Lily Nguyen candidly admits that her life was headed in the wrong direction. Born and raised in Oakland, California, she never dreamed of becoming a garbage truck driver when she was kicked out of high school for bad grades and truancy. According to herself, she was “up to shenanigans” before enrolling in the Civicorps program, a youth development initiative with a mission to re-engage young adults to earn their diplomas, gain job skills, pursue college degrees, and commence successful careers.

Nguyen had spent several years bouncing around and failing to focus on education until she decided to give Civicorps a try. A friend told her about the program, giving the push she needed to get started. The initiative, she thought, sounded different than any other educational institution she had encountered.

Transforming Lives and Landscapes

The program originated from the City of Oakland and WM’s trash and organics hauling contract. It brought Civicorps and WM together to train disadvantaged youth from Oakland and neighboring communities in the East Bay to become professional drivers and Teamsters at WM’s hauling district in Oakland. It has changed the lives of over a half-dozen students, including Nguyen.

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I am doing this to provide a better life for my son and because I am still excited to be a driver.

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She recently graduated and is now a full-time Teamster driving for WM, saving money for a house, and loving her life. “This was a great opportunity for me,” Nguyen, 30, said. “I wanted to try to make a better life, and I am doing that.”

At any given time, at least two graduates from the Civicorp job training program work as apprentices for WM. The apprenticeship stretches for two years, and if all goes well, those young workers are offered full-time positions as drivers and become fully-fledged members of the Teamsters. “Surprisingly, I really excelled,” Nguyen said. “It just seemed easier than high school, and I liked all the things we were doing.”

A Life-Changing Opportunity

According to Jacob Buckley, a route manager at WM of Alameda County and supervisor of the Civicorps apprentices, Nguyen is making great strides toward success. She has performed exceptionally well both in the apprentice program and at WM. “She is now a WM employee and a Teamster, and that is not by mistake,” Buckley said. “She’s a fantastic driver and employee.”

Nguyen is motivated by her seven-year-old son and by the many women who shout words of encouragement when she drives by in her truck. “This really doesn’t feel like work; it’s truly a career. I am doing this to provide a better life for my son and because I am still excited to be a driver.” Like many WM employees, Nguyen said she hopes to keep working at the company until she retires. One thing is sure, no matter which path she chooses next, she will always find within WM an environment to grow.

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