MICAREERQUEST
Save the date! ~ Wednesday, May 12, 2027 - The Ellison Place, Gaylord, MI
2026 What is MiCareerQuest? - Flyer
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EXHIBITOR REGISTRATION (2027 OPENS fall 2026)
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2027 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES coming soon
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SCHOOL REGISTRATION (2027 OPENS fall 2026)
2026 Busing Reimbursement Request - Schools
THANK YOU SPONSORS!
MICAREERQUEST NORTHEAST IS...
...a hands-on career readiness event for middle and high school students created to inspire and direct young people to viable careers in high-demand occupations and to address the need for future talent.
MiCareerQuest is an employer-driven event. Employer Champions - assisted by Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium staff - drive employer participation and the creation of student activities/exhibits. There is no cost to students or exhibitors to participate in the event.
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MiCareerQuest engages students through one-on-one conversations with professionals and hands-on activities that allow students to experience and hopefully, spark an interest in, the various careers. Regional ISDs help to drive student participation.
THE EVENT
Students will rotate through quadrants highlighting four industries: Manufacturing, Construction, Healthcare, and Technology. They will have appx 20 minutes per quadrant to participate in hands-on, interactive exhibits showcasing various occupations and tools-of-the-trade. Students engage in conversations with professionals who do these jobs every day, opening students' eyes to opportunities for great careers in Northeast Michigan. Participation in all quadrants is mandatory.
THE EXHIBITS
Employer Champions for each industry work with regional employers to develop interactive exhibits highlighting the industry and utilizing the tools-of-the-trade. Exhibits should be fun and engaging for ages 13-18, illustrating some aspect of the career they are highlighting.
Unlike career expos and job fairs, this event isn't meant to hand out corporate marketing materials or advertise job openings, but to introduce the workforce of tomorrow to opportunities they may never have known existed and get them excited about the industries.
SUPPORT FOR MICAREERQUEST
There is no cost to individual employers or students to participate in MiCareerQuest. The costs associated with hosting MiCareerQuest are covered by post-secondary educators and event sponsors who understand the importance of exposing young people to career opportunities in our region. In addition to industry funding and sponsorships, MiCareerQuest relies on in-kind donations and volunteers. MiCareerQuest offers a wide variety of opportunities for businesses and organizations to invest in the future of Northeast Michigan.
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Your sponsorship of MiCareerQuest provides important, one-of-a-kind exposure to career opportunities to hundreds of students. Your support will affirm your commitment to preparing our youth for viable careers AND lifelong learning.
HISTORY
MiCareerQuestâ„¢ was created in 2015 by West Michigan Works!, Kent ISD, and the Construction Workforce Development Alliance (CWDA) in response to employers' need for future talent in Construction, Healthcare, Information Technology, and Manufacturing.
I cannot get 9,000 students into my company alone, but what I can do is collaborate with my peers and my competitors and my educators and I can showcase the industry, in a way that's far beyond anything that I can do as an individual.
- Laura Elsner, Workforce Development Manager, DeWys Manufacturing
MiCareerQuest was an amazing opportunity for students to discover fields they have never heard of, and being able to associate that work with a local company makes it much more "real" to them. A teen who thought she might have a career in mind now has a half-dozen possibilities.
- Teacher Participant
With an aging workforce on the brink of retirement, employers are concerned about their future workforce. We need to expose youth to a variety of occupations and career pathways now, so they're aware of the career possibilities that exist in our high-demand industries. MCQ allows students to talk with professionals, ask questions, use the tools of the trade. It gets them thinking about what kind of work might appeal to them and informs decisions impacting their future.
- Jacob Maas, Executive Director, West Michigan Works!
2026 EVENT RECAP
Nearly 1,200 students in grades 8-12 from 22 area schools attended MiCareerQuest Northeast 2026 on Thursday, May 14, at the Ellison Place in Gaylord.
Hosted by Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium, MiCareerQuest Northeast is the largest one-day hands-on career exploration event for high school students in the region, giving students the opportunity to explore careers through interactive activities and direct engagement with working professionals.
This year’s event featured 78 exhibitors showcasing more than 130 in-demand careers in industries including healthcare, construction, manufacturing, technology, and public service.
More than 300 professionals helped bring careers to life through hands-on demonstrations and real-world career insights, while 55 volunteers supported the event and helped ensure the day ran smoothly.
“This incredible career exploration event shares insight into the opportunities available to students across our region,” said Jessica Topp, CEO of Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium. “Events like MiCareerQuest Northeast highlight the importance of connecting education, workforce development, and industry to inspire the next generation. We are grateful for the sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, and schools who came together to make this event possible.”
School and employer partners praised the event’s impact.
“This is the very best educational experience for the entire school year. Just incredible! Thank you!!” said Charles Foreman, Student Services Coordinator and Human Resources Administrator with Wolverine Schools.
“Outstanding job! Seamlessly managed event. Thanks for having us,” said Nick Jarvis, Talent Acquisition and Engagement Specialist and HR Manager with Moran Iron Works.
MiCareerQuest Northeast serves as a valuable connection point between students and the region’s future workforce, helping young people discover career paths available in their own communities while building awareness of the education and training needed to pursue them.
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