The Grad's Guide

A career resource guide for recent high school graduates across Wayne County!

Brad W. Minton - Postsecondary Success Navigator - Wayne RESA

mintonb@resa.net | 734-589-7013

Attention Wayne County grads: September is all about you! National Workforce Development Month celebrates the power of discovering your path, building new skills, and stepping into the future with confidence.

Not everyone’s journey looks the same. Some dive into college, others explore apprenticeships, trade programs, or jump straight into part-time/full time jobs. What matters is finding the path that fits your goals. Right here in Wayne County, resources and opportunities are waiting to help you explore industries like healthcare, IT, skilled trades, and more. Dive into the numerous resources in this newsletter to start finding where you can make a big impact!

As Oprah Winfrey once said, “The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.”

This is your moment. The world needs your energy, your ideas, and your drive. Take this month as a reminder: your future is wide open, and the first step starts with believing in yourself.

Over the past 10 weeks. Wayne RESA and Wayne County College Access Network have tag teamed in the Summer Elevate program to support the transition of recent graduates across Wayne County into their postsecondary destinations. With Success Coach support we provided outreach and support to nearly 80 young adults to get through the complicated enrollment process. We capped it off with a nice celebration event where participants received food, gift cards, care packages and professional headshots!

Were you helped by us this summer? We'd love to hear from you!

The Michigan Achievement Scholarship is designed to help students pursue their dreams in the Mitten State! Graduating high school seniors are eligible to earn a skill certificate or degree at their community college tuition-free simply by completing the FAFSA.

Students from the Class of 2023 and beyond may be eligible for the Community College Guarantee, which includes:

• In-district tuition, contact hours, and mandatory fees.
• An additional $1,000 Michigan Achievement Bonus award for Pell-eligible students, which can be used toward additional college costs.

The Department of Education announced that the 2025 - 2026 Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be available by October 1, 2025. The FAFSA is an essential tool for families looking to receive financial aid to pay for college, unlocking access to free money!

Michigan’s new AI-focused workforce plan builds on its strong history of helping adults get credentials, jobs, and apprenticeships. The state sees AI as a huge opportunity, not just for automating tasks but for creating new, better-paying jobs if people are ready with the right skills. The plan aims to embed AI and digital fluency into existing education and training, from high school CTE classes to apprenticeships. In addition, offer AI-related certificates and pathways, support businesses (especially small ones) in learning to use AI, and modernize how job seekers and employers connect using AI tools. The goal is to empower Michiganders to be ready for today’s and tomorrow’s job opportunities in an AI-driven economy.

Manufacturing offers an excellent launchpad for young adults especially those who may not be pursuing a four-year degree. It’s a sector that combines good wages, real stability, and tangible career growth:

• Accessible entry: Many manufacturing roles require just a high school diploma or short-term, technical training—removing major barriers to entry.

• Strong earning potential: These positions often pay above average, especially compared to other jobs requiring similar credentials.

• Modern, high-tech environment: Today’s factories are not the old stereotype—they’re increasingly green, high-tech, and engaging, offering roles that are rewarding and forward-looking.

• Closing the skills gap: Michigan’s manufacturing sector faces a shortage of qualified workers. Addressing this gap by training and recruiting young adults helps ensure a robust future for both the workforce and the regional economy

The Global Epicenter of Mobility (GEM) is a bold initiative aimed at transforming Southeast Michigan—especially the Detroit area—into the heart of the nation's future in smart, sustainable transportation. It focuses on next-gen electric, autonomous, and connected vehicles, while also creating high-quality job opportunities across the region. Investing $16.4 million in Talent Transformation, GEM supports people like you by offering training funds, inclusive career pathways, and industry-aligned skill-building—from trades to tech roles like engineering or systems support. They’re all about making sure everyone, including young adults fresh out of high school, can step confidently into these evolving careers.

If you’re exploring your options beyond high school and thinking, “What’s next?”, the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship could be a game changer. You might qualify for up to $2,000 per year (for two years) toward career-training programs right here in Michigan—no FAFSA required. It’s perfect for diving into hands-on, in-demand fields like health care, tech, or skilled trades without breaking the bank. To get started, simply apply through the state’s student portal, show proof of your Michigan high school diploma, and enroll in an eligible program.

