Look for Dylan Harris’ work in a city’s skyline someday soon.

Harris (Carpentry) is the latest graduate of Whitney M. Young Job Corps Center, and he has a bright plan for his future: architecture. And his first step on his road to his dream was an education at Whitney. Next step? Gaining his degree at the University of Arizona.

Harris admits that before coming to Job Corps, he lived a difficult life and sought the program to try and find a new direction.

“I come from the hood…I come from a troubled background,” Harris said. “I just wanted to change. And that change led me to finding something else I was good at and that wouldn’t get me in trouble.”

Enter Job Corps.

“They did things for me that they didn’t have to do. It was an all-around great experience for me,” Harris said. “I’ve designed things here just to help me better myself.”

And Harris has not been on his own in terms of self-improvement. Job Corps’ instructors have helped him find other ways to build the skills he’ll need in the world of architecture.

But even with all the growth he’s made towards his life’s dream, these achievements are not his proudest thing. It was how he grew and matured alongside his fellow students.

“You would think it would be finishing my trade, but it was really the connections I made with people,” he said. “There were times I was missing home and wanted to leave. A lot of other people would talk me into staying and pursuing what I wanted to pursue.”

And for the students who follow, Harris offered some advice.

“Everybody stay focused,” he said. “You can do anything you put your mind to. Just keep up the hard work and good work and your day is coming soon.”