Jeremiah Willis
AccelerateMS
Jackson, MS USA
"I wanted to be a part of the solution for making my state better."
Career Roadmap
Jeremiah's work combines: Government, Business, and Helping People
See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.
Take Roadmap Quiz
Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
Find a mentor who's already doing the work you hope to do. Not only can they provide advice and guidance, but they can likely provide resources and opportunities as well. Use tools like Mississippi Pathfinder to map your next steps. It shows in-demand careers, salary ranges, education and training options, and where opportunities exist across the state. Pair that with internships, apprenticeships, or workforce training, and focus on experiences that move you toward your goals.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Marketing
University of Southern Mississippi
Graduate Degree
Economic Development
University of Southern Mississippi
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, then moved to Hattiesburg, which opened my eyes to how opportunity can look so different just an hour away.
2.
I decided to study marketing after discussing my dad’s success in sales and marketing with my mom, and realized the breadth of options the major could provide.
3.
I told a mentor that I was interested in working to positively impact my community in Mississippi and she directed me toward an economic development program.
4.
I earned my master's in economic development while working as a graduate assistant, gaining hands-on research experience.
5.
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted my plans, I accepted a sales job that wasn't the right fit but I kept believing a better opportunity would come.
6.
From there, I took a marketing role at Southern Mississippi University, where I really developed my skills in marketing and data analytics—skills that I still rely on to this day.
7.
I returned home to help create better pathways into education and careers because I wanted to be part of Mississippi's future.
8.
Seeing our work help people gain skills, find meaningful jobs, and change the course of their lives reminds me why I chose this path.
