The MAISD Career & College Readiness team is distributing a Xello & Career Readiness Summary to each district's superintendents, principals, and counselors. This summary supports a K-12 career development culture by showcasing Xello use, K-12 career development engagement, and a framework for Michigan Career Development Model targets and MiCIP K-12 career development goals.
MAISD Career Specialists will then schedule meetings with each building (elementary through high school) to celebrate achievements, review recommendations, and plan for the upcoming school year. We look forward to connecting!
KickStart to Career is growing to 7th grade next year!
KtC will be growing with your current 6th graders into 7th grade next year - stay tuned for the 7th grade KickStart to Career activities!
Current 6th grade students received $1 for each of the four Xello lessons they completed, and $1 if they were linked to Xello Family. Deposits have been entered into their KickStart to Career accounts. Families can check their child's KickStart to Career accounts in PowerSchool.
Thank you so much for your dedication to helping students and families succeed through KickStart to Career!
Career Camp for Current 7th & 8th graders (June 16-19):
- 7th and 8th graders received a Career Camp postcard in the mail.
- Many options to choose from.
- Register by June 6.
Hands-On Introduction to Diverse and Exciting Careers in Technology.
Muskegon County students are invited to Tech Showcase which will feature up to 30 leading tech companies presenting hands-on exhibits, allowing students to explore technology in a real-world, interactive way. The format is similar to MiCareerQuest, but entirely focused on tech careers, helping students discover potential career pathways.
- Date: Tuesday, September 16th
- Location: Grandville Robotics Competition Center
- Time: Arrival times are staggered between 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
- We recommend that students allocate at least 90 minutes to fully explore the exhibits and interactive sessions.
Key Benefits for Your School:
- Free admission for students and schools
- Transportation reimbursement provided by The Right Place (organizer of the event)
- Hands-on learning with real tech professionals
- Opportunity to bring up to 100 6th-8th grade students (with the possibility of more depending on space and availability)
We would love for your school to participate and give students access to this valuable career exploration experience. To register your students, click here.
Borrow our New Career Kits in Electricity!
This fall, career kits will be available for classroom use! The Electrical Wiring Kit, designed for up to 30 students, offers 13 hours of instruction across 3 lessons, teaching essential electrical wiring principles and techniques through real-world, hands-on tasks.
If you're interested in borrowing this kit for the upcoming school year, please reach out!
Design Your Dream Food Truck!
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, and visualize their own food truck concepts using interactive tools like gridded whiteboards and furniture tiles. Through 18 hours of instruction across 5 lessons, students will develop practical business skills and explore the dynamic world of food truck ownership.
The Schools to Tools Mobile Field Trip is touring schools across Michigan and features engaging hands-on challenges alongside dynamic virtual experiences that lets your students step into the world of the skilled trades.
Click here to request a stop!
Reeths-Puffer Middle School Students Explore Careers!
During a recent half-day Friday, Reeths-Puffer Middle School students participated in a career exploration event designed to broaden their understanding of various professions and their connection to academic learning. The initiative aimed to:
- Expose students to a diverse range of career clusters.
- Help them connect current academic studies to future career paths.
- Enable students to visualize long-term career goals and understand the immediate relevance of their education.
Students rotated through different career clusters, learning about professions such as Media Specialist, Construction Trades, Animal Trainer, Nurse, Physical Therapist, Coach/Trainer, Small Business Owner, Detective, Chiropractor, Cosmetologist, Conservationist, Librarian, and Engineer. The event also highlighted the following programs offered at the Career Tech Center (CTC) which students can take as early as 11th grade: Criminal Justice, Graphic Design, Electrical, Automotive Collision & Repair, Hospitality & Culinary Arts. Additionally, students learned about the Muskegon Area Promise Scholarship. This scholarship can fund certificate programs, associate degrees, or a portion of a bachelor's degree at approved local vocational training centers, Muskegon Community College, or Baker College of Muskegon.
Montague 8th Graders Get Hands-on Career Exploration!
Eighth-grade students from Montague's Nellie B. Chisholm Middle School recently had an immersive work-based learning career exploration experience, visiting various industry partners to learn about real-world professions.
Roughly 25 students delved into the Construction Trades, touring homes built by CTC students and observing a crane delivering trusses for a new house construction. They then moved to the MCC Sturrus Technology Center, where they explored careers in CAD, engineering, welding, electronics/automation, machining, and materials.
Another group of 25 students explored the world of Arts, A/V Technology, and Communications. They visited Revel Marketing in downtown Muskegon to learn about the design thinking process in advertising. Afterward, they met with Andy O'Reilly from O'Reilly Media at the Community Foundation offices to discuss careers as a podcaster, influencer, and journalist.
A third group of 25 students toured GE Aerospace, gaining insight into various careers within the aerospace industry. They also engaged in solving a real-world engineering design problem.
The final group of 25 students visited Muskegon Community College's Health Science programs. Here, they participated in hands-on activities like practicing stitch removal, listening to lungs for breathing issues, and problem-solving patient care scenarios. They also learned about diverse career opportunities in healthcare.
Students praised the experience, sharing comments like:
- "I liked learning how to take out stitches."
- "I loved that we got to actually do hands-on stuff."
- "I liked all the opportunities we got to learn about."
Future Ready: 8th Graders Dive Into Career Exploration at the CTC!
Eighth-grade students from Fruitport, Orchard View and multiple schools in Muskegon County recently had an immersive experience at the Career Tech Center (CTC), each exploring four different programs.
The diverse range of programs available for exploration included:
- Criminal Justice
- Health Science Academy
- Allied Health
- Hospitality & Food Management
- Agriculture and Natural Resources
- Welding Technology
- Engineering Design Thinking
- Graphic Design
- Teacher Academy
- Machine Tool Technology
- Construction Trades
- Auto Collision/Refinishing
- Electrical/Computer Technologies
- Software Design and Development
- Auto Service Technology
Students participated in a variety of engaging activities, such as welding, play testing student software projects, hammering nails, planting seeds, taste-testing local foods, molding soap, exercising creativity, repairing vehicles, gaining insight into teaching, taking pulses, learning about AEDs and CPR, and observing a deputy and his K9 dog in action.
The hands-on nature of the visit earned widespread praise from students, teachers, administrators, and school counselors alike. A big thank you to the CTC staff and participating schools for providing such an enriching experience for these 8th graders!
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 - Muskegon Area CTC
231.767.3628
Schedule a time to meet with me here!
Please forward this newsletter to teachers and staff in your buildings so fellow educators can "subscribe" to get monthly career exploration newsletter updates!