In 1970, 55 years ago, Salvador Heredia graduated from Gary Job Corps as an Electrical Wireman. Heredia says that this education was the building block for his successful career in the army.
”My Job Corps experiences in 1970 were the best years of my life and helped to shape the path of life,” Heredia said. “When I arrived at the Gary Job Corps Center I saw a poster on the wall that I loved and it helped me set the direction of my life.
“I do not remember all the lines on the poster, but I do remember the first two: ‘Reading a thousand books in your life is like traveling around the world at least once’ and ‘Become an expert in many fields.’” Prior to coming to the Gary Job Corps Center he did not finish high school, but Gary provided him the education he needed to get his career started.
”After graduating I got a job as an electrician’s helper, in 1973. I got married and my goals were to provide for my family the best I could.
“After years of training, working and studying I became a licensed electrician, and as I wanted to further my training this time in basic refrigeration, a classmate told me about the educational opportunities in the U.S. Army. In 1978 I joined the Army. Initially my plan was to do four years and get my Bachelor’s Degree, however the Army life was good to my wife, family and me, and after 20 years I retired in 2008. I retired as a Sergeant Major, earning three Master’s Degrees, two of them after I retired.”
Salvador said his education at Gary Job Corps has led to the successes in his life. “The instructors, staff, friends and students helped create the character that I am.
”One last point I want to make. I was born in Chicago but was raised in Mexico during my elementary school years, I returned to the United States when my dad died. I attended and graduated from the Gary Job Corps Center.
“To get into the Electrical Power Generation year-long course in the Army, I barely passed the math entrance examination test with a 70.25 score. Those were the same grades in the math classes I took during this course. I am not ashamed to say that I had the lowest GPA in the whole class. However, I was very proud to earn that diploma. It took long hours to make it through this course.
“After studying on my own, I am a math teacher now. My journey started in 1970, Gary Job Corps instilling in me that I could do anything if I put my mind and determination to accomplish it, Thanks for My Job Corps Beginning.”
For further information concerning Gary Job Corps contact 800733-JOBS(5627), gary.jobcorps.gov
