1,100+ Students Explore Local Careers at MiCareerQuest Northeast 2025

The 2025 MiCareerQuest Northeast annual career-exploration event was held at the Ellison Place in Gaylord on May 15th. Over 1,100 students, grades 8-12, from 22 schools across the 11-county region attended. The event featured 82 exhibits offering hands-on, interactive, career exploration in industries such as healthcare, construction, manufacturing, public safety, technology, and more. More than 320 working professionals participated in the event, volunteering their time and eager to share their passion for their respective industries. This event is coordinated by Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium and wouldn’t be possible without event sponsors including the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Opportunity, the Northeast Michigan MiSTEM Network, and many others.

This annual event provides a platform for students to engage with industry professionals and participate in interactive experiences. Each exhibit provided students with a hands-on activity and an opportunity to talk with professionals about their career paths and the skills and education needed to succeed in those fields.

With 37.5 million baby boomers set to retire in the next decade and only 21 million new workers entering the workforce, MiCareerQuest has a critical role in addressing the talent pipeline for Michigan's high-demand industries.

“We want to introduce students to the career possibilities available right here in northeast Michigan,” says Alicia Wallace, Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium Marketing Manager and coordinator of the event. “The excitement and energy behind this event is like no other! Students can experience careers that may or may not require a college degree, including many careers they didn’t even know existed. These students are the talent pipeline of our future and MiCareerQuest serves as a bridge that prepares students for rewarding careers and ensures our industries have the skilled workforce they need to thrive. We pull employers from across the region, including state agencies such as the State Police, Forensics Department, DNR, U.S. Military, as well as multiple training providers, including Northwestern Michigan College, Alpena Community College, Baker College, North Central Michigan College, Kirtland Community College, Lake Superior State University, the Marine Trades Institute, and Road Warriors Truck Driving School, to really give the students a taste of the career opportunities available in multiple industries, not just what positions are currently open with a local employer.”

Student and educator feedback was overwhelmingly positive:

• I had so much fun with my friends exploring different careers! – Hayden Hackl, Alpena Schools, 9th Grade

• There were a lot of different careers and I didn’t know about most of them! I learned about new opportunities, like working on boat engines. – Trenton Stephenson, Alpena Schools, 12th Grade

• I liked being able to do all the hands-on activities to help me decide what careers I find interesting. – Rosalie Harder, Fairview Schools, 9th Grade

• They explained things very well and each work station had things for me to do. – Chloe Faircloth, Onaway Schools, 10th Grade

• I liked how we could interact with all sorts of career workers. It’s awesome how many people were there ready to answer our questions and keep us prepared! – Ava Crowe, Inland Lakes Schools, 8th Grade

• I loved the interaction with each career station. It was so fun! I would love it if I could go again and do it again! – Collin, Gaylord Middle School, 8th Grade

• I enjoyed all the interactive stations and seeing the new things I can do after high school. – Sebastian Schittekatt, Cheboygan Schools, 8th Grade

• I liked how interactive and passionate everyone was about their jobs! – Lilyann Williams, Johannesburg-Lewiston Schools, 8th Grade

• I liked that we got to explore so many different careers and opportunities of what we could do with our future! – Kira Peppin, Johannesburg-Lewiston Schools, 8th Grade

• I loved that we could do all the hands-on things that kids don’t normally get to do. – Harley Slicker, Wolverine Schools, 8th Grade

• I liked that we were able to talk to so many people from different careers all in one place. – Addison Hyde, TRUTH Homeschool, 10th Grade

• “The entire event was very engaging and welcoming. Students felt comfortable asking questions and participating in the activities.” - Andrea McKay, School Success, Alpena Schools

• “Excellent event! Very well organized with so many opportunities. An excellent community resource – hats off to you!” - Missy Tallman, History Teacher, Johannesburg-Lewiston Schools

• “Great opportunity for our students and we can’t wait to come back next year!” - Ben Wilson, Assistant Principal, Cheboygan Schools