PerAsia W.
Age: 18
Hometown: Cleveland
Center: Cleveland
Region: Chicago
JC Dates: April 3, 2017 – January 11, 2018
Career Area: Medical Office Support
Employer: Metro Health Medical Center
Position: Administrative Assistant

During the 12th grade year of homeschooling, PerAsia decided to make a change; one that would help her on a career path. “I wasn’t focused, I needed a change…I needed more structure,” admitted PerAsia. “So, I enrolled in Job Corps.” She arrived at the Cleveland Job Corps Center on April 3, 2017, seeking a high school diploma and a career trade.

PerAsia completed her high school diploma through Penn Foster, in addition to completing the Medical Office Support trade. She also earned her Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), ServSafe, and First Aid credentials.

She described how she had to learn to overcome her stubbornness, to adjust to campus life and living with others. PerAsia explained how the structure of the Job Corps program and her mentor Medical Office Support Instructor, Nicole Jackson-Lewis believed in her and counseled her when she needed it. “Mrs. Jackson-Lewis still continues to counsel me, I am so THANKFUL to have her,” said PerAsia.

PerAsia just accepted a position at Metro Health Medical Center, as an Administrative Assistant. She will be attending Bryant and Stratton College this fall to pursue a License Practitioner Nurse (LPN) Associate Degree. PerAsia aspires to be a Registered Nurse once she completes the LPN program. “Never lose focus, always try to better yourself, remain humble, and learn to overcome barriers that interfere with you achieving your goals,” recommends PerAsia.