Best Job & Career in Mississippi — 16 resources

About Job & Career for Women

Job and career resources for women run through the 2,400+ American Job Centers (AJCs) nationwide, the Department of Labor's Women's Bureau, and SBA Women's Business Centers. AJCs offer free job search, resume help, and WIOA-funded training (often

0,000+ in tuition for in-demand occupations). WANTO grants fund women entering nontraditional trades like construction, electrical, and HVAC. Registered Apprenticeships pay workers during training, and organizations like Chicago Women in Trades, Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW), and Dress for Success support entry and re-entry. For formerly incarcerated women, programs like the Center for Employment Opportunities provide transitional jobs. This directory includes AJCs, WBCs, apprenticeships, and women-focused workforce programs.

Job & Career in Mississippi

Mississippi chancery courts handle divorce and custody in all 82 counties, with county courts handling some child support matters. The Division of Child Support Enforcement operates under MDHS. Jackson, Gulfport, Southaven, and Hattiesburg are the largest cities. Mississippi Center for Justice, North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, and the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence support women.

16 Resources

1. Mississippi Department of Employment Security — Free

State employment services with job search and career counseling for women entering, re-entering, or advancing in the workforce. Jackson is the operating base; the location at 235 Echelon Pkwy is open to walk-in inquiries and scheduled appointments alike. Call 601-321-6000 to confirm what to bring and whether the intake list is open for new cases. Open mon-fri 8am-5pm; services are free to qualifying Mississippi residents.

601-321-6000 · 235 Echelon Pkwy, Jackson, MS 39213 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Goodwill Industries of Mississippi — Free

Job training and employment services for women. Ridgeland is the operating base; the location at 835 S Wheatley St is open to walk-in inquiries and scheduled appointments alike. 601-853-8110 is the best starting point—leave a clear message with your county and a callback number if you reach voicemail. Open mon-fri 8am-5pm; services are free to qualifying Mississippi residents.

601-853-8110 · 835 S Wheatley St, Ridgeland, MS 39157 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Mississippi Urban League — Workforce Development — Free

Career training and job placement for women in Jackson. Mississippi Department of Employment Security runs WIN Job Centers across the state—the American Job Center equivalents. Phone 601-714-4600 to be screened; staff will ask about household income, county of residence, and the specific issue you need help with. Open mon-fri 8am-5pm; services are free to qualifying Mississippi residents.

601-714-4600 · Jackson, MS · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Stewpot Community Services — Employment — Free

Job readiness and employment support for women in Jackson. Jackson is the operating base; the location at 1100 W Capitol St is open to walk-in inquiries and scheduled appointments alike. 601-353-2759 is the best starting point—leave a clear message with your county and a callback number if you reach voicemail. Open mon-fri 8am-5pm; services are free to qualifying Mississippi residents.

601-353-2759 · 1100 W Capitol St, Jackson, MS 39203 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Mississippi Action for Community Education (MACE) — Free

Workforce development for women in the Mississippi Delta. Based at 119 S Theobald St in Greenville, the office serves Delta women and families. Call 662-335-3523 to confirm what to bring and whether the intake list is open for new cases. Useful background before contacting a Mississippi chancery court, MDHS office, or community provider. Open mon-fri 8am-5pm; services are free to qualifying Mississippi residents.

662-335-3523 · 119 S Theobald St, Greenville, MS 38701 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

6. Mississippi 211 — Job Resources — Free

Dial 211 for employment referrals and workforce programs for women entering, re-entering, or advancing in the workforce. Dialing 211 routes you to a Mississippi 211 specialist who can locate the nearest pantry, shelter, or program for your county—operators are trained to triage MDHS, Medicaid, and TANF questions on the same call. Mississippi unemployment insurance and reemployment services both go through MDES. Available 24/7 at no cost.

