Charlese Hill (CNA) didn’t know much about Job Corps when she decided to give the program a shot – just that it was a free education.

“I kind of just went for it,” she said. “I just took my chances.”

With a start like that, though, Hill has accomplished great things as a Whitney M. Young Job Corps Center student, as she reflected when graduating.

“I held down a job, I got all of my certifications,” Hill said. “It could be challenging, but it’s really fun.”

From those accomplishments, Hill will next turn her attention to an advanced training program that will help her gain a full nursing certification – and land her in the job she truly wants.

“The thing about nursing that draws me in is the ability to help people, even if you put yourself at high risk,” she said, adding that nurses have the ability to, no matter what the circumstances are, get up and wash themselves off and get back to work.

“Your main priority is the person you’re trying to help.”

But it wasn’t a cakewalk to get into the advanced study track Hill is now undertaking. To qualify, she had to pass a lengthy test that covered all aspects of nursing– and that she only had two weeks to study for.

“I passed on my first try,” she said. “One out of a thousand pass on their first try.”

However, even with the next step in her journey underway, she looks back warmly on Whitney M. Young, the accomplishments she achieved, and the friends she made.

“You meet a lot of lovable people,” she said. “I had a really good time here.”