differ from most of the students in Job Corps. We also had the opportunity to ask him questions and enjoy his personality and sense of humor. Although he is a very busy man, he put everything on hold and said “Ask me whatever you want. Everyone else can wait. This is your time.” and that made us feel important and heard.

After our round table talk with Secretary Walsh and Tevin Grant, the Youth Engagement Specialist for NJCA, we headed over to the main conference hall where we had reserved seating and a room full of Department of Labor representatives, third party companies and so many cameras. It was there where we got to hear Secretary Walsh’s speech along with the National Director, Ms. Torres. We got to ask more questions and then it was time for the student panel where all the V.I.P guests in the room got to ask the panelist some questions. Even though I was not an official panel member, my partner Jarred Pace represented well and I added my two cents during that time as well.

From this experience, I’ve met so many amazing people and made so many wonderful connections not only with the adults in the room but with other leaders from other centers as well. This was truly an experience I will never forget. I want to thank the Potomac JCC staff for selecting us, preparing us for this event, and believing in us. We were able to experience this opportunity by not only representing our center but to be a voice for our peers and networking.