Dakota Clark accomplishes goals thanks to help from Choctaw Career Development

Tribal member Dakota Clark of Poteau, Oklahoma, transformed his life after working with Choctaw Nation’s Career Development Program.

He utilized the tools and various services offered by the program to fulfill his professional and personal goals.

Dakota is a motor vehicle operator (MVO) employed by Louis V. Lepak Trucking company delivering for the United States Postal Service (USPS).

With the help of Career Development and his supportive family, Dakota obtained his Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL) and executed each goal he set out to achieve.

Before graduating from truck driving school, Dakota worked as a carpentry specialist.

When asked why he decided to change careers, Dakota said he wanted to challenge himself.

Dakota felt he had mastered his craft in carpentry and decided to step out of his comfort zone and explore other career avenues.

This decision led him to reach out to Career Development to learn about the assistance provided by Choctaw Nation and embark on obtaining his CDL.

Dakota began working with Career Counselor Cynthia Martin to develop a plan to advance his career. He decided on Kiamichi Technology Center in Poteau, Oklahoma, where he would attend classes for the next five and a half weeks.

In 2022, Kiamichi Tech partnered with Central Technology Center of Drumright, Oklahoma, to offer Truck Driver’s Training for the very first time.

According to KTC.edu, students enrolled in the program have access to a wide variety of training, including quality classroom instruction, Virage Simulation, range and road driving and practical application of skills used in highway driving.

Dakota said completing the training was “a challenging time, but worth it,” as he had to dedicate himself to the program Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Thankfully, he had a great support system rallying behind him during this journey.

“My mom is the most supportive and loving mom you could ask for. It is such a blessing having my family by my side, supporting me in anything and everything I choose to do,” said Dakota. “I would not have it any other way.”

Due to the training schedule, Dakota could not work throughout the program’s duration.

He worked to save money before enrolling in the program to ensure he was financially prepared to go nearly six weeks without pay. Nevertheless, his hard work paid off, and Dakota was proudly a part of the first graduating class of Kiamichi Tech’s Truck Driver Training.

After graduation, Dakota was hired as an MVO for Louis V. Lepak Trucking Company, delivering packages and mail for USPS.

In Dakota’s new position, he travels many miles to complete his designated daily route.

His route includes traveling from Poteau to Idabel, then to Sallisaw and Tulsa and returning to Poteau to end his day.

Traveling that much in a single day might be unappealing to some, but not Dakota.

“I actually enjoy going to work now,” he said.

Dakota said the Career Development Program helped him change his life and find his passion.

“The Career Development Program is very helpful and made the process easier. They want to help you further your career and give you more opportunities,” said Dakota. “The program has been so helpful in working towards my goals and has enabled me to succeed and excel in anything I choose to pursue.”

Dakota has not only seen an improvement in his yearly income and expanded his opportunity for future endeavors, he has also proved that he can reach goals he did not once think were achievable.

“I never thought I would be driving semi-trucks,” he said.

Dakota expressed that his success would not have been possible without the assistance of his Career Counselor, Cynthia Martin and the Career Development team.

Cynthia was happy to comment on Dakota’s achievements.

“Dakota was very eager to complete his CDL program, and I could tell when he set his mind to it that he would complete training and be successful,” Cynthia said.  “I am very honored to witness his accomplishments.”

Dakota hopes to use the tools he learned while working with Career Development to progress in his career.

After spending time in his current role with the company and learning more about the organization, he plans to work his way up to a succession planning specialist.

In this role, his duties will include implementing, developing and maintaining organizational programs and policies. Choctaw Nation’s Career Development Program provided Dakota with the skills he needed to be successful in the workforce and instilled confidence in his abilities to challenge himself by stepping out of his comfort zone and continuing to reach goals in his profession.

Visit the Kiamichi Technology Center website for truck driving training and other programs.

To learn more, visit the Career Development webpage and eligibility requirements.