MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – On Monday, at Northern Michigan University’s Jacobetti Complex while campus was empty for Thanksgiving break, classrooms were full of Marquette and Alger county middle school students.
For the second time this year, Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency (MARESA) held a day of connection and education on the careers these students can follow after graduation, with its CTExtravaganza.
“Its an important time in their life where they’re taking classes for their future, and they’re getting close to high school where they’re going to continue down some of these different paths,” said Erich Ziegler, CTE director at MARESA. “We’re connecting these students with professionals to learn about career options in the U.P.”
Hundreds of 8th graders were lectured by local outreach professionals involved in arts, business, manufacturing, health sciences, natural resources, and education. In different sessions, students learned about the potential roles in each field, as well as the contributions they can make to their surrounding communities.
Josie White from Bothwell Middle School says she enjoys the time away from class, while still being able to explore her future opportunities.
“We’re always at school every day, so it’s fun to come and do something new,” she said. “I’ve learned about all of the different jobs I could have working in a school, and there are a lot, I didn’t know there were that many.”
Following the morning, Marquette and Alger County high schoolers had the opportunity to visit the CTExtravaganza job fair in the afternoon, featuring over 50 contributors. After its inaugural event in May, MARESA now plans to continue the event on a yearly basis around the same date during the fall.
