It’s hard to figure out what you want to be when you grow up. The best answer can be to explore potential careers so you choose wisely
More than 10,000 high school students in Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Livingston, Monroe and Washtenaw counties will be able to explore potential careers at Nov. 28 for MiCareerQuest Southeast at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.
They will engage with professionals from more than 80 companies and participate in activities that showcase four high-demand industries – advanced manufacturing, construction, health sciences and information technology – opening their eyes to opportunities for great careers in Southeast Michigan.
Each career quadrant will have approximately 20 exhibitors from companies, schools, trade unions and other organizations and feature hands-on, interactive activities designed to showcase various occupations. Students attending MiCareerQuest Southeast will be required to visit each of the quadrants during the event.
MiCareerQuest Southeast is patterned after MiCareerQuest in Grand Rapids, held there for the past four years.
Registration opens Aug. 15 for the event, which will be the largest career exploration experience for public and private high school students ever planned for the region. The link can be found on the MiCareerQuest Southeast website. Registration closes Oct. 1, or when all the available student slots are filled.
“We don’t want to leave any school out that wants to join us at MiCareerQuest Southeast, but we can only accommodate so many students in one day,” says Jennifer Llewellyn, manager of workforce development for Oakland County. “So the earlier you commit to sending your school to the event the better.”
During the online registration process, schools will select their time slot preference: 8-10 a.m., 10 a.m. – noon and noon-2 p.m. Those farthest away from the site will be given priority for the 10 a.m.-noon session, to enable ample time to travel to the event.
There is no cap on the number of students a high school can send, but there is a limit per county, so event organizers urge schools to register as quickly as possible. Home-schooled students interested in participating should contact their local school district.
School districts needing financial assistance for bus transportation should contact their local intermediate school district.
“The excitement is building among our exhibitors as they put their plans in place,” Llewellyn said. “They see the value in MiCareerQuest Southeast helping shape our region’s future workforce. These enthusiastic, working professionals will engage directly with students and share their expertise and advice. Students should come prepared with plenty of questions.”
The Michigan Talent Investment Agency (TIA) is the presenting sponsor of MiCareerQuest Southeast. Beaumont Health (health sciences quadrant), Society of Manufacturing Engineers (advanced manufacturing quadrant), and DTE Energy, Consumers Power, Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council and MUST (Management and Unions Serving Together) have joined together for the platinum sponsorship in the construction quadrant.
Event organizers are still seeking a platinum sponsor for the information technology quadrant. Additional major sponsors include Oakland Community College and Automation Alley. There also are more than 20 smaller sponsors, representing their respective career quadrants. The full list of sponsors and event information is available at OakGov.com/MiCareerQuestSE.
Sponsorships help pay for the facility rental, display company operational services and equipment, security, student and volunteer supplies, food for volunteers and exhibitor staff, and subsidizing student transportation where needed.
There are some exhibitor spots still open in all the career quadrants and there is no registration fee to participate. For the full list of confirmed exhibitors, visit OakGov.com/MiCareerQuestSE.
For more information on sponsorships and exhibit opportunities, please contact Beth Tomaszewski at (248) 823-5127 or via email, TomaszewskiE@OakGov.com.
MiCareerQuest Southeast to help high schoolers explore high-demand careers, keep them in region added by Marge Sorge on
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