Michigan Joins National Middle School Career Exploration Impact & Learning Network
Youth Solutions and statewide partners collaborate to strengthen career exploration opportunities for Michigan middle school students.
Michigan is one of several states participating in the second cohort of the Middle School Career Exploration Impact & Learning Network, a national initiative helping states expand high-quality career exploration opportunities that prepare students for future education and career success. Youth Solutions joins state education, workforce, and industry leaders in representing Michigan through the collaborative effort.
Launched through a partnership between Britebound and Educational Strategy Group, the Network is committed to ensuring young people have meaningful opportunities to explore careers, connect learning to future goals, and make informed decisions about their educational and professional pathways.
As a member of the second cohort, Michigan is working alongside Idaho, Illinois, and South Dakota to develop a comprehensive action plan for advancing middle school career exploration statewide. Participating states focus on establishing a high-quality vision for career exploration, identifying and leveraging funding and accountability mechanisms, and creating implementation strategies that support local communities and schools. Student voice will remain central to the process, helping guide the state's priorities and future direction.
"Youth Solutions has long advocated that career exploration should begin before students are making decisions about college, training, or careers," said Roger Curtis, Executive Director of Youth Solutions, one of the participants of the cohort. "This opportunity allows Michigan to strengthen systems that help young people discover their strengths, explore career possibilities, and connect what they are learning in school to future opportunities."
Youth Solutions has long championed career readiness and workforce development initiatives across Michigan through its programs and services, including Jobs for Michigan's Graduates (JMG), YS Foundations, and Connecting Careers to the Core, helping students develop the skills, experiences, and support networks needed for success after high school. Youth Solutions' longstanding leadership in career readiness and workforce development efforts helped position Michigan as a strong participant in the second cohort.
"As a statewide convener, Youth Solutions is uniquely positioned to unite educational leaders and key partners around a common purpose: creating equitable opportunities for every student to explore careers, develop aspirations, and build a successful future," Curtis said.
Michigan joins the Network following the successful work of the inaugural cohort, which included Arkansas, Arizona, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Washington. Over the past year, those states developed a suite of adaptable model policies, a Joint Commitment Statement signed by several state education leaders prioritizing middle-grade career exploration, and other resources designed to advance this work nationwide.
The second cohort will build on that foundation by creating practical tools and resources that support implementation at the local level, helping educators and community partners translate statewide goals into meaningful experiences for students.
“Career exploration during the middle grades helps students connect their interests, talents, and classroom learning to future possibilities,” said Celena Mills, Director of the Office of Career and Technical Education at the Michigan Department of Education. “By working alongside states and national partners through this network, Michigan is strengthening opportunities for students to explore career pathways, build confidence in their goals, and prepare for success in whatever future they choose.”
Representing Michigan in the cohort:
Celena Mills, State Director for the Office of Career and Technical Education, Michigan Department of Education
Shannon Underwood, Board Member, Michigan School Counselors Association
Bernard Brown, Jr., Director of Career and Technical Education, Muskegon ISD
Stephanie Beckhorn, Director of Office of Employment and Training, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Equity
Lynn Bajorek, Senior Advisor, Office of Employment and Training, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Equity
Mike Smith, Executive Director, UP Construction Council
Karrie Brown, Business Solutions Manager, West Michigan Works
Roger Curtis, Executive Director, Youth Solutions
Sonya Blanzy, Deputy Director, Youth Solutions
Donna Rummel, Director of School Innovations, Youth Solutions
Why Middle School?
Research indicates that career exploration beginning in middle school helps students make informed decisions about their education and future careers, builds confidence, and increases awareness of diverse career pathways (Education Strategy Group & American Student Assistance, 2024).
Source: Education Strategy Group & American Student Assistance. (2024). Extending the Runway: A National Analysis of Middle School Career Exploration