Nursing Student Hannah Jackson Gets Start in Healthcare Field with Assistance from JobSight Career Center in Clay County
Hannah Jackson was already juggling the demands of full-time nursing studies at Somerset Community College when she enrolled in employment services through her local Kentucky Career Center JobSight in Clay County, hoping to find a job while continuing her studies. That decision paid off, first with a paid internship and eventually a full-time job that allowed her to gain real-world experience in healthcare while embarking on a fulfilling career path.
Hannah Jackson
Jackson learned about the career center services in Manchester through a friend whose enrollment there led to a job. Driven by her passion for caring for others, Jackson decided to enroll and was paired with Jo Ann Nolan, an experienced career advisor with Daniel Boone Community Action Agency (DBCAA) who connected Jackson with an internship opportunity at AdventHealth Manchester.
"I was inspired to enroll for an internship at my local healthcare facility because of my passion for caring for people," Jackson said. "My advisor was also very helpful and supportive of my decision."
A partner in the Kentucky Career Center JobSight network of workforce centers, DBCAA provides Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) services in Clay and Jackson counties under contract with the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP). These services include programs for people who may need assistance honing skills such as résumé building or networking with local employers, or who need assistance being retrained or going to school.
Recognizing her potential and dedication, Nolan quickly connected Jackson with Sheila Asher, the clinic manager at AdventHealth. An interview was arranged, and Asher offered Jackson an internship.
Throughout the internship, Jackson received financial assistance from the career center for work attire, ensuring she was fully prepared to excel in her new role. The internship solidified her decision to pursue a career in nursing.
"As of now, I am enrolled at the University of the Cumberlands in the ADN program to become an RN," Jackson said. "I saw this internship as the perfect opportunity to gain experience in the healthcare field."
Upon completing her internship, AdventHealth Manchester offered Jackson a full-time position. She continues to work there while pursuing her nursing degree.
Jackson's journey highlights the effectiveness of the career center's partnership with EKCEP in providing comprehensive career services to residents of Clay and Jackson counties through the JobSight network. Their collaborative efforts empower individuals like Jackson to discover their potential, pursue their dreams, and contribute to the region's thriving workforce.
"If it weren't for the internship, I honestly wouldn't see myself currently working in the healthcare field, or at AdventHealth altogether," Jackson said. "Thanks to the opportunity, I was able to be trained on the job for certification in my current role."
Jackson encourages anyone seeking career guidance and support to explore the resources available through their local career center.
"I would absolutely recommend the job services that are available to anyone," she said. "There are so many opportunities available, and the resources they provide are too good to pass on!"
If you’re an Eastern Kentucky resident and interested in enrolling for career and employment services, visit jobsight.org/locations to find your nearest Kentucky Career Center JobSight and contact a career advisor to get started.
EKCEP, a nonprofit workforce development agency headquartered in Hazard, Ky., serves the citizens of 23 Appalachian coalfield counties. The agency provides an array of workforce development services and operates the Kentucky Career Center JobSight network of workforce centers, which provide access to more than a dozen state and federal programs that offer employment and training assistance for jobseekers and employers all under one roof. Learn more about us at http://www.ekcep.org, http://www.jobsight.org and http://www.facebook.com/ekcep.
