6th-8th Career Exploration

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.

This month, we're focusing on MCDM's Target 2: Academic Connections. Our goal is to integrate academic content to the Michigan career clusters and embed across curriculum.

Connect academic content in both English Language Arts and Mathematics classes this month with the career activities listed below! Please share these activities with your ELA and Math teachers!

Math matters far beyond the classroom - from robotics engineering to everyday life. Use these resources to help students connect math to their personal futures.

1. Watch (3 Mins): Math and your future success

A quick look at how math shapes diverse career paths, no matter a student's current skill level.

2. Discuss:

• How is math relevant to my specific future?

• Am I interested in a math-related career?

• What can I learn from my own career interest data?

3. Explore: Login to Xello to dive deeper into post-secondary options and career-ready skills.

Have students log in to Xello to search for Math or STEM-related careers. Ask them to review:

• The Essentials: Core tasks, working conditions, and average earnings.

• The Path: Required education, training, and/or college majors.

1. Watch & Discuss (5–10 Mins)

Show this 2-minute video (ELA and Your Future Success) highlighting how ELA leads to diverse career paths, like becoming a paralegal. Follow up with a quick class discussion:

• How do ELA skills (communication, analysis) prepare you for any career?

• Where in our own city or neighborhood could you imagine yourself doing this type of work?

• How would you use ELA skills in the career field that interests you?

• Why is it important to keep track of your career interests and to explore them?

2. Explore & Research

Have students log in to Xello to search for an ELA-related career. Ask them to review:

• The Essentials: Core tasks, working conditions, and average earnings.

• The Path: Required education, training, and college majors.

3. Deep Dive

Consider making a Place-, Project-, or Problem-based (3P) learning connection in your curriculum to bridge the gap between classroom objectives and post-secondary success.

When Career Exploration meets Place, Problem or Project-Based Learning, the classroom transforms from a lecture hall into a professional studio. Here’s how they collaborate:

• Authentic Roles: Students don’t just "study" biology; they act as Pathologists investigating an outbreak.

• Industry Mentorship: Use projects to bring in experts—like an Engineer—to critique student prototypes.

• Soft Skill Testing: 3P (problem, project & place based learning) provides the real-world environment where communication and critical thinking are actually put to the test.

3 Steps to Get Started:

1. Identify a "Power Standard": Choose a concept students often find "irrelevant."

2. Find the Professional Counterpart: Who gets paid to use this skill? (e.g., Persuasive writing equals Public Relations Specialist).

3. Draft a "Driving Question": Frame the lesson around a real-world need.

• Instead of: "Learn about ecosystems."

• Try: "How can we, as Urban Foresters, redesign our green space to increase biodiversity?"

Let’s Collaborate!

Whether you want to host a guest speaker or design a career-themed project, contact me;

I’ll connect you with our MAISD 3P Coaches: Jennifer Gwinnup, Rachel Kent, or Erica Johnson - together we are here to coach you through the process!

• This project was fun! I can see myself using this in the future. We had to work together, pay attention to what wires we hooked to what screw, and we had to read wiring diagrams.
• This showed me that I actually really like doing electrical stuff! I could do this for a career!
• This was a very fun activity; it was interesting to learn how to make lights and plugs work. I would love to do this again, it was one of my favorite things I have done this year!
• This was very hands-on and I learned so much. I appreciate you letting us use the equipment. I can see myself pursuing electrical engineering now!
• If I was to become an electrician, I can see how I would need to be able to read diagrams and follow instructions carefully, because electricity can be dangerous. I can also see how I would use math to calculate amps and volts.

Need a hand with the setup and curriculum? We’ve got you covered! We can bring these materials to your room and provide support to make your career lab a success.

Reach out today to get on the schedule! 📩 tschuitema@muskegonisd.org

Turn local industry visits into student success. Our Industry to Instruction Externship gives 6–8th grade teachers a first-hand look at the modern workplace. Instead of just observing, you’ll spend time workshopping how your curriculum can bridge the employability gap and inspire classroom projects.

When & Where

• Dates: June 18 (8am-3:30pm) & June 19 (8am-12pm), 2026

• Location: Local industry sites in the Muskegon area

• Host: Muskegon Area ISD

Educator Benefits

• $300 Stipend (Covers participation and mileage)

• SCECHs Available (Register through MAISD Learning Stream)

• Meals Provided: Lunch on June 18; Snacks on June 19

Why Join?

• See the modern workplace in action.

• Find practical ways to build career readiness into your curriculum.

• Make connections with industry partners.

This externship is offered on a first-come basis (priority will be given to MS teachers) and will be capped at 12 Educators. Click here to get registered.

Questions?

Email Jennifer Gwinnup, jgwinnup@muskegonisd.org, or

Tricia Schuitema, tschuitema@muskegonisd.org

Keep families engaged in their student's career exploration journey! Remember to send Xello Family invites from your Xello dashboard every three weeks, as the email links do expire. Encourage parents and guardians to check their email for the Xello invitation and log in to connect to their student's Xello Family account.

Continue to encourage 6th grade students to complete their four Xello core lessons: Time Management, Decision Making, Interests, School Subjects at Work, and connect to Xello Family.

Continue to encourage 7th graders to make a Plan, set a Goal, and submit a Talent Portfolio in Xello.

When students complete their Xello tasks, they receive a reward in their KickStart to Career (KtC) savings account from the Community Foundation!

Thank you for your dedication to helping students and families succeed through KickStart to Career!

Click here to Register Now!

Ready to Inspire Your Students? If your middle school is interested in exploring these high-tech healthcare pathways, Muskegon Community College is currently booking sessions for groups of 20–30 students. To schedule a tour or learn more about the Health Science and Sim Lab experience, please reach out to Sarah Luker (sarah.luker@muskegoncc.edu) or Tricia Schuitema (tschuitema@muskegonisd.org). Space is limited, so be sure to secure your date soon!

• Available Dates: Remaining open dates include:

  May 1st Morning only

  May 5th

  May 6th

Action: Complete this enrollment form to reserve your spot!

Please complete this form to apply to teach at the MCC STEM Camp. This form is the initial application that will collect contact and class information and those selected will be forwarded to the official MCC application.

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!

Interested in checking out what is happening in K - 5th with Career Awareness? Click the image to view the K-5 monthly newsletters.

Interested in checking out what is happening in 9th -12th grade with Career Preparation? Click the image to view the 9-12 monthly newsletters.

CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO LEARN MORE!

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

tschuitema@muskegonisd.org

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!