BAY ST LOUIS, MISS—The Southern Mississippi Planning and Development District (SMPDD) has hired Heather Dedeaux as a Career Coach for Bay High School. Dedeaux will provide valuable guidance to students as they explore and plan for their future careers.
As a career coach, Dedeaux will work closely with students to explore their career interests, identify potential pathways, and develop personalized plans for achieving their goals. Her deep understanding of the Hancock County community will be instrumental in connecting students with local employers, internships, and mentoring opportunities.
Dedeaux holds a bachelor's degree in home economics education and a master's degree in school counseling from the University of Southern Mississippi. Having served as a school counselor at all levels, she understands the unique challenges and opportunities facing students in Mississippi.
"As a former educator and a resident of Hancock County for more than 30 years, I realize that adding a career coach at Bay High School will benefit students and connect them with opportunities in the workforce. Providing resources and connecting students with businesses and industries will allow them to explore what options they have after high school. I am excited about learning more about the students of Bay High so that I can best serve them.”
— Heather Dedeaux, Bay High School Career Coach
Mississippi Career Coach Initiative
The career coach initiative is a statewide effort to help create paths into the workforce. In 2022, $8 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) was funded in the legislative session. This funding facilitated the hiring of over 100 career coaches across the state. In conjunction with the ARPA funds, the state contributed an additional $12 million for the support of career coaches. This supplementary funding further fueled the initiative's expansion in 2023 by placing 203 career coaches in 206 school districts across Mississippi.
Guided by AccelerateMS, the state’s lead workforce development office, six regional development organizations were granted funds to hire and place career coaches in school districts within their areas. SMPDD is among the six planning and development organizations that secured grant funding to hire career coaches in the Mississippi coastal counties, showing their commitment to enhancing educational and career opportunities.
“SMPDD is thrilled to introduce the new career coach at Bay High School. We are grateful for the collaboration with the Bay-Waveland School District and our partnership with the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission. Heather has joined a dedicated team of career coaches who aim to lead students toward success after graduation by offering valuable insights and exposure to a wide range of career opportunities, empowering the next generation to pursue their passions and build rewarding futures.”
— Natalia Diaz, SMPDD Economic Development Project Manager
Career coaches serve as invaluable guides for students, helping them discover career paths that perfectly match their skills and passions. Through personalized guidance and support, they empower students to set ambitious goals, develop effective plans, and ultimately achieve their career aspirations. By fostering connections between schools, communities, and industries, career coaches play a crucial role in creating a network of opportunities for students to explore and succeed.
Dedeaux's personalized guidance and support will empower students to achieve their career goals and drive economic development in the region.
About Hancock County Port & Harbor Commission
As the county economic development authority, the Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission is committed to fostering business investment and job creation. Their focus lies in attracting manufacturing, defense, aviation, and aerospace-related projects to the county. The organization manages the Stennis International Airport and Port Bienville Industrial Park, while also providing support to the Stennis Space Center, NASA’s leading facility for rocket engine testing.