Sydney “Jordyn” Richardson from Crete, Illinois, enrolled in Whitney M. Young Job Corps Center in December of 2019 seeking her certification in Certified Medical Assistant and High School Diploma. Richardson became interested in the program after discussing the various opportunities offered by Job Corps from a previous student.

Richardson has completed her High School Diploma through the center Eminence High School Diploma program. Richardson has also completed her Certified Medical Assistant training course, and is awaiting her final exam. Not deterred by the pandemic, Richardson was able to complete her curriculum utilizing distance learning.

Richardson returned to center during our second cohort and is very excited to complete her final exam. After successfully passing her Certified Medical Assistant certification exam, Richardson hopes to join the National Guard while attending college.

Richardson’s words of encouragement to her peers is to “focus on your future and where you want to be, that will be your motivation to get through.”