9,200 Students Explore High-Demand Careers at MiCareerQuest Southeast, Celebrating its Fifth Year

• 9,200 students will explore more than 210 in-demand careers at MiCareerQuest's fifth anniversary event.
• Immersive, hands-on exhibits connect students with real-world professionals across high-growth industries.
• Regional collaboration strengthens Southeast Michigan's talent pipeline for the future economy.

Novi, Mich. - 9,200 high school students from 132 schools across six Michigan counties will engage in MiCareerQuest Southeast, the region's largest and most immersive career exploration, marking its fifth year on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.

The event features more than 210 in-demand careers in advanced manufacturing, construction, health sciences and technology. Through interactive exhibits and hands-on demonstrations, students will engage directly with professionals and discover pathways to rewarding careers in Southeast Michigan.

"By giving young people hands-on exposure to high-demand careers, we're not only helping them imagine their futures, but we're also building the skilled workforce that will keep Southeast Michigan growing and thriving," Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter said. "MiCareerQuest Southeast is what collaboration looks like when it's done right - educators, employers and workforce partners coming together to open doors for our students."

Since its inception in 2018, MiCareerQuest Southeast has connected more than 28,000 students with industry experts, educators and training providers. The event has earned recognition as the premier career experience for area high school students valued by educators, employers and workforce partners alike.

Results from last year's MiCareerQuest Southeast post-event survey highlights the program's success:

• 89 percent of students said they learned about career and training opportunities previously unfamiliar to them.
• 78 percent said the event helped them plan their post-high school education.
• 93 percent of educators said it effectively showcased potential career paths.
• 98 percent agreed it represented a strong cross-section of in-demand careers.
• 100 percent of exhibitors said it effectively showcased their industries to future workers.

More 2024 post-event survey results can be found at https://www.OakGov.com/MiCareerQuestSE.

"MiCareerQuest Southeast is an important collaboration between education, business and industry to spark the curiosity and interest of our young people in the wide variety of in-demand, rewarding careers available in our region," said Macomb Community College President James O. Sawyer, Ed.D. "The interactive career exploration event engages high school students in discovering possibilities for the future, while connecting to institutions that can help prepare them for this work as well as the local employers who offer these meaningful, high-demand job opportunities."

Interactive Exhibit Highlights Include:

• Advanced Manufacturing: 3D additive manufacturing; augmented reality welding; manufacturing robot programming; and automotive clay modeling.
• Construction: Hands-on activities in masonry, carpentry and plumbing; heavy machine operation simulators; lineman demonstrations; electric excavator operations; 3D mapping; underground utility simulations; and road construction.
• Health Sciences: Mock surgeries with life-like mannequins; physical and occupational therapy exercises; virtual reality medical office activities; nutritionist presentations; prosthetic design; and ambulance operations.
• Technology: Software programming; FBI evidence collection; electric vehicle development; semiconductor design and manufacturing; STEM career activities; aviation exhibits.

"MiCareerQuest Southeast gives students an authentic look into high-demand industries while exposing them to the benefits of union apprenticeships and skilled trades careers," said Lee Graham, Labor-Management Director for Operating Engineers 324. "Our goal is to ignite curiosity, confidence, and direction for Michigan's next generation of professionals."

Schools from across southeast Michigan, including Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Monroe, Washtenaw and Livingston counties, will participate. Larger groups of students are expected from Romeo High School (450 students), Oxford High School (425 students) and Fraser High School (400 students).

"Hands-on events like MiCareerQuest open our students' eyes to real-world career paths and inspire them to imagine their futures," said Lisa Butts, director of K-12 Career Focused Education at Oxford Community Schools. "Oxford High School is committed to connecting students with meaningful opportunities, and this event helps them explore, engage, and envision their next steps."

The event is open exclusively to pre-registered schools. Participants will rotate through four career quadrants during scheduled two-hour sessions at 8:15 a.m., 10:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Students from Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Monroe, Washtenaw and Livingston counties will attend, including large delegations from Romeo, Oxford and Fraser high schools.

MiCareerQuest Southeast is organized by Oakland County Michigan Works! in partnership with Michigan Works! agencies across the region, the Oakland County Department of Economic Development, the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, and numerous education, workforce and labor partners

Thank you to our sponsors:

Presenting sponsors include Oakland County, Oakland County Michigan Works!, Michigan Works! Macomb/St. Clair, Michigan Works! Southeast, and SEMCA Michigan Works! Platinum sponsor: Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation. Gold sponsors include Oakland Schools, Central Michigan University, Oakland University, Oakland Community College, Macomb Community College, Schoolcraft College, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Silver sponsors include Barton Malow Turner Dixon, Corewell Health, Trinity Health, Operating Engineers 324, and Get Into Energy (Michigan Energy Workforce Development Consortium).

For more information, visit https://www.OakGov.com/MiCareerQuestSE.