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 1: Career Clusters. Introduce the 17 Michigan Career clusters to students and families

Use the MCDM 17-cluster graphic as a "Bell Ringer" slide. Display the cluster icon that matches your lesson for the day so students start making the visual connection!

Call to Action: Email me a photo of your "Bell Ringer" slide in action to be featured in this newsletter!

• We’re heading into the home stretch of the school year, and we want to celebrate our students! We are offering several new opportunities to earn extra deposits for their savings accounts. Read on to see how you can claim these rewards before summer break and check out our latest program additions!
• Check out the KickStart to Career newsletter for updates on how to earn extra money.

6th & 7th Grade Families: Want a window into your child’s future? Log in to Xello Family to see their career interests, and we’ll reward your engagement with another $5 deposit into their KickStart to Career account!

Already connected? Simply log back in to see their latest discoveries and keep the career conversation going at home.

3 Steps to Your $5 Bonus:

1. ACTIVATE: Find your Xello invitation email and set your password. (Can't find it? Check your spam folder!)

2. EXPLORE: Browse the careers and clusters your child has been exploring this year.

3. EARN: Log in between now and May 22 to secure your bonus.

• Minute 1: The Hook. "Attention 6th and 7th graders! Who wants free money for their future? Right now, you can turn your career exploration tasks into actual cash for your KickStart savings account."
• Minutes 2-3: The Mission. "Tell your parents or guardians to check their email (and their spam folder!) for a message from Xello. All they have to do is log in and look at the cool careers you've been exploring."
• Minute 4: The Reward. "Once they log in, you earn an automatic $5 bonus deposit into your account. It’s that simple!"
• Minute 5: The Deadline. "You have until Friday, May 22, to secure this bonus. Don't leave your money on the table—go home today and tell your family to 'Activate, Explore, and Earn!'"

A huge thank you to our local schools for bringing their students to MCC's recent Middle School Manufacturing Day events! Students stepped out of the classroom and into a "day in the life" of high-demand industries, exploring hands-on stations in Welding, HVAC, Engineering, CNC Machining, and Electronics.

We are so proud of these students for diving into the world of modern manufacturing and discovering the incredible career paths available right here in West Michigan!

Shoutout to our participating schools:

• Charles Hackley MS

• Fruitport MS

• Holton MS

• Mona Shores MS

• Muskegon Heights Academy

• Muskegon Montessori Academy for Environmental Change

• Oakridge MS

• Reeths-Puffer Intermediate

• Timberland Charter Academy

Looking to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workforce? We have three distinct pathways to help your school build a thriving culture of career development.

• 1. Foundations: In partnership with Youth Solutions, our career specialists help you design and launch a sustainable, multi-year career development roadmap tailored to your school and/or district.

• 2. Connecting Careers to the Core: Launching late summer/early fall, this PD equips teachers to weave real-world relevance into daily lessons. Move beyond theory with interactive workshops focused on transferable skills and student interests.

• 3. Comprehensive Career Curriculum: Give your students a clear compass. This curriculum guides middle schoolers through career exploration and their post-graduation path—whether that’s college, credentials, the military, apprenticeships, or direct entry into the workforce.

Ready to get started?

Each school has different needs. To find out which of these opportunities is the best fit for your building, reach out to your MAISD Career Exploration Specialist today!

Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Time: Between 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Sign up for a 1.5 hour session.
Location: GRCC Gerald R. Ford Fieldhouse

What’s Included?

• Hands-on learning and career exploration in a variety of STEM industries
• FREE admission for students and schools
• Transportation reimbursement provided by The Right Place (the lead organizer of the event)
• Event Sign Up

Heads up, 7th Grade Educators! Coming this fall, we are thrilled to announce the Seed to Supper: Explore, Create, and Discover Food Careers Expo.

• Who: 7th graders

• What: A hands-on exploration of the Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources, Hospitality & Tourism career clusters.

• When: Fall 2026 (Official Date Coming Soon!)

• MCDM Connection: This event hits Target 1, 2, 3 & 5, moving students from general awareness to intentional exploration of one of Michigan's largest industries.

Vote below and keep an eye on your inbox for registration details. Let's show our students that "Food Science" is much more than just cooking—it’s engineering, chemistry, and business!

Muskegon Community College is inviting first through eighth grade students to beat the mid-summer heat with STEM camp, MCC’s hands-on learning and discovery workshop at the Sturrus Technology Center. A two-week long youth retreat, MCC’s STEM Camp offers an engaging opportunity for kids to dive into science, technology, engineering, and math through interactive, age-appropriate activities that are both educational and fun.

Registration opens May 4, 2026.

• Week 1: July 6 - 9
• Week 2: July 13 - 16
• Each day offers an AM session 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and a PM session 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM.

Get a head start on Fall 2026! Now’s the time to prep your STEM, Computer Science, and CTE curriculum with Learning Blade’s 500+ standards-aligned lessons for grades 5–9.

Plan Ahead: Book your FREE summer or back to school PD and explore how Learning Blade brings real-world careers and hands-on learning to life.

Why Learning Blade?

● 500+ interactive STEM, CS, and CTE lessons

● Ready-to-use plans for busy teachers

● Career exploration to motivate students

● Engaging, team-based projects with 3D printing, design & more

Schedule your summer or back to school PD session today: https://calendly.com/d/3xc-4s3-99n

Click the link to the Muskegon Promise updates from March 2026!

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!

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!