Jama Metcalfe
Career Pathways Coordinator
National Flight Academy
Pensacola, FL USA
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
Graduated high school with a B+ average. I was a great student in everything but math! Started classes at my community college.
Struggled in math and took time off to work due to losing my Pell Grant funds. Didn't go back to school for nearly 10 years!
Worked for an internet service provider in my home town for 3 years before being laid off during the recession in 2009. Unemployed for nearly a year.
Moved to Pensacola and worked various entry level service and hospitality jobs.
Went back to school as a stay at home mom, but had to drop out (again!) after a divorce so I could work.
Decided to take steps towards changing my life. Began volunteering 1 day a week at my favorite place in the world, the National Naval Aviation Museum.
Hired part time at the National Flight Academy after volunteering 6 months. Hired full time after 1 year, and promoted to Career Pathways Coordinator after 8 months.
Developing my own program in career exploration to help high school students make good choices and avoid the struggles I made. Going back to school to finish my degree!
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Pleasant Home
Pleasant Home
Career
Career Pathways Coordinator
I help students explore careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Non-Profit Organizations
Education
Helping People
Day to Day
I work flexible office hours, as my students are my main priority and I have to work around their schedules. During the day I research labor statistics for expanding and emerging career fields, negotiate student opportunities with businesses and educational institutions, and oversee career readiness curriculum for the National Flight Academy. Evenings and weekends are spent engaging with my students to discuss career and education topics.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for everyone
Get experience! Any experience! Then find ways to use your experiences and the skills you've developed to apply to the career you want. My position "required" a Bachelor's degree, (that I don't have) but I outlined to the hiring managers my personal experiences and how they would help me guide students in my current role.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Family:
""Teachers don't make money or get benefits. You'll have to get a doctorate to get a decent job!""
Challenges I Overcame
Learning Issues
