On Friday, October 28, around 2,000 9th grade students will visit Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center to explore Michigan’s 6 Career Pathways and meet with Berrien County industry representatives to learn about future career opportunities during the 2022 Career Pathway Day hosted by Berrien RESA, Michigan Works! and Lake Michigan College.
“Career Pathway Day is an exciting opportunity for area 9th graders,” explained Berrien RESA Assistant Superintendent and Career & Technical Education (CTE) Regional Director Chris Machiniak. “During the event, students will explore their career interests through a number of hands-on activities, meet with post-secondary representatives and talk to area employers about future career opportunities in southwest Michigan.”
Machiniak explained that this is not a job fair, but a career exploration opportunity. Students will be interacting with engineers, business owners, print designers, biologists, agriculture consultants, office managers, bankers, veterinarians and others to gain a first-hand understanding of what it means to be employed in that field. Area employers will benefit too. The event brings industry leaders and students together to help close the “skills gap” that we are experiencing in our region.
“This event is always a win-win for both local employers and youth,” said Paul Brohman, Business Solutions Manager at Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren. “Our youth benefit from being exposed to careers pathways that interest them and allow them to see a future beyond high school. For employers – this event provides an opportunity for them to truly impact our region’s future workforce by sharing their experiences from their industry and line of work.”
The event will commence with an overview of Career Pathway Day activities at the Mendel Center’s Mainstage followed by a career expo in Grand Upton Hall. Employers will be organized into sections based on Michigan’s 6 Career Pathways: Arts & Communication; Business, Management, Marketing, and Technology; Engineering, Manufacturing and Industrial Technology; Health Sciences; Human Services; and Natural Resources and Agriscience.
College representatives from Lake Michigan College, Southwestern Michigan College and Western Michigan University will be onsite to answer students’ questions. Additionally, veteran high school Career & Technical Education students will be on hand to share their CTE class experiences with their 9th grade peers.
Participating companies include:
Manufacturing/Engineering
• Edgewater Automation
• Building Trades Union
• Carpenters Union
• Ironworkers
• Eagle Technologies
• Vickers Engineering
• Lindberg/MPH
• PIC Group Inc/Indeck Niles Energy Center
• Ausco Products
• Abonmarche Consultants
• LECO
• Paragon Tempered Glass
• Maximum Mold
• Special Lite
Health
• Medic 1
• Great Lakes Surgery Center
• Creative Therapy School of Massage
• LADD
• Corewell (Spectrum Health Lakeland) Nursing, therapy, athletic training, phlebotomy and more!
Human Services
• Berrien County Sheriff’s Department
• Michigan Works!
• Michigan State Police
• American Airlines
• M Squared Modern Hair
• Express Employment Professionals
• Four Winds Casino
• Berrien RESA
Business
• United Federal Credit Union
• Wright Properties
• Leidos
Arts & Communication
• J & R Printing
• Bling Wizard Books
• Krasl Art Center
Natural Resources / Ag
• Greenstone Farm Credit Services
• Berrien County Parks – Love Creek
• Two By Two Veterinary Clinic
• Michigan Farm Bureau
• Lounsbury Excavating
• Wilber Ellis
• Zoetis
The event is being hosted by Lake Michigan College in collaboration with Berrien RESA and Michigan Works!.
