As the Career Development Director of the Sacramento Job Corps Center, Rhianna Johnson keeps busy overseeing several departments: Academics, Career Preparation, Career & Technical Training, and Career Transition Services. It’s a big effort to make sure the 300 students attending the center receive the services needed to be successful. Earlier in the day, she met with a Career Preparation student who was still finding it a challenge to adjust to campus life. Johnson can relate to what that student was experiencing because she was once a student at PIVOT Job Corps Center in Portland.

By the time the North Portland native was high school age, she had moved homes and changed schools so many times that it was hard to keep track. Being in school and staying there was another problem. “I didn’t really fit in with the whole high school thing. I had a lot of issues with bullying, so I dropped out and got involved with people who were not making the best choices,” said Johnson. She tried giving her high school another chance, but it didn’t work. Maybe things would be different at an alternative school? Kind of. A couple of months later, though, Johnson dropped out. She was having zero luck finding an environment that was a good fit. Johnson’s mom suggested she call and get more information about some program where students could earn a GED and learn the skills needed in the business and clerical field. Johnson called and learned about PIVOT Job Corps.

She liked what she heard over the phone. “I saw it as an opportunity to try to do something,” said Johnson. PIVOT was the fit Johnson needed. She felt the students were more mature and that helped her feel comfortable, she had great relationships with her teachers, and she was even the President of the Student Government Association. She was also excelling at her Work Experience Practicum (think internship) with a court reporting company in a fancy high rise in downtown. In less than a year, Johnson earned her GED and completed the Business & Clerical program. “Before PIVOT, I had no direction and didn’t know what I was going to do with my life,” said Johnson. She had options now. “They [court reporting company] were going to give me a job, but my PIVOT WEP Coordinator told me that I should really go to college instead,” said Johnson. “I hadn’t really thought about college, to be honest.”

The confidence was there and she knew college was her next stop. PIVOT partnered with Mt. Hood Community College for Advanced Career Training, but Johnson lived in St. Johns and the Gresham campus was quite the trek. Instead, she opted for the much closer Portland Community College-Cascades. After completing her associates’ degree, Johnson transferred to Washington State University and majored in Public Affairs. A career in government is what she thought she wanted, but her experience at PIVOT pushed her towards the education path. “I decided I wanted to go into student affairs to work with other students who might have had similar experiences and who could use someone to help them along,” said Johnson. She wasn’t done with school just yet. Johnson went to Portland State and earned a Master’s Degree in Sociology, taught on campus, and continued working in student services. Johnson then became the Director at Portland Community College-Cascades, the school where her college journey began. Then a new opportunity appeared and it was with Job Corps in Sacramento. The pros of taking the job: being back with Job Corps and a sunnier city. The cons: missing the rainy Portland weather. She accepted the job and has been with the program for a year and a half.

Johnson is now the mentor and supportive adult for students who might not have it all figured out. When Johnson was in their shoes, she didn’t know what she wanted either. “I didn’t really think in those terms, to be honest,” said Johnson. “I can relate when they say, “oh, I don’t really know what my career path is?”” Throughout her career, Johnson sought out guidance from mentors, starting at PIVOT and all the way to Portland State. She stresses to her students the importance of finding an individual or individuals you can reach out to for assistance. She was the first professional in her family and the first to attend college, and there wasn’t an established path to follow. Johnson had to create her own. “When you come from that background and try to get in the professional world and start building your career, there is no manual for that, so you have to look for help and for mentors.”