Two students from the Finch-Henry Job Corps Center were selected for one-day internships with Mississippi Congressmen Alan Nunnelee and Bennie Thompson last week. Teressa Turner of Jackson spent the day with Nunnelee in Oxford and Alex Hunter of Greenville accompanied Thompson on visits to Marks and Tunica.

The Congressmen mentored the students for a typical 9-5 day. This unique event, sponsored by the Friends of Job Corps Congressional Caucus, was designed to expose Job Corps youth to the inner-workings of a congressional district office. Turner and Hunter were selected after an interview process to determine who was eager to learn more about their elected officials.  Turner, 21, has been at the center for six months and is specializing in Certified Nurse Assistant. “I enjoyed being with Congressman Nunnelee and the community officials,” she said. “This opportunity helped confirm my desire to secure a degree in political science and work to help the community”. Hunter, 23, has been at the center for ten months after living in Memphis and is specializing in Office Assistant. Hunter stated “Congressman Thompson has a big job on his hand. This experience reinforced my desire to work in an occupation helping people.” Job Corps’ unique residential nature allows the program to provide young adults not only high school diplomas and industry-recognized credentials, but also the quality social and employability skills training that employers regularly cite as the most important entry-level workforce qualification.