Video: EMCC’s C2C Program Helping Young Adults

[bitsontherun 744fn42q]

MAYHEW, Miss. (WCBI)- Johnny Baucom is paving his way at EMCC. He got his big break when a friend told him about a career program for young adults.

“I was looking for a job. She gave me this thing about coming to EMCC. I came C2C and I took home a lot of life lessons from that program,” said Baucom.

C2C or Counseling to Career, helps motivate students and prepare them for the working world.

Sha’Carla Petty works with the program.

“We train young people 18 to 21 from Clay, Lowndes, Noxubee Counties and we train them for 4 weeks on employee ability skills,” said Petty.

Petty, along with two other main coordinators, teach students about communication skills, money management and resume writing. Once they complete their 4 weeks, students can then move on to paid internships.

“They work with some organization in the area for 270 hours and they get paid minimum wage for doing so. So they’re showcasing the skills they have learned for the 4 weeks and then they use them on the job,” said Petty.

Thomas Brown, 21, is currently taking classes in the C2C program.

“It was hard for me to find a job and trying to go to school at the same time. So my mentor, he told me about the C2C program and they got me enrolled in the program and I like it,” said Brown.

Brown believes it’s because of the program that he found the courage to speak up to dozens of employers at MUW’s Job Fair Wednesday.

“It helped me not to be nervous to talk to people and get my name out there. You can be yourself, but present yourself in an appropriate manner,” said Brown.

“Some have lived in households where maybe no one went to school, so even just taking this program and getting the sight of the building and the school, they see that it’s an opportunity for them,” said Petty.

Johnny’s not only moved on from C2C, but is also setting his bars high. He’s now enrolled in manufacturing classes and looking towards a brighter future.

“I’m interested in going to the Air Force and becoming an aircraft mechanic, then after that I plan to go into the aviation industry and hopefully start in manufacturing. But I don’t want to say there, I want to be able to climb up that ladder,” said Baucom.

The classes are Monday-Thursday from 8:30am-3:00pm. Officials say they are always looking for interested students. For more information, please contact:

Sha’Carla Petty (662) 243-1930

Chrystal Newman (662) 243-1941

Jackie Savage (662) 243-2686