Carson Brown Advances Career Through Gateway Youth Program

Carson Brown enrolled in the Gateway Youth Program in Ripley, Mississippi, after being introduced to a career coach by a family friend. At the time, he was unemployed and struggling to make progress toward earning his high school equivalency.

With guidance from his coach, Brown identified his career and educational goals. He recognized the importance of earning a paycheck while completing his HSE. In less than six weeks, he earned a Mississippi Smart Start Credential, a WorkKeys Silver Certification, and his high school equivalency while working part-time as a dietary aide at Tippah County Hospital.

Brown also completed the ACT and was accepted into the pre-nursing program at Northeast Mississippi Community College, scheduled to begin in spring 2026. He plans to enroll in the RN program at NEMCC in fall 2026 and aims to advance from dietary aide to nurse aide, continuing his ‘earn while you learn’ pathway.

The Mississippi Partnership Workforce Board and Three Rivers Planning & Development District, Inc., fund the WIOA Youth Gateway Program, which supports participants like Brown in workforce development efforts.

Source: Original Article