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Every great player needs someone in their corner. Grab your breakfast and start your morning by connecting with your assigned peer mentor — reflect on yesterday, share what's still resonating, and continue building the relationship that will carry you through the next program year. The best hands are played together.

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All

Developed by JP Michel, the Challenge Mindset encourages young people to begin career exploration by identifying problems they want to solve rather than job titles they want to pursue. This session explores how a challenge-first approach can expand career possibiliites, help youth make connections between their interests and the world around them, and reframe how we think about career development.

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Specialists

A high school career expo is a lively, organized event where students explore different professions and future pathways. The space—often a gymnasium or large hall—is filled with booths set up by trade schools, businesses, and community organizations. Each booth is staffed by representatives who share information, answer questions, and provide brochures or small giveaways. Students move from table to table, learning about careers in fields like healthcare, engineering, education, and the skilled trades. Some booths include interactive elements—demonstrations, tools, or hands-on activities—to give a more engaging glimpse into the work. Others may feature visual displays, videos, or samples of real projects. The atmosphere is energetic but purposeful. Teachers and counselors often guide students, encouraging them to ask questions about education requirements, job responsibilities, and career growth. Overall, a career expo feels like a bridge between school and the real world—giving students a chance to imagine their future, discover new interests, and make early connections with professionals. JMG Specialist and Business Service Professional coordinate, outreach strategy and logistics to recruit trade schools, businesses, and community organizations. Together, we align goals, manage communications, confirm participants, and organize event details.

Specialists

Formed in September 2025, the OOS Community of Practice is a dedicated space for True OOS/Disconnected Youth specialists and managers serving youth ages 14–24 from Michigan Works! Service Centers — young people who have dropped out, are working toward a GED, or have graduated but haven't yet found their next step. Grounded in JMG's value of convening, this CoP exists to spark new ideas, explore peer solutions, and share resources that make a difference on the ground — building connections and strengthening our collective impact. OOS delivery comes with unique challenges that require real expertise, and often the best resource is someone doing the same work. This breakout session takes the place of our July meeting, seizing the opportunity to connect in person. Together, we'll dive deeper into our ongoing conversation around Youth Engagement.

All

Ready to move beyond the basics of "search and share"? Join us for a fast-paced, 45-minute deep dive into the hidden gems of the Google ecosystem that will transform your classroom workflow and amplify student voice.

In this session, we’ll move past standard spreadsheets to explore the "secret" side of the Google suite. You’ll discover:

Interactive Docs: Learn how to use smart chips, dropdowns, and building blocks to turn static documents into dynamic learning hubs.

Finding a voice with Vids: Explore how to use Google’s video editor Vids to create stunning movies that can even include a professional voice-over in a multitude of languages..

Multimedia Integration: Leverage Google Sites and YouTube in unconventional ways to create digital portfolios and student-led galleries.

Student Empowerment: Most importantly, we’ll focus on how to use these tools to provide students with choice, agency, and a platform to share their unique perspectives.

Whether you are a Google novice or a seasoned Power User, you’ll walk away with a toolkit of practical, "plug-and-play" strategies designed to make your teaching more efficient and your students' learning more visible. Give your students a voice and discover the tools you won’t be able to live without.

All

Are you ready to transform how your organization approaches student success, staff well-being, and long-term community trust? High turnover rates drain our budgets, erode student trust, and stall deep growth. True Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) cannot just look inward at our youth; it must extend to the entire network of providers, specialists, and leaders who show up for them every day. Join us at this breakout session to move past isolated stories of individual heroism and build a truly resilient, scalable workforce.

🛠️ Exclusive Interactive Session Feature! To turn these insights into immediate, real-world action, I will be providing an exclusive worksheet during the session. This practical tool will guide JMG Specialists through a hands-on examination of their own local networks—helping them map out the exact human, social, and structural assets they depend on to truly thrive.

Managers

Learn key statistics and best practices to help shape your relationship with Michigan Works! Business Solutions Professionals. Learn ways to improve communication and relationships to help drive employer program engagement.

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Specialists

Many students are interested in career pathways where traditional job shadowing isn’t an option due to safety concerns, liability restrictions, or workplace policies. This session will highlight practical, proven strategies to ensure students still gain meaningful career exposure—even when in-person experiences aren’t possible.

Participants will learn how to facilitate virtual career connections using video calls with industry professionals, giving students the opportunity to ask questions, hear firsthand experiences, and explore career pathways in an authentic way. This approach not only removes common barriers but also expands access to a wider range of careers that may not be available locally.

The session will walk through how to identify and reach out to professionals, prepare students to lead engaging conversations, and structure these virtual experiences for maximum impact. Additional strategies will include leveraging professional networks for referrals and helping students reflect on and extend their learning beyond the initial interaction.

Attendees will leave with ready-to-use ideas, tools, and strategies to think beyond traditional job shadowing and create meaningful, flexible career exploration opportunities for all students.

Specialists

Ready to move partner engagement from an occasional "special event" to a seamless part of your programming? Stop treating employer connections like an extra line item on your to-do list and start using them as the natural, real-world conclusion to the JMG Playbook lessons you are already teaching!

Specialists will leave with actionable strategies to transform standard JMG Playbook lessons into dynamic, hands-on engagement opportunities with employer and postsecondary partners.

