The State of Mississippi has been fighting against a workforce shortage, with only 49 available workers for every 100 open job positions. By 2030, Mississippi will need more than 100,000 qualified workers to meet the demands of growing industries, such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and construction. In addition to the workforce shortage, Mississippi also has a responsibility to prepare K-12 students to enter the workforce. During the 2020-2021 academic year, Mississippi’s student-to-counselor ratio was 398-to-1. The American School Counselor Association recommends a student–to–counselor ratio of no more than 250 students for every school counselor. These numbers reflect that not all students are having quality college and career conversations with their guidance counselors, limiting students’ futures and the future workforce of Mississippi. Recognizing these shortfalls, and the associated negative economic impact, the State of Mississippi has reevaluated how workforce development functions throughout the State.  

Recognizing the strengths, challenges, and needs across the state, Mississippi partnered with the State’s workforce agency, Accelerate Mississippi (AccelerateMS), and introduced the AccelerateMS Career Coach Program. AccelreateMS was granted $8 million in 2022 through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). AccelerateMS used this funding to offer grants to Planning and Development Districts across the state. Three Rivers Planning & Development District was able to use the money it received through this program to hire 70 career coach to be placed in 67 schools with the Mississippi Partnership Workforce Region.   

Through this program, our career coaches are able to prepare the future workforce of Mississippi, fostering economic resilience across the state. Career coaches are able to go beyond the role of a traditional guidance counselor. Though they are embedded in the schools they are not school district employees. This allows the career coaches to focus on connected students with career opportunities that go unrecognized.

Many believe that a college degree is the only way for a student to obtain career success. This outlook actually limits student success and access to different career options. Across the nation, one year after graduation, 52% of college graduates are underemployed and 45% continue to be underemployed a decade after graduation. Our career coaches are changing this narrative by helping students identify in-demand and high-paying career options that align with their goals, interests, and aptitudes. As part of this program career coaches foster relationships with local employers and industries as well as colleges and universities to provide students with a wide array of opportunities. Career coaches work with students on a one-on-one basis to develop a career pathway, discover job shadowing and internship opportunities, and help each student navigate the transition from high school to either post-secondary education, the military, or the workforce.

As part of the career coach program, Three Rivers Planning & Development District implemented the EPIC Work Experience Program, which extends learning beyond the classroom by providing students with a 100-hour paid internship within the field the student plans to pursue after graduation. This program connects students with potential employers and allows them to gain firsthand experience in their chosen career path. Many of the students in the Mississippi Partnership Workforce Region live in poverty with limited support outside of school. The career coach program provides students support, encouragement, and opportunities.

The career coach program is supporting the State’s efforts in building a world-class workforce and fostering statewide economic prosperity and is breaking cycles of poverty that have been perpetuated through generations of Mississippians.

As of 2024, in partnership with AccelerateMS, Three Rivers Planning & Development District has increased to 78 career coaches, located within 72 high schools in 40 school districts throughout our region. Our career coaches allow students to be exposed, prepared, and connected to career avenues within and beyond the typical classroom setting. Through this investment in career coaches Mississippi is supporting a quality statewide workforce development pipeline by encouraging students to identify the academic and technical programs that align with their skills and future goals. Through this investment, Three Rivers Planning & Development District is able to positively impact young Mississippians and support the state’s efforts to foster a high-quality workforce pipeline.