Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharon Jacobs
Hi Sharon, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I retired from the United States Army in 2011 as a Lieutenant Colonel after serving as a PATRIOT Air Defense Artillery and Acquisition Corp officer for over 20 years. My formal education consists of a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering Technology from Georgia Southern College, Statesboro, Georgia in 1989 followed by the completion of a Master of Science degree in Systems Acquisition Management in 1999 from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.
I received my military commission through the Georgia Southern College, Statesboro, Georgia Reserve Officer Training Corps program as a Second Lieutenant in 1989 and completed two tours in Germany and one deployment to Desert Shield/Storm. I completed the United States Army Combined Arms and Staff School and am a resident graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College.
My home is Wrens, Georgia and I, now, reside with my family in Havre de Grace, Maryland where I am an active resident, community leader, and business owner. I operate two small businesses, a for-profit, Strategic Alliances Group, Inc. and a non-profit, New-Service Training Employment Program (N-STEP), Inc.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to business ownership has not been easy with either company, but I want to focus on the non-profit. The first challenge is access to available funding. Over the years, we have applied for grants and sponsorships to conduct our programs, both of which are probable at best. There is no guarantee of funding from either source. The organization has personnel, operations, facility, and insurance costs to continually pay without concrete funding provided. The funding challenge limits your ability expand programs in the community. Also, some businesses may have competing funding priorities, so you are constantly on the prowl for new funding partners. The second challenge is finding personnel who can sustain your business funding model. This lends to hiring young adults who have great potential and continual training them on operations. On average, it may take up to 18 months for them to fully grasp the grant funding cycles, the community engagements, and programs to be effective.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about New Service Training Employment Program, Inc?
Incorporated in 2018, New-Service Training Employment Program (N-STEP), Inc., a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, whose mission is to Expose, Educate, Connect, and Assist individuals in making meaningful decisions about life, education, and employment opportunities. N-STEP provides workforce development assistance and coaching to individuals to increase their understanding and performance in workplace environments.
Our programs consist of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) engagement activities including robotics and drones’ programs, Career Walks & Career Talks activities, financial literacy education, life skills education, General Equivalency Diploma and Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) tutoring, and career readiness coaching. Our services are offered under our Career and Life Readiness Program whereby our organizations’ motto is “Preparing You Today For Tomorrow’s Careers”, as we seek to build each individual’s knowledge on being prepared for life and career success. N-STEP is primarily known for our Career and Life Readiness program, a ten-week program, aimed at increasing one’s knowledge of workforce environments and opportunities. We assist in job seeking, employment coaching, and professional services. I am proud of the fact that we offer a diverse group of services to a diverse group of young adults including homelessness, high school students, and college students. I am especially proud of our Career Walks and Career Talks program whereby we hold either an in-person or virtual event with our program participants and business owners. We have taken students to the John Hopkins Robotics Laboratory as well as to Dunlop Protective Wear in Havre de Grace, MD. One size does not fit all, so we aim to find the fit for you!
What’s next?
Our biggest plan for the future is to open our own STEAM Workforce Center, the place for training on various employment skills, the place for career coaching and counseling, and the place for workforce development.
Pricing:
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Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nstepforward.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nstep.360/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/NSTEP/100093654309215/