Specialists

Michigan's workforce is only as strong as our commitment to reaching every young person, especially those disconnected from opportunity. That commitment demands relationship, persistence, and a deep understanding of the communities we serve. This session equips staff with a field-tested outreach framework covering where to find youth ages 16-24 and how to connect, messaging that works, removing barriers to engagement, and code switching to meet young people where they are. We'll explore high-poverty context, professional boundaries, and how to measure outreach success. Walk away with practical tools, real conversation starters, and a relationship-centered mindset for reaching the youth who need us most.

Specialists

This will decribe the beginning to finish interworking of putting on the ultimate launch party. This will offer different aspects of the party: student led, voice and choice, invites, who to invite, food, swag and activities, and formal or informal vibes.

Managers

Hiring helping professionals in today’s landscape is no small feat. Finding the passionate few who want to do this work is challenging enough—and retaining them adds another layer of complexity. There’s no single solution that fixes every staffing issue, but we will share the strategies that have made a meaningful difference on our team.

Learn from real-world experience with successful retention of outstanding Specialists and navigating staffing hurdles. In this session, we will offer practical ideas and program models drawn from experience in both urban and rural communities, as well as in densely populated and sparsely populated counties.

Join us to learn from our successes and our missteps, and to contribute your own insights for the benefit of the group. Together, we can move closer to building the dream teams our work deserves.

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Unlike Vegas, what happens at Summer Summit lives forever, including our annual group photo. Wear your Summer Summit t-shirt and get in the frame. Every winning moment deserves a picture.

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All

This panel discussion will explore one big question: How do we better prepare young people for success while creating stronger connections between employers, education, and the future workforce? This conversation is an opportunity for employers and workforce leaders to share honest insights about what they value most in youth entering the job market, the skills they believe matter most, and why investing in young talent is critical to Michigan’s future. Panelists will also discuss the important role employers can play in supporting career-connected learning and helping shape the experiences youth have before entering the workforce.

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All

Youth success doesn’t happen in a single moment or through a single partner—it happens through intentional alignment of opportunities across a connected pathway. In this interactive session, participants will physically move through the Partner Engagement Model - Explore, Engage, and Experience - to examine how youth access opportunities and how partners play a critical role at each stage. Through real-time reflection and collaborative discussion, attendees will explore where their strengths lie, where gaps exist, and how stronger cross-sector partnerships can better support youth progression toward meaningful outcomes such as credentials, employment, and apprenticeships.

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All

Ready to elevate your JMG program’s visibility and attract more youth? In this interactive, hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to design eye-catching recruitment materials using user-friendly tools like Canva. You’ll walk away with a customized recruitment flyer and practical strategies for promoting your program effectively within your community.

In addition to design and marketing tips, you’ll gain insights into what truly resonates with young people—highlighting the most effective recruitment strategies, messaging, and channels. This session combines creativity, real-world perspective, and actionable ideas to help you strengthen your outreach and connect with more young people.

Requirements:
Know how to access the JMG Resource Guide; have working access to a Canva account.Bring laptop

All

Participants will take a critical look at current job placement practices and explore how the USDOL Apprenticeship framework can help shift from quick job placements to long-term career pathways. This workshop will focus on using students’ IDPs, the 17 career clusters, and stronger employer engagement strategies to support youth in achieving both employment and postsecondary credentials. Participants will also learn Selling Skills strategies that strengthen active listening, relationship-building, empathy, and communication.

Many students pursue the first available job because it offers immediate income and feels like the easiest option, often without awareness of broader career pathways or confidence in their ability to pursue college. Apprenticeships provide an opportunity to earn income while building toward a credential and long-term career progression, with many programs integrating college coursework directly into the pathway. Michigan currently has more than 1,200 active apprenticeship programs serving over 25,000 apprentices, with average post-apprenticeship earnings exceeding $80,000 annually.

All

The presentation will highlight a successful, low-cost, high impact outreach and recruitment strategy designed to engage young people through a youth inspired "You're in Demand" Level Up Pop-Up Event. Developed with the assistance of JMG student focus groups, the branding, marketing, and events combine career readiness activities, community partnerships, employer engagement, and interactive learning stations to increase youth participation, awareness, and confidence around workforce readiness and postsecondary opportunities. Participants will learn how to replicate this scalable engagement model in schools or community settings with a budget of $300 -$500 serving 50 - 100 young people.

Managers

One moment, you’re on the front lines—supporting job seekers, solving problems, and helping others achieve their goals. The next, you’re leading a team, guiding staff performance, and navigating a whole new set of expectations. Diary of a First Year Manager explores the often-unspoken realities of this transition from individual contributor to leader. Through reflection, real-life experiences, and practical insights, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the leadership identity shift, common first-year management challenges, and the impact their mindset and energy have on their team. This session offers an honest look at growth, learning, and developing confidence during the first year of leadership.

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Every great player needs someone in their corner. Take this time to connect with your assigned peer mentor — reflect on two days of learning, share what's resonating, and think about what you're taking back with you. This relationship doesn't end when Summit does. The best hands are played together.

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Every strong team knows a winning hand is better when everyone's in on it. Gather with your manager and teammates to debrief the day, share your ah-ha moments, and decide together what you're taking back to the table. The best ideas from Summit shouldn't stay at Summer Summit.

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