Unemployment
Everyone goes through periods of unemployment in their lives, both purposefully and not. This page will address navigating unemployment benefits. If you need resources for housing stability (such as help with bills and food), go to the housing stability resources page. If you are looking for a job, continue to go through the resources on this page.
Applying for Unemployment Benefits
If you live in Mississippi, you will apply for unemployment benefits through the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. Their website will walk you through the steps to apply and what documents you will need to apply.
To visit the Mississippi Department of Employment Security website, where you can apply for unemployment benefits, click this button!
Not in Mississippi? Your state will have a very similar service available to you. Search “<Your State> Unemployment Benefits” to find your state’s government agency dealing with unemployment. Or, Visit the US Department of Labor Unemployment Insurance search tool to find you state’s office.
The MDES has also put together a helpful guide about dealing with unemployment that includes resources and things to think about. You can find it on their website along with other resources for you, or you can download it right here.
Searching for a job?
Here are some resources to help you.
Job Search Tips
MDES
MDES put together a list of job searching tips as well, including interview tips, resume tips, and a resource library.
Indeed
Indeed put together a list of tips and resources for your job search, including a video on how to write a cover letter.
US Department of Labor
The US Department of Labor has job search and interview tips. Click below to see them.
The Library
Your public library may have helpful job hunting tools and resources. They also have access to computers and technology you can use to apply for jobs, create resumes, and more.
What job is right for you?
If you are stuck trying to figure out what you want to do or what you would be good at doing. careeronestop.org has tools to help you. Click below for their tools for career exploration.
Resume Development
This page will discuss a variety of ways to improve your resume. It will go over resume formatting, ways to show off skills you already have, and things you can do to add to your resume. There are free resources that will help you improve your resume all around!
How to talk yourself up
You probably already have a lot of skills and abilities that employers are looking for! But sometimes, it’s hard to add them to your resume if they are just things you’ve learned through life experience. Here are some tips for how to add those skills to your resume.
- Think about things you do on a regular basis that require skill:
- For example: taking care of kids requires patience, time management, emotional management
- Another example: managing a household requires a lot of skill, if you manage a household you may have skills such as being an independent worker, adaptability, the ability to balance many tasks at once
- Think about any jobs you do (including unpaid jobs) and the skills you build from those
- For example: if you babysat for your parents or family, you may have gained skills from that such as handling difficult situations independently, problem solving, leadership skills
- Another example: if you did yard work for your parents or neighbors, you might have gained skills such as diligent work ethic, and problem solving
- If you’re having trouble selling yourself, here’s a list of adjectives that might help you – try and match skills you already have to language that describes you!
Formatting
Almost everyone has trouble formatting their resume. Thankfully there are handy guides written by reliable sources that can help out! Here are a couple from reliable sources, that are easy to read and include examples!
Add to your resume
There are lots of low cost or free things you can do to pad your resume. You can volunteer, do an internship or apprenticeship, or take free online courses that offer certificates at the end, and more! Here’s some ideas to get you started.
- Free online courses:
- Here’s a list of free online courses that offer certificates
- Harvard & Coursera offer a bunch of free courses online, some have certificates at the end
- Other courses and classes:
- The Jackson Public School Career Development Center offers a lot of different technical and trade courses at night for a low fee, along with very cheap childcare to support parents seeking to expand their education and opportunities
- Grace House Services offers job training classes for several different professions (CHECK)
- The Red Cross offers both in-person and online courses, some you can get certifications with, such as your CPR certification
- Volunteer:
- Volunteer Match is a website that will match you with volunteer opportunities near you
- Internship or apprenticeship:
- Internships, apprenticeships, and seasonal jobs are all good ways to add things to your resume without a long term commitment, they also often don’t have as many qualifications
- These positions vary, some are paid and some are not, and different places will offer them at different times
- You can check job websites such as Indeed or LinkedIn for internships and apprenticeships that might be available in your area
- The Mississippi Department of Employment Security has an apprenticeship program that you can apply for
- Higher Education
- If you are looking to really boost your resume, and have the time and money to invest in going back to school, that might be a good option depending on what your career goals are
- You can go to trade school, community college, or a university – if you are interested in this route, I recommend looking at the other tabs labeled higher education
Job Training & Career Development
If you are looking to get training for a job, there are lots of resources out there for you, including both national resources and resources specific to the Jackson area. In addition to training and classes, this page will discuss resources meant to help you along on your journey.
Supportive Services
This section will include any services directed specifically at assisting people to get job training, or provide support when getting further training.
Getting your GED
There’s no shame in not having your high school diploma, many people for one reason or another don’t end up getting it. If you don’t have your diploma, but want to continue your education, getting your GED might be a necessary first step. Here are some resources that can help you succeed
Springboard Guide:
If you don’t know where to start, Springboard has put together a handy guide to help you succeed.
