Beyond the Classroom: One Student Describes How Distance Learning Opened Doors at Work
It’s been a journey, but it has also been something I would do all over again the same way.
Yearrell Clinkscale
With only the math test left to get his GED® credential, Yearrell Clinkscale is rounding that last stretch of a very important journey in his life. While he has been through many ups and downs to get to this point, he is firm that he wouldn’t change a thing to hold his high school diploma in his hand.
Clinkscale decided at a young age that his story wasn’t over. Statistics might have suggested a very different ending for this kid from Detroit who was homeless at 15. But he realized he had options. Doing whatever it took to survive, all he knew was hard work. From his first $5 per hour job at McDonald’s to landing a position at PepsiCo Frito-Lay without any degrees, he has relied on his work ethic to see him through.
Clinkscale realized that he wanted something different in his future. Major life changes helped him think about what really matters. Clinkscale said, “I felt like I was missing my high school diploma.”
Looking at different programs, he came across ProLiteracy’s New Readers Press Distance Learning program: a flexible solution to upskill today’s workforce. Clinkscale credits much of his growth in the past few years to everything New Readers Press put in his life. Beyond the education he is receiving, the people who are supporting his journey have left a lasting impact.
“My program coordinators really actually care. It goes beyond just classwork. They have changed every part of my life,” said Clinkscale.
As validated by Clinkscale, programs like GED® and HiSET® Test Preparation help students not only get their education but understand the value of having a skillset. He soon learned that he had a gift for speaking and teaching others. His support system helped him articulate his skillset in the workplace. Now, as the Regional Expert Trainer, he is in management traveling to different PepsiCo Frito-Lay sites in North America to help teams build a hiring and onboarding framework.
Clinkscale notes, “It’s been a journey, but it has also been something I would do all over again the same way.” He has gained mental toughness and confidence that he can carry with him throughout his life.
The most recent PIAAC Survey of Adult Skills, released in December 2024, show that 28% of American adults have low literacy skills, which limits job opportunities, financial wealth, and being able to fully participate in society. ProLiteracy’s New Readers Press Distance Learning program supports employers with the right resources to meet employees where they are to break a cycle of low literacy and open the door to greater opportunities.
“Education has been more than just books, numbers, As and Bs, or any grades. It’s more of the discipline to get up and go to school or study. The program and the people have changed my life.”
It’s been a journey, but it has also been something I would do all over again the same way.
Yearrell Clinkscale