Olive Branch Career Coach Understands Importance of Economic Development

Hopper connects high school students with rewarding futures in Mississippi

In her job as an AccelerateMS career coach at Center Hill High School in Olive Branch, Varina Hopper makes a point to know the needs of local businesses and industries.

“I have an economic development background and understand that what we do ties directly into the success of this area,” Hopper said. “When I understand what’s happening regionally, I’m better able to connect students with employers and promising career paths in our community.”

Over the past year, AccelerateMS has deployed nearly 200 career coaches into high schools across Mississippi. As the state’s lead workforce development agency, AccelerateMS supports strategies to connect Mississippians with transformative, high-paying careers.

Hopper is a resource for all students at Center Hill, with a special focus on 250 seniors. Hopper works one-on-one with students to help them find a career path that matches their goals and interests and plan their next steps after high school and beyond.

“I work daily to expose students to different career opportunities and show them ways to achieve their career goals,” Hopper said. “Many don’t realize the opportunities offered by community colleges and assistance programs that can make college more affordable. We’re so fortunate in Mississippi to have one of the largest community college programs in the state.”

Hopper uses a variety of resources to help students, including MSpathfinder.org, which features job profiles and training information; and Get2College.org, which offers webinars, quizzes, and other strategies to help students prepare for the ACT.

“The career route students can take depends on their ACT score, and fortunately, we have free resources available to help them work towards a high score,” she said. “Students always want to know how much money they will make. I ask them their goal for the next three to five years, then we talk about what it will take to get there. I help them think beyond what happens after high school.”

Internship programs with Connect DeSoto and Three Rivers Planning & Development District also help expose Center Hill students to career possibilities.

“I had three juniors who started interning in June, and they each committed to working 100 hours at $10 an hour,” she said. “One student worked in a hospital and saw babies being born, and now she wants to be a labor and delivery nurse.”

Hopper and her family are familiar faces at Center Hill High School. Before her coaching job, she worked with band students as a color guard director for many years. Her husband teaches and serves as a band director at Center Hill, and her daughter is a student.

“I’ve always loved working with young people,” Hopper said. “I love seeing students light up when they realize the possibilities for their future, and Mississippi has so much to offer in the way of exciting careers and quality of life. Getting students interested in job opportunities here will only make this area stronger in the 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/.