Hundreds of high school students took their first steps toward career success Wednesday during a hands-on symposium focused on entrepreneurship and workforce readiness.
Organized by the United Community Alliance, the 2025 Youth Entrepreneurship and Employability Skills Symposium brought together juniors and seniors from Madison and Hinds counties at the Midtown Learning Center. The event featured business leaders and educators sharing practical advice on launching careers and building businesses.
“Schools often don’t teach this information, and many people keep it to themselves,” explained workshop leader Marcus Thomas, a local real estate developer. Thomas detailed his journey to business ownership, emphasizing the importance of financial literacy and credit building.
Students rotated through workshops on topics ranging from work ethic and resume writing to managing finances and establishing credit. For Eastwood High School senior Alexis Johnson, the event was a chance to network and gain real-world knowledge. “I met Mr. Thomas, who talked to me about real estate, which I’m really interested in. He even offered to help me after I graduate,” Johnson shared.
Another participant, Central High School senior Jordan Bailey, plans to pursue a career in law and found the sessions invaluable. “A lot of us don’t know what life is really like after graduation. This event gave us tips and a head start for whatever we want to do,” Bailey said.
According to Simone Carter, Economic Mobility Coordinator for United Community Alliance, the symposium addressed the realities of the modern job market. “So many young people work independently in the gig economy. We want to prepare them for both entrepreneurship and traditional employment—teaching skills like resume building and interviewing,” Carter stated.
Organizers say more than 200 Jackson-area students left the event with practical tools and connections to jumpstart their careers.