The rest of this page will go a little deeper into the resources listed on the Springboard GED guide, and provide other resources as well.
GED Programs in Jackson:
While you could study by yourself and take the GED, there are free GED classes that you can take to help you succeed. Taking a class can keep you motivated and accountable, as well as connecting you with people and resources to help you succeed. Here’s some programs in the Jackson area. If you aren’t in the Jackson area, finding a GED program should still be easy! Inquire with your local community college.
- Hinds Community College has a GED program. You can visit their site and fill out an inquiry form to get more information.
- Jackson State University has GED classes, you can call (601) 979-2037
or (601) 979-2038 for more information or to sign up. - West Jackson CDC has a GED class, you can call (601) 397-6900 for more information or to sign up.
- The Jackson Resource Center offers a Highschool diploma course. For more information, visit their website.
Other benefits to getting involved in a class include: the program instructors will know where and when the GED tests are held, you get connected with peers who are on the same path as you, and you get access to real teachers who can help explain concepts in different ways.
If you do self-study, you can find where to take the test when you are ready by contacting your local community college.
Practice Tests:
Before you take the test, it may be beneficial to practice until you feel confident in your skills. The good news is there are plenty of free practice tests and questions on the internet, so you can practice until you feel ready! Here are a few reliable resources for practicing:
- The GED website has official sample practice tests to help you study
- Another GED practice test
- More GED practice questions
All these sources are free and reliable, and they tell you whether or not you got the correct answer and show you the correct one. If you miss a question, it might be helpful to re-do it to see if you can get the correct answer if you try again.
Study Resources:
The best resource to study and ask questions is your teacher. However, if you decide not to take a GED prep course, there are other resources that can help you succeed and give you the knowledge to be prepared. You can purchase a GED text book, however if you don’t want to spend the money, there are free online resources you can use to review and study.
Even if you do take a class, and want some extra review, these resources could be helpful for you!
Youtube is probably the best place to go – if you have a specific question, you can google it or search it on youtube! Here are a couple youtube creators that are reliable resources to help you study:
- Khan Academy is a trusted resource for students of all levels
- This youtuber, Test Prep Champions, has full GED study guides in video format
After your GED…
Once you’ve taken the test, you may decide to pursue further education! If you want information and guides on further education or career development, click on the tabs to the left.
College & University
If you are considering getting a degree but don’t know where to start, this page is filled with an overview and resources to get you started on you journey!
Springboard Guide:
This guide will walk you through the steps of getting any college degree:
The rest of this page will dive deeper into funding, schools & resources to help you on your journey.
Schools
There are a lot of options out their for schools you could attend. Community colleges, private universities and public universities are the main options. This section will discuss your options, and resources they might have. For a more in-depth look, download the guide above.
If you live in Jackson MS, the community college near you is Hinds Community College, which has an amazing variety of programs for students, as well as many opportunities for financial aid. To check it out, click the button below.
If you are looking for a 4-year school, or don’t live near Jackson, or just want to see what other options are out there, there are search tools to help you compare colleges. Click one of the buttons below to start your search.
Funding
One of the main barriers to attending college is that it costs money – a lot of it. But don’t let that discourage you. There are funding opportunities out there, and this section will dive into them.
For general student aid information, check out the FAFSA website, and the US Department of Education, click below to visit their websites:
The FAFSA
FAFSA
The FAFSA, or Federal Application for student aid is the first thing you should apply for when seeking funding for school. Once you apply you can see if you qualify for a pell-grant or any federal loans. A pell-grant is a grant to assist low-income individuals with school. You must fill out the FAFSA every year to remain eligible. Click below for more information or to apply.
Scholarships
Scholarships
Scholarships are money that you don’t have to pay back. There are all kinds of scholarships, such as ones for good grades, or being part of a certain group. You can find scholarships to apply to by going to your financial aid office, or by searching online yourself. But be cautious when you are searching by yourself – there are lots of scams out there. Click below for scholarship tips.
State Aid
State Aid
To find out if your state offers any financial aid through their department of education, click on the button below.
Work-Study
Work-Study
Work-study is what it sounds like. It’s when students work for the school for a portion of their tuition. To see if you qualify for a work-study position, talk to your financial aid office. For more information on work-study in general, click below.
Finacial Aid Office
Financial Aid Office
All schools have a financial aid office to assist students in figuring out how to pay for their school. They will have information about aid specific to the school, as well as federal and state aid. They will be able to walk you through applying for student aid and know the deadlines. The contact information for your financial aid office will be on your schools website.
Grants
Grants
Grants are similar to scholarships in that you don’t have to pay them back in most cases. Grants are usually need-based, such as the pell-grant, which you can apply for by filling out the FAFSA. For more information on grants, click below.
