Profile

San Diego Job Corps Center (SDJCC) provides free career training and education for ages 16–24. Job Corps services can be accessed at several locations around San Diego County, including our East County Career Center. We spoke with their regional Workforce Development Director, Sara Kende, to learn more about how the SDJCC is helping young adults thrive in the workforce.

Jeniffer Mendiola has had a passion for working with her hands from an early age, influenced by her uncles working in construction. The passion is made clear when looking at her work history, which reflects a pattern of physical if not mobile elements; from emergency medical technician (EMT) to welding and driving for Uber, her career journey took her through various career paths and industries. It was when she received an email from San Diego Continuing Education that she was able to find her way to becoming a certified electrician by way of the San Diego Workforce Partnership’s Construction Career Jumpstart (CCJ) program.

Georgina is a program specialist on our population-specific team. We asked her what she likes about workforce development, her favorite program and how she enjoys spending her time off.

The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) provides services and advocates for individuals with disabilities to achieve equitable employment and independent living. We support the DOR in implementing workforce development programs for San Diegans living with disabilities. DOR representatives can be found at five of our six career centers located around San Diego County.

Having spent three decades as a small business owner, managing two salons in Encinitas and downtown San Diego, life threw a curveball at Teresa Koecher. In 2014, she faced a life-altering accident, leaving her physically incapable of working in the same capacity as before and starting her life anew. With the help of friends and her church community, she could pick herself up and change course.

From the moment they come into foster care and through to adulthood, Promises2Kids provides the hope, support, and opportunities these individuals need to change their lives for the better with their programs Camp Connect, Guardian Scholars, Foster Funds and the A.B. and Jessie Polinsky Children’s Center.

In 2018, after spending 20 years raising her daughters as a stay-at-home mom, Shellie Baxter created Our Genetic Legacy (OGL), a nonprofit educational publishing house focusing on amplifying the voices and stories of People of Color. Shellie used our TechHire program to provide paid work experiences for young female data analysts and drone pilots.

Frank is a workforce development director, helping oversee our six career centers. We asked him about his experience working in workforce development and what he enjoys doing during his time off.

Jose Tamayo is a 23-year-old from National City who has had an eventful journey to finding his passion and career path. Knowing that college wasn’t the right fit for him, Jose decided to explore other opportunities. He participated in the Ocean Discovery Institute as an AmeriCorps intern and later landed an internship through the San Diego Workforce Partnerships.

The East County Economic Development Council (ECEDC) is a business non-profit working to expand existing business and promote new economic opportunities to create a prosperous economic environment through innovative projects, purpose-driven collaboration and assertive promotion.