Her Story
About Jamesha
I have been working in education since 2021, and my main focus is helping high school students figure out their post-secondary preparation and plans. Whether that's college, trade school, military, or going directly into the workforce, I give them exposure to different avenues that could best fit what they would like to do in the future. A typical day for me looks like sitting down with a student and asking them where they see themselves in 5 or 10 years, what their interests are, and how they want to get there. I try to get a really good background of my student to see what it is they want to do and how I can help them get there. Then I dive in to show them their options and what each path looks like. Outside of our conversations, I take them on actual college tours, work tours, and trade tours. We go to different places so they can actually see the job and picture themselves in that role. Then we put it all together, and I devise them with a very strategic plan that they can stick to in order to help them get to that next goal. This year, I was able to accomplish 17 college and career tours for my students within this one school year, exposing over 200 students to 17 different career avenues that a lot of them have never been exposed to before. I did that without the help of any type of grant or funding - I just did it.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jamesha
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say, honestly, my parents - they have been a supporter of any and everything that I've ever done, and I've tried a lot of things. So I would definitely say my parents, and honestly, God. I'm very faith-based, so I would say my parents and just my relationship with God, and keeping the faith, and just going through things without giving up and trying to see the things on the other side.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I think the best career advice that I was ever told was to never stop believing in myself. There's a lot of obstacles that you go through within your life, and it can be very discouraging, especially when you're younger. And I think the best thing anyone told me was just to keep going. You have to keep going, you have to get over hurdles so you can get to the other side of things. And I know that there's so much going on in the world, so if I could give anybody that advice, I would tell them to keep going. If you believe in it, keep going.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say education is a very fulfilling job, but it can also be demanding, and it can test your morals and your ethical values. I would tell young women, if you believe in education, and that is what you want to be in, do not let anybody bring you from that. Because children need us. Women are needed in education, and I would keep going in education. I'm very big on education.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think the biggest challenge is trying to meet the needs of everyone. That is almost impossible - it's impossible for me to help everyone. It's a challenge to try to break barriers of getting into different communities, getting to different spaces that don't necessarily have those resources. So it is my goal to break those barriers and help any child and family that needs help to get to that next level.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I think I really value honesty and transparency when it comes to my professional life. I try to keep it very black and white with my students so they can get the best advantage to make the best decisions for themselves. And just commitment and staying true to yourself. I definitely value that, and not bending or breaking to get ahead.
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