AGE: 18
CAREER PATH: Information Technology (I.T.)
Kendall joined YJC three years ago as a high school student looking for a part-time job. Today, he’s an experienced JavaScript coder heading for a career in I.T.
Kendall started off in YJC’s T.W.O. program, learning about different job interview styles, the ins and outs of retail work, and how to conduct himself in a professional setting. As a result, he landed a retail position at his local Old Navy, which gave him real-world working experience and a strong start to his resume.
However, Kendall’s longtime interest was computers, and his discussions with the team at YJC helped him realize that he could turn that interest into a career. He found a specific field of I.T. that felt like an exciting fit—cybersecurity—and enrolled in YJC’s eight-week coding program.
Kendall excelled in the program, grasping the material quickly and talking his peers through the trickier coding equations. By the end of the course, Kendall had built a fully functional e-commerce app and earned a certificate in computer programming language JavaScript. Now, he's at Eastern Illinois University pursuing an I.T. degree and working to build a career in the field.
Another thing Kendall is doing? Giving back! He's been onboarded as a YJC volunteer and will be offering one-on-one tutoring twice a week to clients in the next I.T. program cohort. This gives Kendall the opportunity to support other young people, keep his own coding skills sharp, and add formal I.T. experience to his resume.
Bravo, Kendall—way to pursue your passion, put your skills to good use, and pay it forward at the same time!
Plus: Kendall also enrolled in YJC’s savings match program, which included one-on-one sessions with a financial coach. These conversations introduced him to the world of stock-trading and investment strategy, which quickly became a new passion for Kendall. He’s now significantly bolstered his savings thanks to his new investment accounts.
