First Cohort of Nashville State Students Benefiting from Amazon Career Choice Program Set to Graduate

A partnership between Nashville State and Amazon has begun to bear fruit as the first graduates using the Career Choice program will receive their degrees during the May 2024 Commencement.

Late in 2022, Nashville State was announced as an education partner for Amazon’s Career Choice program, allowing eligible hourly Amazon associates to receive pre-paid tuition, book, and fee assistance while pursuing an associate degree or technical certificate.

Two upcoming graduates include Janae’ Patton, who earned an Associate of Applied Science in Computer Information Technology with a Concentration in Systems Administration and Management, and Rebekah Rawlings, who earned an Associate of Fine Arts in Music.

Patton, who works at the Amazon Delivery Station in Madison and is enrolling at Tennessee State University to earn a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, said, “Career Choice was easy to use and were in contract throughout the whole process.”

“I would recommend Career Choice to other associates. I love Nashville State Community College—the professors had experience in my field and were very knowledgeable.”

The Career Choice program is an educational benefit that empowers employees to learn new skills for career success at Amazon or elsewhere.

“Applying for Career Choice was so easy and was processed and approved within 24 hours,” said Rawlings, a process guide and trainer in Amazon’s Fulfillment Engine department at a large facility in Mt. Juliet.

A big proponent of Career Choice, Rawlings always tells her new hires, “If they plan on going to college, they really should utilize the program.”

During her time at Nashville State, Rebekah gives a lot of credit to Music Associate of Fine Arts Program Director Dave Edgington.

“He was supportive and offered so many amazing opportunities and connections throughout my years.”

Now that she has earned an Associate of Fine Arts, Rawlings is transferring to Middle Tennessee State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in music education.

To learn more about the Amazon Career Choice program at Nashville State, visit http://www.nscc.edu/amazon.