Jordy’s Journey To Discovering The Leader Within

Lighting a Spark for the Future

When first joining OneGoal as a high school junior, his early perception was, “this is just another class,” explained Jordy. “At first I thought, ‘what is this for?’ Graduation isn’t until years from now: I wasn’t thinking about the future at all.” But when Jordy’s Program Director, Karen Paskos-Baker, assigned an exercise for Jordy’s cohort to write letters to their future selves, something began snapping into place for him. “I still have the letter and it’s so interesting to read it now; I can tell this was maybe the first time I pictured what life could be like for me someday.”

After high school, Jordy went on to pursue two Bachelor of Science degrees, double majoring in Social Science and Science. The journey toward earning those degrees began with that letter, “but it was also falling in love with volunteering and learning that I could be a leader.” In Jordy’s junior year, he began volunteering for the Houston Humane Society, caring for animals and assisting in the adoption process. Jordy shared his love for volunteering with Ms. Paskos-Baker, who suggested Jordy organize an entire group experience at the Humane Society with his OneGoal cohort. “She saw a leader in me that I didn’t see myself, and it was this lightbulb moment that I could organize others to do something good for my community.”

Support from a Caring Mentor and Peers

“South Early High School is small,” said Karen Paskos-Baker, OneGoal Program Director, and US History Professor. “We didn’t even have a yearbook for a while and it was Jordy who decided that needed to change.” Karen saw how driven Jordy could be and how he become absorbed into following his passions, “there are so many examples, but Jordy forming the yearbook committee and opening membership to students from every class showed how mindful he is of other people, and how naturally hard working he is; publishing a yearbook is no small feat! And as a first-generation student, Jordy carried those qualities with him to earn his bachelor’s.”

As a 2019 graduate, Jordy’s first year of college ended with the start of the pandemic, “I was taking classes while working at Houston Methodist Hospital in the COVID unit.” For six months, Jordy worked 12 to 18 hour days, deciding to take a year off from school to work in the hospital. “It was the craziest time of my life and I just thought, I’m needed here and my degree will be waiting for me when I get back.” Jordy stayed in touch with Karen who encouraged Jordy to return when he was ready. “I had a scholarship and she explained how the funds would still be there for me when I re-enrolled, which was such a relief, and a big part of my decision to go back.” And Jordy did just that, finishing his degree in 2022.

Caring for Others and Planning Next Steps

Today, Jordy is working as a Clinical Research Coordinator for the Department of Urology at Houston Methodist Hospital, “with my education I could have gone into human resources, health care management, education counseling, or some other field,” said Jordy. But from his experience working at the hospital during the height of COVID, Jordy knew he wanted to stay in healthcare, “I am sort of a case manager now under a truly incredible Oncologist and team. People come to us confused and fearful, and I get to be part of helping them sort through the tough decisions and plan their path ahead. I really love my work.”