Showcase your business to thousands of students

AgricultureHealthConstructionTechManufacturingHospitality

Dec 19

MiCareerQuest, West Michigan’s largest hands-on career exploration event, returns on Wednesday, March 20, at DeVos Place Convention Center, 303 Monroe Ave NW in Grand Rapids. Nearly 9,000 students from Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Muskegon, Montcalm and Ottawa counties will explore high-demand careers through interactive exhibits and real-world interactions with professionals. Businesses and organizations can participate as sponsors or exhibitors to engage the next generation.

This interactive event connects middle and high school students from nearly 100 schools with professionals in a new industry this year – hospitality. Hospitality joins the other five high-demand industries featured annually: advanced manufacturing, construction, health sciences, information technology and agribusiness. Through over 100 interactive exhibits, students gain a firsthand perspective on more than 300 career opportunities while engaging in one-on-one conversations employers.

One of those professionals, Kelly Kroll, first attended MiCareerQuest as a Lowell High School student in 2014. The event introduced her to career paths beyond her mother’s healthcare environment and inspired her to pursue a career in manufacturing human resources. Now an HR Business Partner at Bradford White Corporation, Kroll’s journey exemplifies the lasting impact MiCareerQuest can have on students and the opportunities it provides employers to connect with future talent.

“As a student, MiCareerQuest was the first time I was introduced to any career exploration opportunities. It was cool being interactive and getting to try things out that we’d never experienced before,” said Kroll. “Now, as an employer, I know how important it is to be engaging and show students how this could actually turn into a career, not just a fun day off school.”

MiCareerQuest is a unique opportunity to address the growing talent gap as 37.5 million baby boomers are expected to retire within the next decade, leaving only 21 million emerging workers to replace them.

Exhibitors bring career paths to life through interactive, hands-on displays that captivate and engage students. These exhibits leave lasting impressions, showcasing the diverse and exciting opportunities available in high-demand industries while enabling businesses to connect directly with thousands of future professionals.

Sponsorships allow businesses to support MiCareerQuest while gaining significant visibility among schools, educators, and other employers. Corporate sponsor commitments are due by Feb. 7, 2025, and industry and educator sponsor commitments are due by March 1, 2025. Exhibitor registration closes January 10, 2025. For more information, visit https://www.micareerquest.org/.