Meet Steffon Taylor

Before joining The Corps in 2022, Steffon was working at a gas station, feeling uncertain about his future and searching for something more meaningful. Looking for better pay, stable benefits, and a career path, he found the San Jose Conservation Corps. Steffon didn’t just go through our job training program; he immersed himself in the experience and maximized his corpsmember journey. He earned his high school diploma through our Charter School, stepped up as a leader as part of the Corpsmember Council, and mastered field skills like operating chainsaws and polesaws.

“Going through the Corps helped me get where I am today,” Steffon shares. “I found something I can be passionate about, and I enjoy coming to work every day.” That passion came from the opportunity to work with The City of San Jose while he was a corpsmember. During his year at the Corps, he transitioned into a 6-month internship with the city, then was hired on as a part-time worker for a year, and has been working as a full-time City employee for the past year.

With his new job and position, he has successfully secured great benefits, financial stability, and a career path just like he was looking for. Today, Steffon continues to advance in his career. He is actively volunteering for new experiences with the City of San José, with a long-term goal of earning a pension and eventually working as a Project Manager in City Hall. Steffon is an example of that if you put in the time and effort, the Corps helps prepare you to thrive anywhere.