After graduating from Walnut Ridge High School in Columbus, Ohio, Rashad Turner attended Bowling Green University for Liberal Arts and Applied Science. Unprepared and lacking guidance, his grades began to drop, so he returned home to go to work. Feeling like he gave up on his education and wasn’t getting where he wanted to be, he decided to enroll into Job Corps.

On August 22, 2016, Mr. Turner joined the Cleveland Job Corps Center “family.” He completed the program on March 13, 2017, after obtaining his Nursing Assistant, Home Health Aide and Serve Safe certifications. “Job Corps is one of the greatest things that ever happened to me. It helped me realize who I am, how far I can go and to get out of my comfort zone,” explained Mr. Turner. “Students should use the program to the fullest. It’s a great program that can set you up for success if you apply yourself.”

The 21-year-old has been accepted into the Centennial Job Corps Center’s Wildland Fire Management program in Nampa, Idaho, where the Advanced Certification program takes 11 months to complete. Mr. Turner will then transfer to an apprenticeship program in California where he will also be employed. Mr. Turner hopes to become a public speaker to inspire young adults after he becomes financially stable.