Jordan Kinney, 19, had dreams of becoming an electrician or construction worker, so he could help support his siblings and mom and work toward building his own family someday.
But last summer he was feeling stuck. The pandemic had made him feel disconnected from his peers and further away from opportunities.
“Last summer I wasn’t doing anything – I was at home every day and I didn’t have a social life,” he said.
He got a huge confidence boost in November 2023 after connecting with Career LaunchPad, a program through King County’s Children Youth and Young Adult Division. Career LaunchPad is an employment and education program, and is funded through the Best Starts for Kids Initiative. Career LaunchPad collaborates with community partners, schools, agencies, and employers to help young people build skills to set them on a path of long-term employment and success in the workplace.
Jordan enrolled in the High School Completion program at the Federal Way Truman Campus, where he is on track to earn his high school diploma in June. He enrolled with another goal in mind: to find a job – any job – so he could help support his brother, sister, and mom. At the time he was trying to apply to a food service position he was not excited about, but willing to do to bring home a paycheck.
But the social worker he was working with, Andrea Lopez, tried to understand better what Jordan’s goals were.
“The thing I love the most (about Career LaunchPad) is the support and the way they see your potential, what you’re good at, and what you’re interested in.”
Jordan told Andrea about his dream to become an electrician or construction worker. She shared that there was a maintenance work experience internship with the King County International Airport that could include job shadowing an electrician.
Jordan said he was skeptical, and didn’t think he would be hired for the position.
“I didn’t think it would be possible for me to get a job like this at the airport. I thought I would probably be working in fast food the rest of my life.”
So when he was offered the position he felt driven to succeed in the role.
“Jordan has to ride three buses for over (one and a half) hours each way to get to work, yet he has thanked me a million times for this opportunity,” Andrea said. “Our last maintenance intern got hired on permanently with the airport, and (the airport staff) hope Jordan might have the same opportunity one day.”
Through the internship, Jordan has been able to grow his skill sets, including getting a forklift certification. And because of the role, he became motivated to earn his driver’s license and recently obtained his learning permit.
But the experience goes beyond growing his skills. Through the internship he has expanded his network, connecting to another Career Launchpad student who is an intern at the airport, which has grounded in his role.
Jordan is also eager to support other young people in similar situations as him.
He connected with a younger friend and urged him to get involved with Career LaunchPad.
“I love when our students turn around and help somebody else,” Andrea said. “Jordan is doing that already for other people. That’s what this program is about.”