Loans
Loans
It’s best to avoid loans as much as possible, but they aren’t always avoidable. There are many places that will offer student loans, including the federal government. As with any loan, you will have to repay the loan plus any interest, so pay close attention to the interest rate and when you have to start paying on the loan. For more information about student loans, click below.
Other Source of Aid
Other Sources of Aid
There are other sources of student aid available to you. When searching for other sources of aid, be cautious about scams. Banks, local non-profits, other federal institutions such as the military, are all trustworthy sources of student aid.
The FAFSA
The FAFSA, or Federal Application for student aid is the first thing you should apply for when seeking funding for school. Once you apply you can see if you qualify for a pell-grant or any federal loans. A pell-grant is a grant to assist low-income individuals with school. You must fill
out the FAFSA every year to remain eligible. Click below for more information or to apply.
Financial Aid Office
All schools have a financial aid office to assist students in figuring out how to pay for their school. They will have information about aid specific to the school, as well as federal and state aid. They will be able to walk you through applying for student aid and know the deadlines. The contact information for your financial aid office will be on your schools website.
Scholarships
Scholarships are money that you don’t have to pay back. There are all kinds of scholarships, such as ones for good grades, or being part of a certain group. You can find scholarships to apply to by going to your financial aid office, or by searching online yourself. But be cautious when you are searching by yourself – there are lots of scams out there. Click below for scholarship tips.
Grants
Grants are similar to scholarships in that you don’t have to pay them back in most cases. Grants are usually need-based, such as the pell-grant, which you can apply for by filling out the FAFSA. For more information on grants, click below.
Work-Study
Work-study is what it sounds like. It’s when students work for the school for a portion of their tuition. To see if you qualify for a work-study position, talk to your financial aid office. For more information on work-study in general, click below.
Loans
It’s best to avoid loans as much as possible, but they aren’t always avoidable. There are many places that will offer student loans, including the federal government. As with any loan, you will have to repay the loan plus any interest, so pay close attention to the interest rate and when you have to start paying on the loan. For more information about student loans, click below.
General Overview of Loans
For an overview of different student loan types, check out this article from the consumer financial protection bureau.
State Aid
To find out if your state offers any financial aid through their department of education, click on the button below.
Other Sources of Aid
There are other sources of student aid available to you. When searching for other sources of aid, be cautious about scams. Banks, local non-profits, other federal institutions such as the military, are all trustworthy sources of student aid.
Already Have Student Debt?
If you already have student debt, check out this guide to student debt relief. It will walk you through all the steps to figure out the best plan for you to get relief from your student debt, and provide helpful resources.
General Resources
This list is general resources for preparing and finishing college, including general information and helpful tips for success. All these resources are reliable – but always make sure to check if you are searching on your own that information is reliable and safe. Be cautious of anywhere trying to get financial or personal information.
Collegeboard
The Collegeboard offers information and tools to plan for college, pay for college, and explore careers. To explore the information they offer, click below.
FAFSA
To get information about student aid, and to apply for the FAFSA visit the FAFSA website by clicking below.
US Department of Education
The US Department of Education has information on student loans, grants, and the laws surrounding education in the US. For more information, click below.
Higher Education: Trade School
For some careers, it is more beneficial to attend a trade school, training program, or apprenticeship rather than get a university degree. This page will discuss how to find a good program for the career you’re interested in. The first stop you can make is Career One Stop which has resources for you!
Community College
It may surprise you, but community colleges actually have a lot of trade programs available, so that’s always a good place to start looking for program you’re interested in. Additionally, they usually have financial assistance available for students, such as scholarships and grants.
If you live in Jackson, and are looking for a program, start by checking out Hinds community college. Scroll through their program list right here, or click the button below.
For the full list of program, scroll to “Programs A-Z” and click on the drop down.
Click on the program you’re interested in for more details, including related scholarships and funding opportunities.
Not in Mississippi? Find Community Colleges near you with this search tool from Career One Stop:
Other Options
If your community college doesn’t have the program you want, or you are looking for a different route, here are some other ideas about how to get education in the field you’re interested in.
Apprenticeship
If you don’t necessarily want to go to school, but still want to get training in a trade, an apprenticeship might be the way to go. Click one of the buttons below to get more information.
Final Tips
Still aren’t sure where to go from here? Here are a few tips that may be able to help you.
- Talk to people who work in the field you are interested in and see where they got their education and if they have any tips or recommendations.
- Look for an internship or on-the-job training program.
- If you find a different school or program, make sure they have a good track record and have been accredited by the state.
- Check out the “Job Training” and “Resume Development” tabs on this page for more ideas!
Job Security and Labor Rights
You have certain rights in the job market due to US law. For example, you have rights against employment discrimination, the right to a safe workplace, and the right to be compensated for you labor.
To learn more about your rights, check out the US Department of labor.
You can also check out the usa.gov page about labor laws by clicking the button below.