Pathfinder toolkits delivered to schools to help students explore career opportunities

Schools getting resources as part of Career Exploration and Awareness Month 

TED Media Contact: Dave Murray
517-243-7530 | murrayd5@michigan.gov

Dec. 14, 2017

LANSING, Mich. — Michigan students have the opportunity to explore the variety of pathways to good jobs that lie before them upon graduation from high school. And many Michigan schools have received a toolkit to help them do just that, said Roger Curtis, director of the Michigan Department of Talent and Economic Development.

Pathfinder toolkits have been distributed to nearly 2,500 superintendents, principals and counselors to help students take advantage of state resources designed to help them navigate Michigan’s expansive career opportunities and see the potential return on investments for the education and training needed for those careers.

Physical copies of the toolkits were sent to Michigan high schools, career technical education centers and intermediate school districts. Copies also were sent to Michigan Works! locations and veterans employment service centers.

Digital copies of the toolkits are available for anyone and at no charge at www.going-pro.com/toolkit.

“Students should have the ability and opportunity to start their career search early on in their education,” Curtis said. “The toolkits will help school administrators, counselors and parents begin conversations about what lies ahead for their students and how to best help them prepare for what they want to do.”

Toolkits provide districts and career and technical education centers with resources to help students engage in an active career search using the state’s new and award-winning online career path exploration tool, Pathfinder.

Pathfinder is a free resource that helps students and others look at potential careers, along with information about training, projected openings in Michigan and potential wages.

The kits include digital files for all documents and printable materials schools need to help students take advantage of the tool, in addition to worksheets, posters and promotional materials to help all celebrate the month and keep students engaged in the career exploration conversation.

“Pathfinder is an ideal resource for students use to figure out what they want to do, based on their skills and abilities, and find the pathway that’s right for them,” Talent Investment Agency Director Wanda M. Stokes said. “With Pathfinder, students – and all job seekers – can search Michigan’s top jobs with projected openings and expected wages, but most importantly, the pathways to those good jobs that are right here in our state.”

The distribution of the kits follows Gov. Rick Snyder’s proclamation of December as Career Exploration and Awareness Month, a month dedicated to helping Michiganders – and especially students – explore the array of career opportunities in the state and expose them to the variety of resources that can help navigate pathways to those opportunities.

A limited number of printed toolkits are available by emailing the Michigan Department of Talent and Economic Development.