Linda Campbell is making a difference in the lives of young adults in Montgomery County, all while helping them obtain a job and learn skills they will use for the rest of their lives as a case worker at North Central Planning and Development.
Campbell began working with North Central Planning and Development on July 1.
A native of Winona, she and her husband Parrish have been married 20 years and have three children, Damon Peeples, LaKeslee Merritt and Jalen Campbell. The couple also has three grandchildren.
Campbell graduated from Winona High School in 1993. She attended Holmes Community College where she obtained her Associate’s degree in Elementary Education. She then attended University of Mississippi –Grenada Campus where she received her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.
“I want to enhance the lives of young people, while they learn work ethics and gain experience,” Campbell said. She said the program is new and focuses on juniors and seniors at Winona High School.
“We want to help them in their future and teach them how to get and keep a job,” she said. “We’ll cover problem solving, social media and give them the skills to be successful.”
Campbell said whatever path the students choose, whether it’s to go to a two-year or four-year college, attend technical school, join the military, or join the workforce, she wants to give them the tools to be able to make the best decision for them.
She said the goal is to help students accomplish their short-term goal, while providing tools for career readiness. Campbell said once students have completed the sessions where they will discuss banking and finance, appearance, attitude, body language, attentiveness, productiveness, communication skills, following directions, problem solving and social media and the use of electronic devices, students will apply what they learned by using it on the job they will obtain while in the class.
“We’ll also do a mock interview and go over resume writing and cover letters,” Campbell said. “We want to help them begin a path of a better and brighter future.”
“We want to teach them how to perform well in an interview and we also offer one on one help as well,” she said. Campbell said she’s been working with the school counselor to find which students are right for the class.
“They have to be screened before they’re permitted to take the class,” she said. “They have to live in Montgomery County, be a student at Winona High School and classify as a junior or a senior.”
Campbell said she’s very passionate able helping young people and assisting them in obtaining their career goals.
The program is funded by the Mississippi Partnership Workforce Development Area of Three Rivers Planning and Development District. North Central Planning and Development District is an Equal Opportunity organization. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request for individuals with disabilities. Stephen B. Russell is the Executive Director of NCPDD and Jeannette Ringo is the program director.
