WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker today hosted Melissa Gleaton, a Job Corps student from the Batesville Job Corps Center, for a one-day Capitol Hill internship.  Gleaton was one of 60 students selected nationwide to work alongside members of Congress and their staffs in our nation’s capital. 

“Job Corps is a program that builds the character and enhances the lives of America’s youth,” Sen. Wicker said.  “It was a great experience having Melissa work with me today.  She was enthusiastic and eager to learn all that my job entails. In turn, I was able to gain valuable insight into what motivated Melissa to join Job Corps and how it has helped her overcome obstacles and achieve success.”

Gleaton spent her day seeing the inner-workings of the legislative branch of government, the role an elected official plays in the decision-making process, and the importance of Congress to Job Corps.  She was able to join a number of meetings with the senator and his staff, attend a committee hearing, and meet with the senator’s legislative and communications staff to discuss constituent services, legislative policy, office management, and media relations and communications procedures. 

 “It was an honor to intern with Senator Wicker,” Gleaton said.  “I learned a lot about the U.S. government and about how our elected officials perform their legislative and constituent service operations.  Additionally, I was able to gain a better understanding of the role Senator Wicker and his colleagues play in the success of Job Corps.”

Over the past 45 years, Job Corps has provided opportunities to nearly 3 million economically disadvantaged young Americans.  Administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, this voluntary, residential training program offers vocational, academic, and social skills training to students aged 16 to 24 at 123 centers nationwide, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.  Each year, Job Corps serves over 60,000 young people.