Since 2002, a number of education and workforce agencies, and regional businesses have cooperated to provide regional “Career Exploration Days” for high school students.  These events were well attended and considered very successful.  However, we received a recurring comment from students and teachers over the years. … “make the event more hands-on”.  Based on those comments we have initiated a change from the previous “Career Exploration Days” model to a new “Career Expo” model.  This will provide a more interactive and hands-on experience for the students.  2007 was the first year this new model was implemented and the event drew over 1,200 students from 21 school districts to Southwest Minnesota State University.  In 2008 the event will expand to include two sites:  Minnesota West Community and Technical College-Worthington Campus and Southwest Minnesota State University.

The Southwest Minnesota Career Expo has the following objectives.  High school sophomores will:

• gain information about careers and educational options by attending interactive sessions, a career game show, and a career planning presentation.

• investigate career options that align with their skills and interests.
• improve job seeking skills and understanding of what employers need.
• become more aware of career opportunities right here in Southwest Minnesota.

Date of Events:  October 7 (SMSU), and Oct 8 (MNWEST-Worthington) of 2008

Time:  9:00 a.m. to 11:25 a.m.   or    12:15 p.m. to  2:25 p.m. (schools will be invited to a specific location and time based on proximity to the campus)

Participants:  2,700 area sophomores from the Minnesota West Carl Perkins Consortium (formerly the Southwest Minnesota and MRVED Perkins Consortiums) will be invited to participate.

Schedule of the day:

• 60 minutes with the exhibit area interacting with different careers
• 60 minutes at the “Career is Right” session
• No food will be served at this event.  Student should bring sack lunches to eat on the bus or patronize one of the many restaurants in Worthington or Marshall.  We will provide a list of possible eating establishments prior to the event.

Registration: To register your school, please click on this link to see the schedule of location and times for each school.   Registration is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Once you have seen the time and location assignment for your school, please email your confirmation to attend to Laurie.VanWatermeulen@swsc.org.  Please include the advisor’s name and contact information, confirmation that you will provide supervision at a 25 to 1 ratio, and the number of students attending.  Further instructions will be emailed to the advisor several weeks prior to the event.

Event Sponsors: Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council, Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Southwest Minnesota State University, Southwest Initiative Foundation, Minnesota River Valley Education District, SW/WC Service Cooperative, ISEEK, Junior Achievement, Marshall Rotary, and many regional businesses and service agencies.

Photo Gallery

For additional information about the event please contact:

Cori Ann Dahlager

Career Expo Coordinator

SMSU Graduate Office

Dahlager@southwestmsu.edu

Office- 507-537-6819

Fax- 507-537-6420