Career Counseling Corner

Wayne RESA's Career Counselors & Postsecondary Navigator bring you up-to-date information to help assist your child on their career journey. With the support of our local schools, we aim to provide resources leading to career and postsecondary success for all Wayne County students.

Take a look at these opportunities for students this summer. Remember to check out local recreation departments, libraries, and other community resources for additional summer camps and events.

APPLY EARLY, Scholarships are available for some programs!

By Tanya Domina

Chair, Fashion, Interior Design, & Merchandising

Fashion Merchandising & Design, Professor

What Do Fashion Technical Designers Do? Fashion Tech designers turn clothing ideas into detailed instructions so they can be made correctly and consistently. Specifically, they

• Create Tech Packs: Develop detailed guides that show how a garment should be made, including sketches, measurements, materials, and construction details.
• Evaluate Fit & Prototyping : Test designs on models or in 3D software and make adjustments to ensure proper fit, comfort, and function.
• Collaborate: Work with designers and production teams to solve construction challenges and ensure designs are produced as intended.
• Ensure Quality: Review garments to ensure consistency in fit, construction, and color before production.

How is it different from a fashion designer?

Fashion designers focus on creating the look and style of clothing, while tech designers make sure those designs are built correctly, fit well, and can be produced.

Is this field in demand? Technical designers are in high demand across the fashion, sportswear, and accessories industries, especially as these industries increasingly rely on digital tools and data-driven decision-making. Salaries typically range from $70,000 to $90,000, depending on the sector.

What skills are needed? Digital Design, Garment Construction, Material Science, Problem Solving, and Good Communication Skills are desired and can be developed in the student's training.

To learn more about the skills needed in this field, alumni, and opportunities at CMU, continue reading HERE.

Every newsletter we'll shine the light on a different career field with our Workforce Spotlight!

High school counselors and career counselors play an important role in helping students navigate life after graduation. Whether students plan to attend college, enter the workforce, or explore training opportunities, both teens and parents often have similar concerns. In this section, we'll highlight frequently asked questions that counselors receive from students and families.

We received the following question from a reader:

What resources are available to help a student who is still undecided about their major or future career path?

It’s completely normal for students to feel unsure about their future, and there are many resources available to help them explore their options. Students can start with career interest assessments like Xello, YouScience, or Naviance to identify strengths and interests. They can also explore careers through O*NET OnLine or CareerOneStop, which provide information on job duties, salaries, and growth trends. Meeting with a school counselor, enrolling in a CTE course, attending career fairs, and participating in job shadowing or an informational interview are also valuable ways to gain insight. Encouraging students to stay curious and take small steps can help them build clarity and confidence over time.

What’s most important is that students know it’s okay to be unsure; many people change their plans or career paths over time. Students gain direction by doing (exploring interests, asking questions, and learning from real-world experiences).

Career counselors offer reassurance and clarity during a crucial stage of life. By answering these common questions, students and parents can see that there are multiple pathways to success and that with the proper planning, every student can find a fulfilling next step after high school. Do you have a question about future careers and/or next steps after high school? Complete this short form, and you may be highlighted in a future article.

By Postsecondary Success Navigator Brad Minton

For many high school seniors, the final months before graduation can just feel like a countdown to the finish line. While it’s important to enjoy the final stretch, don’t sleep on the value this time can have on narrowing school and career direction. With about 90 days left before graduation, students have a unique opportunity to explore career paths, test interests, and build practical skills before stepping into college, work, or training programs. Instead of simply coasting to the end, students who use this time intentionally can graduate with more confidence about their next step.

One of the best ways to use these final months is through real-world exposure. Job shadowing a professional for a day, interviewing someone working in a field of interest, or taking on a short-term internship .....

Proactively making time for health & wellness assists our students in achieving their career & postsecondary goals. In every newsletter, we'll offer tips & resources to help keep you & your student's wellness a priority.

By Career Counselor Dena Greene

In the Disney/Pixar movie, Inside Out, we met the emotions of Riley, an 11-year-old girl as she experienced a cross-country move. The five core emotions that managed Riley’s mind from headquarters were Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust. It was a box-office hit! Inside Out 2 was released in theatres. This time Riley was in high school and new emotions joined headquarters: Anxiety, Envy, Ennui and Embarrassment. Anxiety was a hyper-planner who constantly prepared Riley for every possible negative future outcome.

Anxiety's job was to protect Riley from "things she can't see” hypothetical future disasters. She commanded a team of internal illustrators to create endless "what if" scenarios, projecting negative outcomes into Riley's mind to force her to over-prepare.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, moderate, "everyday" anxiety can act as a beneficial, activating force, enhancing performance and safety. Key advantages include increased motivation and preparation for challenges, heightened alertness to potential dangers, improved focus, and greater empathy toward others. It serves as a natural protective response that can drive productivity and goal achievement.....

Need a college enrollment copilot this summer?

The Summer Elevate Program connects recent high school grads with personal success coaches over the summer months to ease their transition to their next school. This program is for ANYONE who'd like help finishing last items to start college, university or a trade program in the fall!

We're kicking off in late June, but you can sign up now HERE

No matter what step your student is at in their career journey, these guides have important links & resources to help them move towards success.

Complete the FAFSA to access grants, scholarships, work-study, and low-interest loans. It’s the first step to making college or career training more affordable. Don’t miss out on financial aid opportunities—apply today!

The Michigan Achievement Scholarship is designed to help recent high school graduates in Michigan receive funds for continuing education. Eligible students could receive financial aid to attend a college or university with the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, or for a career training program with the Michigan Achievement Skills Scholarship.

High school students and families interested in learning more about the Michigan Achievement Scholarship are encouraged to attend an informational webinar provided by MI Student Aid.

The Fashion Merchandising & Design faculty at Central Michigan University offers students the opportunity to explore Fashion as a career path. Students will engage in hands-on activities, interact with faculty and current students, and finish the day with a fashion show event, while meeting with the student designers & producers. Lunch will be provided.

Fashion - Behind the Curtain Friday, April 10th 2026

DAPCEP Saturday courses are foundational STEM courses that prepare pre-K to 12th grade students to pursue advanced STEM educational pathways. Taking place in both the Fall and Spring, terms range from 6 to 8 weeks (our youngest learners in the Explorers program participate for 8 weeks). Courses take place both virtually, and in-person. Topics include: artificial intelligence, robotics, aerodynamics, computer programming, coding, chemical and engineering, artificial intelligence, and many more.

CCS offers youth & teen classes and free online workshops. These are great ways for students to learn more about their majors & a future career in:

• * Entertainment Arts - Animation
• * Entertainment Arts - Game Design
• * Art Education
• * Illustration
• * Interior Design
• * Film
• * Communication Design
• * Photography
• * Product Design

.... and more

The spring season will continue with traditional hands-on workshops in the SmithGroup Detroit office and will dive into greater detail about the architecture and engineering disciplines at SmithGroup. They will feature discussions about tools of the trade, developing technologies, design coordination, construction, and much more!

Visit the website for details on registering for future workshops.

Scan the QR code or click on the image.