From Campus to Career: Southwest Hosts M-Ploy Memphis Orientation

Southwest will host an M‑PLOY Memphis Program Orientation on Saturday, May 2, in the Farris Auditorium on the Macon Cove Campus.

The orientation is part of the M‑PLOY Youth Summer Experience, a City of Memphis workforce development initiative administered by the Memphis Office of Youth Services. M‑PLOY provides paid summer employment for Memphis youth ages 14 to 22, pairing hands‑on work experience with professional development and career exploration.

Participants selected for the program work up to 20 hours per week over six weeks in entry‑level positions, internships, or career‑path placements with local employers. In addition to job assignments, the program emphasizes workplace readiness through training in soft skills, financial literacy, time management, and professional conduct.

The orientation will prepare students for the summer experience by outlining program requirements, payroll and timekeeping procedures, and behavioral expectations. Attendance is required for enrolled participants before they begin their work assignments.

Southwest has been a long-term community and workforce development partner with M‑PLOY Memphis, supporting the program by using campus facilities, engaging students, and connecting them to postsecondary pathways. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to helping young people transition from summer employment to long‑term educational and career opportunities.

By hosting the orientation, Southwest continues its role as a bridge between workforce initiatives and higher education access in Memphis.