More than 1,400 students from 20 high schools across the region took part in the annual MiCareerQuest West Central event on April 23. The event, organized by Michigan Works! West Central, provides area ninth graders the opportunity to meet and speak with local industry professionals in high-demand careers.

A total of 71 local and regional employers, and training providers participated in the event, which was held inside Wink Arena at Ferris State University. Employers on-site were representing the healthcare and manufacturing sectors, as well as in-demand careers such as skilled trades, finance, first responders, IT and more. Training providers like Ferris, West Shore Community College and local career-technical education providers also were at the event highlighting their programs.

“MiCareerQuest provides all ninth-grade students from across our region with access to interactive exhibits, hands-on activities and gives them the opportunity to talk with industry experts,” said Shelly Keene, Executive Director at Michigan Works! West Central. “We invite ninth graders specifically so they can adjust their high-school education path if one of the careers featured at MiCareerQuest sparks their interest. For example, if a student really enjoyed one of the virtual welders, they can then plan to enroll in the welding program at their local CTE provider, and maybe further their education at community college or university. We’re hoping to ignite their career curiosities and get them thinking about what opportunities they will pursue after high school.”

Platinum event sponsors for this year’s MiCareerQuest West Central were Corewell Health Big Rapids Hospital, Ferris State University’s Welding Engineering Technology and the West Michigan Plumbers, Fitters & Service Trades Local 174.

“My favorite part about today has been seeing the interactions with kids. Some kind of come up a little bit shy, but then I think we get them trying our hands-on activity, and they really start to open up. They’re having fun,” said Jessica O’Neal, Nurse Manager for Surgical Services at Corewell Health. “I think it’s important for them to know there are so many different areas you can work in healthcare, nursing and other areas as well.”

Jason Finch, Business Agent for West Michigan Plumbers, Fitters and Service Trades union, has participated in MiCareerQuest West Central for the past two years. He enjoys helping students understand more about being a plumber/pipe fitter.

“The interaction with students, looking at their faces when we explain some of the stuff to them, that’s just really rewarding,” Finch said. “We have a lot of opportunities as far as career growth. … This is the best way we can get our name out there and explain to them what we have to offer. This is the best we to reach out to a massive amount of students in a really big hurry.”

Michigan Works! West Central hosted its first-ever MiCareerQuest West Central event in 2020, prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was held virtually for two years during the pandemic and returned to in-person in 2023.

In the first five years of MiCareerQuest West Central, organizers estimate more than 9,500 students from across its six-county region have had the opportunity to learn about high-demand career paths available locally.

“MiCareerQuest is the largest event we organize. It would not be possible without our dedicated staff, volunteers and employers,” said Jonathan Eppley, Communication and Marketing Manager for Michigan Works! West Central. “There is a lot to coordinate to make MiCareerQuest happen each year, but it’s incredibly rewarding to see the excitement on students’ faces when they find something that sparks their interest. The goal of this event is to expose the next generation of workforce to the wide variety of high-wage, high-demand career opportunities available in our region.”

Michigan Works! West Central has service centers in Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oceana and Osceola counties, and offers a variety of services to both employers and job seekers. For more info or to find your local center, please visit MWWC.org.