211 · Statewide Service · 24/7

7. CareerOneStop — Free

US Department of Labor career, training, and job search portal. Find American Job Centers near you for women entering, re-entering, or advancing in the workforce. Although the organization is national, the resources translate cleanly to Mississippi cases and reference Mississippi-specific agencies where relevant. Visit www.careeronestop.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. America's Job Centers — Free

Free in-person career help, training referrals, and job search assistance at 2,400+ AJC locations nationwide for women entering, re-entering, or advancing in the workforce. A useful resource to read before contacting a Mississippi agency, so you arrive with a sharper question and clearer expectations. Visit www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/AmericanJobCenters/american-job-centers.aspx for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. DOL Women's Bureau — Free

US Department of Labor agency promoting good jobs and equity for working women. Resources and data. A useful resource to read before contacting a Mississippi agency, so you arrive with a sharper question and clearer expectations. Visit www.dol.gov/agencies/wb for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Dress for Success — Free

Free professional attire and career development services for women entering the workforce. Although the organization is national, the resources translate cleanly to Mississippi cases and reference Mississippi-specific agencies where relevant. Visit dressforsuccess.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Bottomless Closet — Free

Free interview-appropriate clothing and career development for women seeking economic independence. Although the organization is national, the resources translate cleanly to Mississippi cases and reference Mississippi-specific agencies where relevant. Visit www.bottomlesscloset.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Year Up — Free

Free 1-year career training program for young adults 18-29 leading to corporate apprenticeships for women entering, re-entering, or advancing in the workforce. Although the organization is national, the resources translate cleanly to Mississippi cases and reference Mississippi-specific agencies where relevant. Visit www.yearup.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Goodwill Career Services — Free

Free job training, career counseling, and placement at Goodwill centers nationwide for women entering, re-entering, or advancing in the workforce. The website is the main entry point and covers Mississippi alongside every other state—no Mississippi-specific signup is required to read the guidance or use the directory. Visit www.goodwill.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. Women Employed — Free

Improving the economic status of women through advocacy and career navigation services. Although the organization is national, the resources translate cleanly to Mississippi cases and reference Mississippi-specific agencies where relevant. Visit womenemployed.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. SCORE — Free Business Mentors — Free

Free mentoring and business education for entrepreneurs, including women business owners. The website is the main entry point and covers Mississippi alongside every other state—no Mississippi-specific signup is required to read the guidance or use the directory. Visit www.score.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. SBA Office of Women's Business Ownership — Free

US Small Business Administration support for women entrepreneurs including Women's Business Centers. The website is the main entry point and covers Mississippi alongside every other state—no Mississippi-specific signup is required to read the guidance or use the directory. Visit www.sba.gov/business-guide/grow-your-business/women-owned-businesses for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many job & career resources are in Mississippi?
Women's Corner tracks 16 job & career resources for women in Mississippi.
Are job & career resources in Mississippi free?
16 of the 16 listed job & career resources in Mississippi are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Mississippi have job & career resources?
Listings span cities including Jackson, Ridgeland, Greenville.
What are some examples of job & career resources in Mississippi?
Featured entries include Mississippi Department of Employment Security, Goodwill Industries of Mississippi, Mississippi Urban League — Workforce Development, Stewpot Community Services — Employment, Mississippi Action for Community Education (MACE).
Do these listings include phone numbers?
6 of 16 Mississippi job & career listings include phone numbers.
Where do I get free job training?
Your local American Job Center (find at CareerOneStop.org or call 1-877-872-5627) offers free training, resume help, and job placement through the WIOA program. Goodwill, Dress for Success, and Bottomless Closet provide job-readiness, interview clothing, and coaching. Community colleges run short-term certificate programs (CNA, medical billing, IT) under
,000 that lead to immediate jobs.
Are there programs that hire single mothers?
Yes. Many employers partner with Goodwill, YWCA, and Workforce Boards on second-chance and single-mom hiring tracks — childcare assistance, flexible schedules, and tuition reimbursement included. Look at 'Family Forward NC' style state initiatives, certified Family-Friendly employers, and federal contractors (required to support working parents). Healthcare and logistics are the fastest-growing single-mom-friendly fields.
How do I write a resume after years out of the workforce?
Skip the chronological format — use a functional or hybrid resume that leads with skills (organization, budgeting, time management, problem-solving from caregiving counts). Reframe volunteer work, PTA, and freelance work as professional experience. Free help: American Job Centers, Dress for Success Career Center, LinkedIn's free resume builder, and the SBA Women's Business Centers.
What if I have a criminal record?
You still qualify for most jobs — Ban-the-Box laws in 37 states delay background questions until later in hiring. Federal contractors can't ask about records on the initial application. The Federal Bonding Program insures employers against loss for hiring you. Many states allow expungement of certain records after a waiting period — ask legal aid about clearing your record.