Meet our Specialist of the Month winner for January, Claire Destrampe, a Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) out-of-school specialist from Michigan Works! Southeast. Claire has been a JMG specialist for nearly one year and has been making a huge impact in the lives of the youth she serves. We asked several questions so you can get to know Claire better:
What inspired you to become a JMG Specialist?
Since college, I have loved working with and helping young people. JMG provides me with unique opportunities that I can present to young people who may never be exposed to these ventures otherwise.
What motivates you most in your role?
What motivates me most in my role is the youth. Their drive to forge a career path and gain real world experiences motivates me to give them the best resources, advice and opportunities that I can. They make me a better specialist.
Can you share a favorite memory from your time as a specialist?
This year I was able to attend JMG Leadership Days with one of my youth. This was my first in-person JMG event. I wasn’t sure what to expect, if my youth would show up or if they would be engaged.
I was happily surprised to find my youth taking initiative to talk with other youth and actively speaking up about what he found important in a leader. It was great to see him be active and thrive in a calm and welcoming environment.
I also loved getting to meet other specialists from the same region. It was an excellent opportunity to see how they interacted and engaged with their youth and what I can do differently in my approach to engagement.
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing youth today, and how does JMG help address it?
I think one of the biggest challenges facing youth today is feeling a sense of tangible community. Through JMG’s course outline and events, youth are able to engage with one another and their specialists in a way that builds strong relationships and promotes a unique address to career planning and preparation.
What’s one of the greatest joys or highlights of your job?
Seeing my youth succeed and/or grow. Some of my greatest joys are from the relationships with my youth that have hit rough patches. To see them grow emotionally and professionally from such interactions makes me want to come to work every day.
Why do you think JMG is so important for today’s youth?
I think JMG is important because of the structure and community it provides youth. It’s another avenue besides school where youth can feel supported by adults that are invested in their future. There is no such thing as too much support!
What are your hobbies? Do you have any pets, or fun facts you’d like to share?
My hobbies are golfing, reading and camping (or more accurately, glamping). I am very close with my family and have 2 golden retrievers named Kramer & Gibson.
Fun fact:
I am getting married next October, so 2025 will be a busy and exciting year for me!
Nominations are open to ALL, including our employer partners! If you know a phenomenal specialist, we encourage you to nominate them as our February Specialist of the month.
Nominate a specialist who deserves to be recognized, here.
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