Making Career Exploration Meaningful and Manageable: A YS Foundations Success Story

It was just a few years ago that career development was more of an aspiration than a reality for Shelby Middle School (SMS), located in the rural heart of Oceana County, Michigan. At the time, SMS staff found themselves in a position that has become familiar for many schools across the state: trying to find a way to spark career awareness in their students with limited time and resources. Efforts to introduce students to postsecondary pathways were limited to staff trying to fit in career conversations wherever time allowed. Career Day events happened occasionally, but they weren’t fully developed or aligned to broader learning goals. Lessons were sporadic and surface-level, with a few career activities and some digital exploration tools thrown in. There was interest, but no clear structure—and limited known impact. For many students, especially those without direct exposure to a variety of careers, the concept of “career exploration” remained abstract.

“Career education was happening, but it was not to the depth and breadth that it is now,” school counselor and career development lead Rachel Dobben explained. 

School leadership recognized the opportunity to elevate their efforts and began seeking a solution that was both impactful and practical. The school needed a comprehensive approach—one that would engage students while meeting state mandates, yet be manageable and sustainable for educators who were already dealing with a packed school schedule and limited resources. 

The Transformation: Strategic Partnership with YS Foundations

It was Alyssa Merten of the Oceana College Access Network and Wendy Wells of West Shore Educational Service District who brought the Foundations service to the attention of then-principal (and now Superintendent) Mark Olmstead.

Olmstead was attracted to the structured and supported solution that included an assessment of the district’s current tools and curriculum, as well as the model’s alignment with both the Michigan Career Development Model (MCDM) and Michigan Integrated Continuous Improvement Process (MICIP). In 2022, Shelby Middle and High Schools became the first sites to pilot Youth Solutions’ Foundations service. 

“The timing aligned perfectly with the schools’ vision to expand and formalize career development efforts,” said Dobben.

Since then, the partnership has evolved into a powerful example of how schools can reimagine career development—not as a standalone activity, but as a shared priority supported by consistent training, practical tools, and community collaboration.

YS Foundations helped both schools build on their existing programming—leveraging existing tools like Xello to meet state EDP requirements—and supported the development of engaging, hands-on experiences that bring career exploration to life. Career Days, for example, have grown from one-off events into dynamic opportunities that expose students to professionals from a wide range of industries—private chefs, optometrists, florists, forestry experts, and even professional athletes. Activities like edible flower tastings or tree propagation projects give students something to remember and spark new questions about the world of work.

Beyond enhancing direct student services, SMS has benefited from ongoing professional development, grant funding, and curriculum resources offered by the Youth Solutions team and YS Foundations service. Youth Solutions has also hosted multiple Connecting Careers to the Core (CCC) professional development events at SMS for staff, to show educators how to naturally weave career exploration into everyday instruction. 

“It’s helped teachers see the value in integrating career education,” Dobben said. “It’s not just ‘one more thing’—it’s a way to make learning more relevant.”

The Impact: Empowered Students, Engaged Staff, and a Stronger School Culture

The shift at Shelby Middle School has been both visible and meaningful, tying learning to careers. Through Career Days and the overall CCC approach, careers are not just highlighted during one-off events—they are woven into the ongoing culture of the school. Students leave Career Days energized, saying things like, “I had no idea that existed!” and “That was really cool.” They are identifying careers they hadn’t previously considered and asking thoughtful, specific questions during presentations.

Staff engagement has grown significantly, especially through participation in CCC. While the school’s Career Leadership Council (CLC) continues to evolve, there’s a clear culture shift underway. Teachers have become active contributors to career development efforts—not only by hosting guest presenters, but by sharing their own skills, side businesses, and experiences with students. Career Day mornings are now paired with Reward Day afternoons, turning them into highly anticipated events that blend learning and celebration.

YS Foundations helped the school take a strategic, sustainable approach to career development. By facilitating conversations around continuous improvement, helping the CLC identify areas for growth, and targeting professional development needs, YS Foundations supported the development of a schoolwide culture where career readiness is valued, prioritized, and woven into everyday learning.

In a rural area where access to outside resources is often limited, this work has been especially impactful. As Rachel Dobben put it, “If they don’t see it, they don’t know it. What better way to expand their horizons than to bring the world of work to them?”

“YS Foundations has helped us create something that I am immensely proud of,” Rachel said. “This program has become my pride and joy. It’s helping students dream bigger—and see a future that they didn’t know was possible.”