A few months out from graduation, it can feel like everyone else already knows what they’re doing right? You see friends heading off to college, starting a job, or diving into training programs. It may seem they have it all figured out. But not quite.......

Here’s the truth from someone who works with them: Many are still figuring it out!

Career decisions don’t have to be permanent. Most people try out different paths before finding the one that fits. What matters is taking small steps and building momentum forward while you explore. That could mean picking up a part-time job to gain experience, meeting with a career advisor at a local community college, or checking out short-term training programs that let you “test drive” different fields.

If you’re feeling pressure to have it all figured out, take a breath. You’re not behind—you’re building your path at your own pace. Stay curious, ask questions, and keep moving forward. The direction will get clearer with every step.

1. Attend this live webinar to discover how to find more career clarity and direction

2. Connect with your local MI Works Office to explore great training and employment opportunities

3. Dive deep into Wayne RESA's Career Exploration Page

The MAPS Mentorship program is in it's fourth year and expanding! We are trying to connect more graduates together to individuals in similar education or career paths who can serve as consultants for your journey. These are graduates of Wayne County Schools since 2020 who are excelling in their path and have offered to provide guidance.

Would you like to get connected to a MAPS Mentor? Fill out this FORM

Our team has spent considerable time developing career exploration resources for students and graduates across Wayne County Michigan. These live interactive brochures showcase high interest career paths and walk readers though the workforce opportunities, local training opportunities and ways to fund their education and career goals. Check out our Skilled Trades Brochure:

Get Schooled is a national non-profit organization dedicated to helping young people get to college, find first jobs, and succeed in both.

This YouTube series will tackle some of the most common challenges of recent graduates!

The Information Center offers a hub of incredible resources for those in need.

WayneLINC is a network of service providers across the county, providing training, employment programs, and support to underrepresented populations, including justice-involved individuals, refugees, immigrants, the economically disadvantaged, and those facing employment barriers.

Check out our YouTube Page and Social Media for interviews with professionals from numerous high-demand industries!

The career podcast designed with the young adult in mind.

Check out a few amazing free, paid and low-cost training programs across Wayne County!

Start earning certifications in the EV Sector for free!

Paid 8-week opportunity to gain exposure in diverse trades.

Free programs in Cybersecurity, IT, Programming and more!

Short-term training in a few months in IT, Manufacturing, Logistics, and Construction

Free programs in IT Fundamentals, Cloud Computing, and Cybersecurity

Paid paid training in numerous careers aligned with the EV movement!

Use the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship and get CNA and Phlebotomy Training FREE

Paid training in Consumer Banking

Free Construction Pre-apprenticeship

Free CDL Truck Driving Training

10-week free training in green careers

Free hybrid training in manufacturing and EV

Apprenticeships in Machining and Robotics

Short term training for certification in phlebotomy and medical assisting

New events added consistently throughout the fall!

Open to the Public

Presented by Brad Minton: Open to all. RSVP below

Open to the public job and internship fair

For those interested in learning about programs at 15+ universities in Michigan

Open to the public at WCCCD's Northwest Campus!

The opportunities below are open and available to the public and not a guarantee of employment.

Offering apprenticeships and internships!

Tuition assistance available for salary and hourly team members

Positions available for tellers/customer service

Numerous entry level positions in mechanics, warhouse, quality and logistics

Entry level positions in Machinists, Mill Hands, General Laborers, Shipping/Receiving Clerks, and Grinders

Hiring for Warehouse and sales positions

Check out this quick Grad's Guide!

Hear from a few Graduates of recent years about their experiences after high school!

Interested in being featured in this series? Fill out this Interest Form!

Open Office Hours: Friday 1-2PM on Zoom https://resa-net.zoom.us/j/2831904215

Email: mintonb@resa.net
Phone: 734-215-7998

Schedule: https://calendly.com/brad-minton