Blue Ridge Community College is happy to welcome Doug Gibson as its new NC Career Coach for North and East Henderson High Schools.
Gibson started with Blue Ridge on June 1, and brings years of experience serving as a teacher at East Henderson to his new role.
Growing up a self-described “Air Force brat,” Gibson lived in Ohio, Oklahoma, Alaska and Illinois during his childhood. He later spent much of his adolescence in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, before moving to North Carolina.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. From there, he attended Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, where he earned his master’s in education.
As the new NCWorks Career Coach, Gibson will be working closely with North and East Henderson High School students to inform them about Blue Ridge’s various programs used for dual enrollment, job training, and college transfer purposes.
“My job is to expand access to our local high school students so that they can earn some college credits before they even officially start college,” Gibson said.
The College’s Career and College Promise (CCP) program, for example, offers local high school students the chance to take free courses and get started on an associate degree while still in high school.
CCP offers a variety of pathways for students, whether their interests lie in nursing, criminal justice technology or any of the other countless available options.
Gibson believes his established relationships with East Henderson’s student body and employees will give him a unique insight into his new role.
“I also have some connections at North Henderson as well, so starting this new role has been a smooth transition for me,” he added.
Due to the age of many CCP students, having a solidified career choice is normally rare, and Gibson says this gives him a chance to work with each student and find the best courses for them to consider before starting. Even if a student is interested in a highly specific career, Gibson will work with this student to set them up with classes that give them a solid foundation for their educational journey.
“We’ve got the data showing that two-year associate degrees often provide better-paying jobs than most four-year degrees,” he said. “I’m super excited about giving these students the chance to earn their associate degrees early, because a significant amount of jobs today are looking for students with those same degrees.”
Gibson will work alongside two other career coaches, including Marcus Roberson, who serves Hendersonville High School and West Henderson High School, and Bailey Varley, who serves Rosman High School, Brevard High School and Davidson River School.
When not serving students, Gibson enjoys being a father to his daughter, and a husband to his wife, Alicia. Together, the two are part of a folk/blues musical band they formed together called “Trail of the Lonesome.”
“I’m so excited to be here and to help our students,” he added.
Gibson can be reached at dl_gibson@blueridge.edu.