Whitney Young Job Corps alumni are all over the country working in very promising and successful careers. As for former student, LaTasha King, she credits the Whitney Young Job Corps Center for her successes gearing her in the direction of endless opportunities. LaTasha started Whitney Young Job Corps at age 19 after she graduated from high school in Memphis, TN. LaTasha like many young adults fresh out of high school wanted to continue her education, but did not want to go into debt. LaTasha had no knowledge of Job Corps other than a family member had attended a Job Corps Center in California. LaTasha met with an Outreach and Admissions representative to inquire more about the Job Corps program and decided to pursue a career in nursing.
LaTasha started Whitney Young Job Corps in November 2014 and by January 2016 she completed 5 health industry certifications such as Clinical Medical Assistant, EKG, Patient Care Technician, CPR, and Certified Nurse Assistant while also obtaining her driver’s license. As LaTasha completed her vocational trades, she participated in the Work Base Learning gaining on the job experience and participated in leisure time employment saving at least 80% of her earnings for independent living. LaTasha was also voted by her peers as the Homecoming Queen. After applying and interviewing for fulltime positions, LaTasha was offered full-time employment as a Patient-Care Technician with Norton’s Hospital, 4th largest employer in Louisville, KY.
“Job corps has given me the proper skills and training to take vitals sign, give injections, process and draw labs and to run EKG’s. Working in the field for only right at two years I am able to help my peers and seen as an assistant – adding value to my employer (to my surprise not all Medical Assistants can draw blood.)” said LaTasha.
While being employed with Norton’s for two years, LaTasha is also part of a private practice team where she brings tremendous knowledge and they depend on her to train others. Since LaTasha graduated from Whitney Young Job Corps, she has been attending Jefferson Community & Technical College and is starting her second year. LaTasha works 4 days a week 10 hour shifts, which allows her to take more college courses. LaTasha ultimately plans to become a physician assistant and realizes many more years of college is ahead of her.
LaTasha said, “My life has done a complete 360, before I went to job corps I was 19 years old, just graduating from my high school and a complete dependent of my parents. I had no idea AT ALL of what I wanted to do. I now work full time at Norton’s while going to school full time at JCTC to continue my career in the medical field. I am now completely independent with my own apartment and car. The best part I have no debt from school and can enjoy helping the patients that walk through our office every day starting with a smile. I always knew I had the potential to do great things, I just needed someone to see potential in me as well. Job Corps saw that potential and gave me the tools to change my life forever.” #JOBCORPSWORKS!!!