Meet Our November Specialist of the Month: Shemeca Thompson
This month, we're proud to recognize Shemeca Thompson, a dedicated Jobs for Michigan's Graduates (JMG) Specialist at GST Michigan Works! who is passionate about helping young people overcome barriers, discover their potential, and build meaningful careers. Before entering workforce development, Shemeca spent 20 years in retail management, where she learned the value of hard work, leadership, and learning through experience. She later transitioned into career coaching, spending time working with Partnership, Accountability, Training, Hope (PATH) and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) before becoming a JMG Specialist. She has been with GST Michigan Works! for seven years and has spent the last four years supporting JMG youth.
What inspired Shemeca to become a JMG Specialist was the opportunity to serve young people and help them move forward, no matter where they are starting. "Once they get one down, they're like, 'Ooh, I can do this!'" she shared. For Shemeca, watching youth overcome even one barrier can help them recognize what they're capable of achieving. Whether she's helping a young person identify their goals, build confidence, or take the next step toward a career, she finds purpose in motivating and coaching them along the way.
One of Shemeca's favorite memories as a specialist is seeing a former youth, Theodore, achieve a career goal he had been working toward for some time. Theodore had always wanted to earn his commercial driver's license and become a truck driver, but other responsibilities made it difficult to take that next step. Today, he works for Cassen Transport, hauling cars across the country. After starting with local routes in Michigan, he has expanded to traveling throughout the United States. Shemeca recently caught up with Theodore, who shared how much he enjoys his job and the opportunity to see new places. "Just to see him travel and do what he really wants to do is just amazing," she said. Seeing Theodore turn his goal into a career is a powerful reminder of why she does this work.
Shemeca believes one of the biggest challenges facing young people today is finding the motivation to move forward, especially when they face barriers such as transportation, outside pressures, or uncertainty about their future. She works with youth to help them discover their "why," identify what makes them happy, and build a positive vision for what's possible. She also encourages them to become leaders in their families and to work hard toward whatever goals they set for themselves. Through JMG, she helps youth develop practical skills, from preparing for interviews to navigating workplace situations, so they feel better equipped to take their next steps.
One of the greatest joys of Shemeca's role is being able to share the lessons she's learned throughout her own career. After working her way up through retail management, she understands how much people can learn through experience, persistence, and hard work. Now, she uses those lessons to help young people understand the connection between education and career opportunities. She believes JMG is especially important for underserved youth because it provides individualized guidance and support while helping them prepare for careers that offer a livable wage. For Shemeca, helping young people build successful futures can have an impact that extends beyond the individual and into their families and communities.
Outside of JMG, Shemeca enjoys reading and vacationing with her husband. Her favorite destination so far is Aruba, where she loved the beautiful surroundings and welcoming atmosphere, sharing that everyone seemed happy. She is also a proud parent of a University of Michigan student. Go Blue!
Congratulations, Shemeca Thompson, on being named our November Specialist of the Month! Thank you for your dedication to JMG youth and for the encouragement, guidance, and real-world lessons you share with young people as they work toward their goals. Your commitment to helping youth overcome barriers, recognize their strengths, and find fulfilling career paths makes a meaningful difference.
Nominations are open to ALL, including our employer partners! If you know a phenomenal specialist, we encourage you to nominate them here for our December Specialist of the Month.