Career Coach Guides North Panola Students Toward Bright Futures

April Jackson helps students transition from high school to successful careers

It isn’t always a straight line from high school to college to career. While Mississippi’s educators help guide students toward earning their diplomas, career coaches are helping students find the right path after high school to achieve their academic and professional goals.

One of those career coaches is April Jackson, who returned to her alma mater, North Panola High School, to help students bridge the gap from high school to the future.

“I love getting to know students and helping them find their calling,” Jackson said. “I develop relationships, and in getting to know them, I realize that I know many of their parents. Being able to involve students and their parents in career conversations can be very helpful in the process.”

Career coaches have been deployed by AccelerateMS, established by the Legislature in 2020 as Mississippi’s lead workforce development office. Career coaches step in where the duties of traditional school counselors end, introducing students to a wide array of career paths that often are available in their own communities.

Jackson was hired as a career coach through the South Delta Planning and Development District and has been on the job at North Panola High School for two years.  

From reaching out to local businesses to find jobs and internships to helping students complete financial aid applications, Jackson does whatever it takes to help students graduate with a career plan in place. 

“A lot of students are interested in college but don’t know how they’ll pay for it,” she said. “I do a lot with Northwest Community College to get students interested in trade programs such as welding. They find out that if they learn an in-demand skill, they can earn a great living.”

Programs like the Delta Health Alliance offer certified nursing assistant and phlebotomy programs that allow students to earn certifications while they’re still in high school and enter the workforce as soon as they graduate.

Career fairs held each semester also have been effective in linking students with local employers and career paths. 

“We’ve had participation from real estate agents, spa owners, culinary arts professionals and even a mortician,” Jackson said. “If a student tells me what they’re interested in doing, I’ll find out more information for them. I also take students on tours of industries like Toyota and GE Aerospace.”

So far, Jackson has worked with nearly 200 students, primarily juniors and seniors. She says once students realize she’s there to help them, they feel free to knock on her door. As a career coach, Jackson has seen a switch flip in many students who are pursuing career-development opportunities.

“Two students completed a training program to receive their commercial driver’s licenses,” she said. “Several of my rising juniors have summer internships at Ole Miss, where they’ll live in residence halls, eat in the cafeteria and experience college life. And one sophomore has her mind set on attending Howard University. I’m doing all I can to prepare her for that step.

“I tell my students that I wish I had a ‘me’ when I was in high school,” Jackson said. “It feels good to be back home helping students and their parents find the path toward a brighter future.”

AccelerateMS serves the people and businesses of Mississippi by developing and deploying workforce strategies to connect individuals with transformative, high-paying careers. By leveraging resources and partnering with organizations that hold complementary missions, AccelerateMS effectuates positive change, creating sustained individual, community, and statewide economic prosperity. 

Learn more at www.coaches.acceleratems.org/.