Inattentive in a traditional school setting, Cleveland, Ohio native Aaliyah Higdon (18) decided to enroll in Job Corps. She felt it would be a good fit and opportunity one that could really change her life.

On March 25, 2019, Aaliyah began her course of study at the Cleveland Job Corps Center. She decided not to take part in any extracurricular activities and focus solely on obtaining her high school diploma and nurse assistant certification. She accomplished her goals on July 6, 2020, earning a High School Diploma from Penn Foster along with her State Tested Nursing Assistant, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Home Health Aide, and ServSafe credentials.

Aaliyah is now working as a Caregiver at Tapestry Senior Living. Next year, Aaliyah plans to continue her education in the Spring 2021 at Hondros College of Nursing to pursue a Nurse Practitioner License. “My plans changed while I was attending Cleveland Job Corps. I never had any thoughts of becoming a Nurse Practitioner,” said Aaliyah. “Thank You Carla Widener, Cleveland Job Corps State Tested Nursing Assistant Instructor for not giving up on me and showing me that I do have the ability to achieve my goals