Inspiring Futures: Hartford High School JMG Students Host Interactive Career Fair for Middle Schoolers

Hartford High School’s Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) students brought weeks of preparation to life by hosting an interactive Career Fair for 8th grade school students. Held on Thursday, March 12, the event transformed the school’s Media Center into a hub of exploration, creativity, and inspiration for future career paths.

Jocelynne Gordon, JMG specialist at Hartford High School, shared the intention behind focusing on this age group. “We chose to focus on eighth graders because they’re about to enter high school and start making important decisions about their future. This gave our students the chance to teach what they’ve worked really hard to learn and research, while also having an authentic audience to talk to.”

A Project Weeks in the Making

The Career Fair didn’t happen overnight—it was the result of thoughtful planning, research, and collaboration. JMG students dedicated weeks to researching careers of interest, exploring key details such as job responsibilities, required skills, education pathways, salary expectations, and job outlook.

Each student created a trifold brochure using Canva or Google Slides, organizing their research into student-friendly formats. Students were challenged to answer a big question: Why is this the best career for others to pursue?

After presenting their work in class and refining their ideas through peer feedback, JMG students took the next big step—bringing their knowledge to a live audience.

Booths, Clusters, and Hands-On Learning

The Career Fair featured a booth-style setup, with JMG students grouped into career clusters, including health sciences, technology, education, business, and more. Each booth combined informational displays with interactive elements designed to engage middle school visitors.

To encourage further exploration, JMG students organized a Career Fair scavenger hunt, prompting attendees to collect brochures and complete challenges at various booths. Completed sheets were entered into a raffle, adding a fun incentive to stay engaged throughout the event.

From hands-on demonstrations to creative challenges, these experiences gave younger students a meaningful glimpse into different career fields—making learning memorable while connecting classroom concepts to real-world opportunities.

Student-Led Presentations with Purpose

Each presentation was both informative and persuasive. JMG students kicked things off with engaging introductions, using thought-provoking questions, meaningful quotes, and creative props to capture attention. One group even brought in their pet ferret to represent animal & environmental careers within the Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources cluster—an unforgettable and creative touch! They highlighted what makes their chosen career appealing, whether it be strong job security, meaningful work, high earning potential, or shorter training requirements.

Throughout their presentations, JMG students communicated complex information in ways that were easy for middle schoolers to understand, while still maintaining professionalism. They wrapped up with powerful conclusions, encouraging their audience to consider careers they may have never thought about before.

Building Connections and Giving Back

Beyond career exploration, the event also fostered a sense of community. Attendees were encouraged to support a fundraiser benefiting a Hartford family and fellow JMG students affected by a house fire, reminding everyone that events like these can also make a meaningful impact beyond the classroom.

A Successful Step Toward the Future

The JMG Career Fair was more than just a school event—it was a powerful learning experience for both the presenters and their audience. High school students strengthened their communication, research, and leadership skills, while middle schoolers gained valuable insight into future career possibilities. Events like this not only inspire future goals but also build confidence and connection across grade levels.