Jobs for Maine Graduates (JMG) is an organization dedicated to supporting college students that are struggling in any way to succeed in school and get employment after college. Established in 1993, JMG helps about 12,000 students per year in the state of Maine have a better future. Their great work caught the attention of the SMCC beacon. We had the honor to interview a JMG employee, Travis Lawson. Travis’ answers have helped us understand how JMG works.

The Beacon: What do you do for work?

Travis: I work for the non-profit JMG jobs for Maine graduates. My specific role is a college success specialist at SMCC.

The Beacon: What is a college success specialist?

Travis: Our goal is to help students overcome any barriers they may have so they can be successful in school and beyond.

The Beacon: What is JMG? What is its purpose?

Travis: JMG is a nonprofit organization that works with schools in Maine, with students as young as 6th grade all the way to the age of 24. We help students that have some sort of economic disadvantage find a career path through school or by other means.

The Beacon: why did you choose to work for JMG?

JMG: I used to work as a college employee and I got to know the JMG workers very well. I would even say beyond coworkers they became genuine friends of mine. One of the specialists was leaving and encouraged me to apply for the opening at SMCC, working with JMG. I got interviewed and was hired.

The Beacon: Would you advise SMCC students to join the JMG program? 

Travis: Unfortunately, it is not something anyone can join. To be eligible for JMG, students are required to have been part of the middle school or high school program in JMG. Being in the program before college is something we are very adamant about.

The Beacon: Do you know how many students at SMCC are JMG members?

Travis: I don’t have the exact figure but I would say maybe a couple of hundred students. The majority of them are from the Cumberland county and greater Portland area.

The Beacon: How can a student join JMG? Are there any specific requirements for students to join JMG?  

Travis: Students get referrals.. They are notified by their school’s officials and they are given the opportunity to join the program from there.

The Beacon: Do students automatically stop being members after they find a job?

Travis: Some students choose to leave on their own. Others leave after they receive their certificate of value or when they find employment. Students can leave the high school JMG program and decide to return to the college program.