Orman Positions Students for Workforce Success as Oxford High Career Coach

“Everybody is finally figuring out what career coaches do and how we can help.”

Serving as an AccelerateMS career coach at Oxford High School has been an eye-opening experience for Heather Orman, who has discovered a world of workforce opportunities in Mississippi that are available to today’s graduates.

“This job has taught me that college is not the correct path for a lot of students, and there are great career opportunities out there that don’t require a four-year degree,” Orman said. “You can have a successful career making good money by choosing to go straight into the workforce after graduation.”

Orman is one of 176 career coaches working in school districts across Mississippi as part of a strategy launched by AccelerateMS, the state’s lead workforce development office. Their goal is making sure high school graduates have a career plan in place, whether it’s continuing their education, entering the workforce, enlisting in the military, or a combination of options.

There are a variety of tools that help students identify college and career pathways, such as major clarity surveys and interest inventories. Oxford High School students also have the option to earn associate degrees from Northwest Mississippi Community College along with their high school diplomas.

Orman and fellow OHS career coach Neoykee Wadley are responsible for nearly 1,400 students in grades 9-12. Not long after starting their new roles in October 2022, they decided to extend their career-outreach activities to approximately 300 eighth graders in the district.

“We see advantages in reaching students earlier than their junior and senior years,” Orman said. “By allowing eighth graders to complete interest inventories, we can include those who have career interests to join field trips and other activities. By the time they reach high school, they’ll be better prepared to make decisions about their future and the courses they need to take.”

In addition to their work with students, career coaches build relationships with employers and create opportunities for business and industry representatives to engage directly with students. Through internships and job shadowing, students are learning about career paths in the community and steps required to achieve their post-graduation goals.

“Industries here are very involved and very receptive to helping students gain workplace experience,” Orman said. “Students are interning at Oxford Ortho & Sports Medicine and with the Oxford School District’s IT department. The district also is letting students help and observe in classrooms, and students do a lot of job shadowing at Baptist Memorial Hospital.”

Paid internship programs are supported by grants from the Oxford School District’s Community and Workforce Development office and Three Rivers Planning and Development District.

For students who want to continue their education, career coaches raise awareness about scholarship opportunities and help them complete financial aid and college applications, which can be a daunting process for many. Orman recalled the story of a fall semester graduate who wanted to enroll in a community college to study graphic design just weeks before the spring semester began.

“It was a big task, getting his transcript and paperwork together so he could start college in January,” she said. “The process can be overwhelming and can turn some students away. He’s in college because we pushed him and helped him get everything in order to make it happen. He’s doing well in his studies and also has a side business. It’s taken some time, but everybody is finally figuring out what career coaches do and how we can help.”

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/.