Weaver’s Career Coaching Makes a Difference at Starkville High School

Mississippi’ strategy puts students on the path to rewarding futures

As a member of AccelerateMS’s statewide team of career coaches, Nakesha Weaver is helping career and technical education students at Starkville High School find their place in the workforce of the future.

“I enjoy working with the younger generation and making sure they have a chance to be successful,” Weaver said. “It’s been an eye opener helping students fill out college applications and apply for scholarships—things they never thought they would be doing. Taking those steps changes their whole mindset.”

Weaver was one of more than 100 AccelerateMS career coaches deployed last year into high schools across Mississippi. AccelerateMS develops workforce strategies to connect Mississippians with transformative, high-paying careers and expanded the coaching program this year with funding from the State Legislature.

The Millsaps Career and Technology Center at SHS offers 17 four-year programs that allow students to earn CTE diploma endorsements. Programs are grouped under three Academic Houses: Technology, Engineering and Construction; Health and Human Services; and Communication, Arts and Business.

Weaver and fellow career coach Quantella Harris focus on helping seniors identify goals for the future and develop a plan to achieve them—whether it’s entering the workforce after graduation, continuing their education, enlisting in the military, or a combination of options.

“We have 303 seniors, and they’ve been very motivated,” Weaver said. “Close to 100 have already applied for college, and several have enlisted in the military and completed boot camp.”

Weaver and Harris also build relationships with community employers and help connect students with after-school jobs and job shadowing and internship opportunities with area businesses, including, Plum Environmental Services, and Yokohama Tire Manufacturing.

While group activities such as field trips and career fairs are important, it’s individualized attention provided by career coaches that can lead to groundbreaking outcomes. Weaver recounted the story of a student who was thinking about dropping out when they met.

“Her teacher reached out and asked me to speak with her,” Weaver said. “The student was having trouble with math. I told her that if she met with me twice a week, she would make it out of high school. Not only did she stay in school, she became the first person in her family to graduate from high school, and she received a scholarship to attend community college.”

A native of Crawford in Lowndes County, Weaver began her career as a preschool teacher before becoming a social worker, a profession that has given her insights into family dynamics and the challenges facing many young people.

“I come from a small town, and the only thing I was told when I graduated was to get a job,” she said. “Nobody ever told me what to do with my life, but I knew what career path I wanted to take. Based on my experiences, I feel I can help young people be successful with their lives.”

Weaver also is gaining insights into student experiences through her son, who’s studying building construction and carpentry at SHS. Her exposure to the program as a career coach and a parent have deepened her appreciation for the value of CTE.

“I love CTE now, and I encourage all students to take CTE because it teaches our students the basics for entering the workforce or college,” she said. “The most rewarding part is seeing the excitement in students’ eyes on graduation day and knowing they have a great future to look forward to. All students have an opportunity to do well after high school, and career coaches are making sure that happens.”

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/.