Student Success Story: Laura
Finding Strength and Artistry Through JOG!
Building a future takes courage, especially when the foundation beneath you has changed more times than you can count. But with the right support and career readiness training, even the most challenging circumstances can become a stepping stone to success. For Laura, joining Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates (JOG) in Ashland County as an out-of-school participant was just the beginning of discovering her own strength and potential.
Laura came to the JOG program carrying experiences that would test anyone’s resilience. As a teenager, she lost both her grandmother and her mother, who were her two main sources of guidance and youth mentorship. These losses had her bouncing between homes and learn how to survive by her own experiences. Despite these hardships, Laura remained hopeful, flexible, humble, and connected to the arts. These qualities helped her through the hard times and have shone through in everything she does.
When her Workforce Development Specialist, Ryan, began working with her in November of 2025, Laura began meeting with him weekly for career coaching. This connection built a strong rapport and connected her with support from Ashland Catholic Charities and Ashland Job and Family Services. Laura’s journey through workforce development has strengthened partnerships across the Ashland community while also helping her move forward.
Recently, Laura took a major step by participating in a job interview with Ashland University. While the position wasn’t the right fit, she gained invaluable interview skills training and experience through resume building and professional communication practice. For someone who has faced such significant challenges, creating a resume, developing interview skills, and participating in a professional interview represents tremendous growth in job readiness! Laura is also preparing to compete in the JOG Career Development Conference this March, where she will showcase her artistic abilities in the Cover Design contest. Her talent and dedication are inspiring to everyone who works with her.
We are incredibly proud of Laura and all she has accomplished during her time with JOG Ashland. This youth achievement story proves that with the right career support services and determination, young adults can overcome adversity. We are grateful to work with Laura, and are excited to see what the future holds for this talented artist!
