MiCareerQuest Middle Michigan will showcase occupations in five industry sectors:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Agribusiness
• Construction
• Health Sciences
• Information Technology

Each industry sector will feature a variety of in-demand, rewarding jobs that have a talent shortage today — and where it is anticipated there will be even great demand in the future. Students will visit all sectors during their visit.

We encourage schools to work with students prior to the event so that each is prepared to make the best of the event by determining their preferred career pathways and “must see” jobs.

Students will participate in one of four 90-minute sessions. Each of these sessions will be split into four blocks, giving students the opportunity to visit each sector (note that Information Technology is included in EACH sector). This does not include time to check-in your school in advance, or depart the venue.

Lanyard, badge and school ribbon must be on display at all times. Drawstring backpacks provided must also be worn. Students should follow their school’s dress code. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are required – please no sandals or flip flops. Long pants also are recommended – no shorts or dresses. In addition, no loose hanging jewelry should be worn. Outside backpacks and coats are not allowed – they should remain at school or on board the bus.

All students will be subject to their school’s student code of conduct. Once inside, they will not be allowed to leave the building until they depart for the return trip to their schools. (In the event of an emergency, volunteers will instruct students where to go.) Fighting, foul language and other disrespectful behavior toward anyone will not be tolerated at any time. There is no smoking or vaping allowed in the building. Volunteers will lead the students from one industry sector to the next. Security officers and law enforcement will be present throughout the event to assure all rules are obeyed.

Starting Monday before the event, registered schools will receive lanyards, badges, and drawstring backpacks for distribution to students. Badges will be printed with school name on the front and information about a student survey on the back. Students must wear them at all times during the event. We recommend they are handed out on the bus ride to the venue. A limited supply of extra lanyards will be available at the school information desk the day of the event, if necessary.

The lanyards will be color coded, which identifies the industry sectors starting point (students will meet in the color-coded staging area at the front of the building). They will be expected to stay closely with their groups until the doors open to start the event.

We understand some districts may not allow technology use during the school day. However, at MiCareerQuest Middle Michigan we ENCOURAGE it! Employers and the event planning team will be actively using social media throughout the day and will be encouraging students to do so. Ask students to treat requests by businesses and event staff as if it were an employer/employee relationship.

Students will not be standing around at this event. The hands-on nature invites participation. We have asked exhibitors to highlight their occupations through engaging, interactive demonstrations and activities. Students may be building something, testing a product, driving a simulator, conducting surgery or exploring a new world.

A broad range of working professionals have volunteered their time to participate in MiCareerQuest Middle Michigan. They love their jobs and look forward to meeting your students and sharing the skills, education and other important information needed to succeed.

One of the best ways to learn about a job is to ask someone who does it plenty of questions. The volunteers in the exhibits are anxious to share information about what they do. They love their jobs and like to talk about them.

Let your students devise meaningful questions on their own. However, if they hit a snag, use this list below as a means to help them out:

• When did you decide to pursue a career in this field?
• What other jobs did you consider?
• What skills and education are required for your current position?
• What do you like most about your job? Least?
• Describe a typical day on the job.
• What personal qualities or abilities are important to being successful in this job?
• Do you work alone or on a team most often?
• What can cause stress on this job?
• What is your perception of the job outlook for this career field?
• What are some surprises you’ve had in this job?
• Were you employed in another profession before taking this job? If so, why did you change?
• What kind of training do companies like yours provide incoming employees? What skills are you expected to have beforehand?
• What advice would you give someone considering this same career?

You and your students will be spending less than a half hour in each industry sector, with a few minutes in between to gather and move on to the next one. Music will be played overhead indicating it is time to move to the next sector. Event volunteers will help direct students to the next sector. After the last sector, they will head to the back exit area.

Students are required to visit all four industry sectors, so they may not have the chance to visit each exhibitor, especially if one or more really grabs their attention. Please encourage them to use their time wisely. We strongly suggest your students prepare in advance a list of occupations they do not want to miss (see list in school guide).

We encourage you and your students to share your experiences at MiCareerQuest Middle Michigan with friends, family and other via social media using #bestofquest.

We expect local media to report on MiCareerQuest Middle Michigan. If a television or newspaper reporter or photographer approaches you or your students, we encourage you to talk to them about the event or have your picture taken, if you are comfortable. Please note, news media typically do not need a student’s approval to be included in photographs and video footage used to cover a news event such as this. Regardless, all students attending MiCareerQuest Middle Michigan should have a signed marketing/publicity waiver at their school.

Everyone’s safety is a top priority at MiCareerQuest Middle Michigan. In the event of an emergency, law enforcement, security team and event volunteers will quickly direct the school chaperones and students on what to do. There is a first aid station on the exhibit floor as well as an emergency snack station if needed.