6th-8th Career Exploration
December 2025
The Michigan Career Development Model (MCDM) is a framework, guided by legislation, that engages school communities, students, and their support networks in intentional and meaningful career awareness, exploration, and preparation for all students.
Computer Science Education Week December 8-14
Kicking off Computer Science Education Week— Show students how technology shapes their daily lives and how CS skills are fundamental to their future careers. The focus aligns directly with the Information Technology and STEM Career Clusters.
MCC Middle School Health Science Career Day
Muskegon Community College (MCC) is offering hands-on healthcare career tours for middle school students, focusing on Nursing and the Simulation (Sim) Lab Experience.
Audience: 20-30 middle school students per session.
Experience: Includes hands-on demos, an overview of MCC's Health Science programs, and an admissions presentation.
Available Dates: December is booked. Remaining open dates include:
May 1st Morning only
May 5th Afternoon only
May 6th Morning and Afternoon
Action: Complete this enrollment form to reserve your spot! (Questions? Contact tschuitema@muskegonisd.org or sarah.luker@muskegoncc.edu)
Borrow our New Career Kits in Food Truck Design
The Food Truck Design Kit offers students an interactive, hands-on experience in food service entrepreneurship. These kits allow up to 30 students to design, plan, budget and visualize their own food truck concepts using interactive tools like gridded whiteboards and furniture tiles. Through up to 18 hours of instruction across 5 lessons, students will develop practical business skills and explore the dynamic world of food truck ownership. Click here for an overview of the lessons.
If you're interested in borrowing these kits for a few weeks during the school year, please reach out to tschuitema@muskegonisd.org, MAISD Career Exploration Specialist, 231-767-3628.
Borrow our Career Kits in Electricity!
The Electrical Wiring Kits are designed for up to 30 students, and offers up to 13 hours of instruction across 3 lessons, teaching essential electrical wiring principles and techniques through real-world, hands-on tasks. This also might be a great after school session for your students! Check out the curriculum here!
The electrical wiring kit is a perfect example of a high-leverage, hands-on activity that simultaneously hits core physical science concepts and essential engineering design standards.
If you're interested in borrowing these kits for a few weeks during the school year, please reach out to tschuitema@muskegonisd.org, MAISD Career Exploration Specialist, 231-767-3628.
A Talent Portfolio is a vital tool for students to gather and showcase their diverse skills and accomplishments, providing a competitive advantage to prospective employers or admissions committees by highlighting technical skills and career-ready practices. Michigan law requires that students initiate the portfolio in Grade 7 and revise it annually through their EDP, documenting their experiences, proficiencies, certifications, digital badges, and marketable skills.
This school year, sixth graders have a few ways to earn $6 for their KickStart to Career (KtC) savings accounts.
- $1 per Xello lesson (up to 4 lessons)
- $1 for linking a parent/guardian to Xello Family
- $1 bonus on the 100th day of school, celebrating being halfway to graduation!
Encourage families to check their email from Xello and activate their Xello Family account. All rewards will be deposited into student accounts in May. Families can track the progress of their child's KtC account directly in PowerSchool.
Oakridge Middle School students attended 3 different tours at Structural Concepts, Klever Manufacturing, and MSU Institute of Agriculture at MCC. Students were engaged in learning different jobs and roles in the companies, they thought it was cool to see how companies make products (like safe box cutters), and they enjoyed seeing what people do in action on the job everyday. They also liked seeing what they might study in college, and found some good back up plans for their future careers.
Thank you, Oakridge MS, for coordinating these events and opportunities for your students, and thank you to the organizations for hosting them!
Students at Muskegon Montessori Academy devoted the month to a comprehensive career exploration unit. Their work included completing Xello lessons, conducting and presenting in-depth career research to their peers, and successfully hosting a Career Day. This capstone event featured multiple adult speakers who exposed students to various careers through interactive discussions and hands-on activities.
Hands-On STEAM Field Trips at MCC (STEM & Fab Labs)
Plan an exciting field trip experience for your students at the MCC downtown campus to explore STEAM career pathways and hands-on activities.
Click here to get registered. Contact Jessica Sisco with any questions at (231) 777-0629 or jessica.sisco@muskegoncc.edu.
Howmet Bus Grant available. Select "Yes" on the registration form.
Partner Opportunities
Consider pairing your field trip with a visit to another downtown Muskegon educational partner. Don't forget to include career exploration conversations throughout your visit!
Have questions? Need resources? Please reach out! I am here to support you and your team!
Tricia Schuitema
Career Exploration Specialist, Grades 6-8
Muskegon Area ISD
w: 231.767.3628, c: 231.767.5591
Please forward this newsletter to teachers and staff in your buildings so fellow educators can "subscribe" to get monthly career exploration newsletter updates!