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Career Exploration

To maintain a thriving economy, students need to be prepared for high-demand, well-paying jobs, yet there are currently more jobs than skilled workers to fill them. This series looks at how schools are preparing students for the future workforce.

Future health care pros sample multiple career focuses

Kent ISD Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

The recent event was part of Kent ISD’s Career and Talent Development initiative focused on increasing career exploration, training and work-based learning opportunities for students throughout the region.

Educators and business leaders team up to help build school-to-work pipeline

Kent ISD Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Kent County educators and business leaders explore how to make students more aware of possible careers and connect them to job opportunities.

Career makers at work

Kelloggsville Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Students are learning skills and trades preparing them for the workforce and future careers through Kelloggsville’s school-to-work program

New math class uses real-world applications

Northview Morgan Jarema

A new math class is showing Northview Next Career Center students how the subject is used in real-world applications. It’s making a difference, in engagement and in their grades.

Superintendent to serve on Growing Michigan Together Council

Kentwood Erin Albanese

Superintendent Kevin Polston will be a member of the PreK-12 Education workgroup, looking for ways to grow the state's population.

Kent ISD launches CareerPrep 2030 initiative

Career Exploration Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Leaders shared thoughts on how to connect students to potential careers, help grow the local business economy, and build a pipeline of local talent to help fill current and expected employment vacancies...

Growing the next generation of educators

Kent ISD Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

By clearing a pathway to the field of education, the Teacher Academy has seen a growing interest among students...

Hands-on trades training before graduation

Career Exploration Alexis Stark

Crossroads Alternative High School students learn trade skills before graduation in welding and construction at Grand Rapids Community College’s Leslie E. Tassell M-TEC program...

A dose of reality

Cedar Springs Jane Lally

Middle school students learn about finances and budgeting in Reality Store class activities...

Ready for prime time

Grand Rapids Erin Albanese

Innovation Central students are receiving more tools, equipment and opportunities as an SME PRIME School...

Discovering the ‘why’ of career exploration

Northview Morgan Jarema

Grow MainStreet is helping the district — and middle-school students — connect many of the dots between today’s learning and career awareness...

New initiative aims to connect students with careers & schools with employers

Kent ISD Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Kent ISD expands career exploration and work-based opportunities through its new Career and Talent Development initiative...

Kent Career Tech Center and Kent Transition Center to merge

Kent ISD Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

The Kent Career Tech Center and Kent Transition Center merger, planned for the 2023-24 school year, is aimed at giving students more opportunities for career exploration...

Hands-on learning means expanded skills

Kent ISD Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

The pilot course in a planned merger of KTC and Tech Center programs shows signs of broadening skills-based learning to a wider student population...

‘I can’t imagine doing anything else’

Northview Morgan Jarema

This Northview Next Career Center grad discovered a new passion his senior year and landed a good job right out of high school...

Engineering internship helps Tech Center student explore career

Caledonia Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

Isaac Clark never knew how complicated making a box could be until he landed an internship at Michigan Lasercut...

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School News Network reports on the 20 public school districts in Kent County, which enroll more than 90,000 students. Founded in 2013, we are an editorially independent news site funded by Kent ISD, local districts and community sponsors, and powered by an experienced team of reporters, editors and photojournalists. We specialize in covering classroom teaching and learning, analyzing the many issues that enhance or discourage student success, and highlighting the education magic that happens each day in our public schools.

Northview grad is a future forest mapper

Teacher’s latest book focuses on motivation in education

Former principal returns to read, substitute teach at his old school

Fifth-grader publishes book, sequel to come

Future health care pros sample multiple career focuses

Young readers follow the recipe for perfect pound cake

Young engineers turn paper into a wild ride

Montessori students sound out the basics of bluegrass

Diving into social-emotional learning

‘The journey’s not over’: High-schoolers showcase Black history

Art contest celebrates kindness, compassion and community

Parade of Nations is celebration of diversity

Career Exploration

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