ABOUT:
The Jones County Career Coaching program began in 2022 when the EDA of Jones County was awarded a grant from AccelerateMS. In this inaugural year, the EDA hired two career coaches, each of whom had split their time between two of the four public schools in Jones County. Since then, the program has grown to add a third coach and hopes to add a fourth so one individual may serve each school.
PURPOSE:
The Jones County Career Coaching Program aims to provide students with career insight, resources, and opportunities (primarily Seniors and Juniors). The program’s main objectives are as follows:
- Increase awareness of local industry opportunities
- Help students align their interests and skills when selecting a career path
- Prepare students for entering the workforce (must have a plan to “enroll, enlist, or employ”)
- Provide on-campus professional development activities/workshops
- Increase connections between community members/industry leaders and students
- Job shadows
- Events at the school
- Field trips
- Guest speakers
- Develop soft skills to increase employability among students
- Create a workforce pipeline to benefit local industries/employers
Program Statistics:
Success Stories:
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7207025763110338561
Career Coach Contact Info:
- West Jones High School
- Collyn Leggett | collynl@edajones.com | 601-498-0819
- Laurel High School
- Chataura Sanders | chatauras@edajones.com | 601-498-0707
- Northeast Jones and South Jones High School
- Kalyn Patterson | kalynp@edajones.com | 601-325-8192
Become An Industry Partner:
If you have a company that would like to learn more about partnering with the Career Coach Program, please fill out the form below.
Economic Development Authority of Jones County
Career Coaching Program
Helping Jones County students connect classroom learning with local career pathways, workforce expectations, and the people building opportunity here at home.
Upcoming Event
Kickoff Your Career returns August 26.
Local businesses and industry partners are invited to help students practice mock interviews, build confidence, and learn the soft skills that matter in the workplace.
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
8:30-11:30 a.m. at Life Church in Laurel.
Vendors may arrive at 8:00 a.m.; students arrive at 8:30 a.m. before moving into mock interviews around 9:00 a.m.
Register Today
About The Program
Connecting students to the careers growing in Jones County.
The Jones County Career Coaching Program began in 2022 when the Economic Development Authority of Jones County was awarded a grant from AccelerateMS.
The program serves all four public high schools in Jones County with career coaching support.
Program Purpose
Students leave with a plan to enroll, enlist, or employ.
The program gives primarily juniors and seniors career insight, practical resources, and direct exposure to the employers and opportunities around them.
Career Awareness
Increase student awareness of local industry opportunities and the career paths available in Jones County.
Career Fit
Help students align their interests, skills, and goals when selecting a career path after graduation.
Workforce Readiness
Prepare students for next steps through on-campus professional development activities and workshops.
Industry Connection
Build connections through job shadows, school events, field trips, guest speakers, and employer partnerships.
Workforce Pipeline
Soft skills, career confidence, and stronger local employer connections.
Career coaches help students develop employability skills while creating a stronger workforce pipeline for local industries and employers.
Career Coach Contact Info
Connect with the career coach for your school.
Career coaches work with students, schools, and employers to build stronger connections between classroom learning and local career opportunities.
Become An Industry Partner
Help students see real career possibilities in Jones County.
If your company would like to learn more about partnering with the Career Coaching Program, complete the partnership form and a member of the team will follow up.
Partnership FormSuccess Stories
See the program in action.
Follow along with student, employer, and school partner highlights from the Jones County Career Coaching Program.