“I am a success, because of Job Corps.”

Those are the words of Deisy Rodriguez who graduated from the Clearfield Job Corps Center in Clearfield, Utah.

Deisy earned a high school diploma and certifications in the electrical program. The first two years after completing Job Corps, she worked for a power company and later Fed-Ex. Then, her old center called about a job opening.

Mike Byrd, manager of facility maintenance at Clearfield Job Corps recalls, “Our technician called her and said Deisy you should put in [for the job]. We have an opening. She was in a position in life where she said, ‘You know I think I’ll do that.'”

Deisy saw an opportunity with this job to broaden her experience using a wide variety of maintenance skills.

“He was the one that said just get into maintenance and try it out. It’s rewarding. You don’t just do electrical. You get to work with motors. You get to work with all kinds of stuff. And, that’s where I learned most of the things I know now, from being in maintenance; more than being focused on one thing.”

Mike says Deisy is mature, disciplined, and focused on success.

“Since she left,” says Mike, “she bought a home, she’s bought three cars, she told me she has an enough savings to last her a year.”

Deisy adds, “A house means you’re investing in it. It’s an investment. And it’s yours once you pay it off.”

But she says it was touch and go in the beginning.

“I remember one of the counselors saying, ‘Give it a chance. Give this place a chance.’ So, I was like ok. Then I was like no. I literally had tears draining from my eyes. I kept saying I don’t want to stay here. My Dads like, ‘No, if you don’t want to stay, I will come back for you that same day.’ So, I was like ok Dad. And the counselor just kept saying give it a chance. And finally, I was like ok. And a chance turned into a week, and then a month, and then I was here for a year. So, all I have to say to the students is to give it a chance-that’s all. Because in the end, its worth it. It was worth it for me, and I know it’s going to be worth it for everybody else.”