Carson Brown joined the Gateway Youth Program after being referred by a family friend. At the time, he was unemployed and struggling to make progress toward earning his high school equivalency (HSE), prompting him to seek additional support.
In the program, Brown worked with a career coach to set educational and career goals. He recognized the importance of earning both a paycheck and his HSE simultaneously.
Within six weeks, Brown earned a Mississippi Smart Start Credential, a WorkKeys Silver Certification, and his HSE. He was also working part-time as a dietary aide at Tippah County Hospital.
Brown completed the ACT and was accepted into the pre-nursing program at Northeast Mississippi Community College, with plans to start in spring 2026. He aims to enroll in the college’s RN program in fall 2026 and continue working at the hospital, aspiring to transition from a dietary aide to a nurse aide.
The Mississippi Partnership Workforce Board and Three Rivers Planning & Development District, Inc., fund the WIOA Youth Gateway Program, which supports students like Brown in their career development.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
