For the City Times

CareerView events connect academics to hands-on career possibilitie

Mid-State Technical College gave 282 students from area high schools a chance to explore various careers with CareerView events across its campuses in Marshfield, Stevens Point, and Wisconsin Rapids, March 3–17. Students selected four different program areas to explore and participated in facility tours and interaction with instructors and current students. Attendees also learned about the steps needed for college admissions.

Twenty Mid-State programs were featured from Mid-State’s offerings across the service, health, technology, business, technical and industrial disciplines. Hands-on activities included everything from preparing tax returns in Accounting, to working with high-fidelity mannequins used in the Nursing program, to learning proper rope-tying techniques and plant identification in the Urban Forestry Technician program.

A student life workshop also factored heavily in the event’s success, with one student commenting that this part was best because it gave “a really good idea of what college life will be like.”

“CareerView is a chance to familiarize prospective students with Mid-State, its programs and the many benefits of a technical college education,” said Jackie Esselman, Mid-State’s high school outreach coordinator. “We’re proud to say that CareerView also aligns with the Department of Public Instructor’s Academic and Career Planning (ACP) initiative, which helps students create and cultivate their own unique and information-based visions for post-secondary success.”

The benefits of CareerView and other ACP events go beyond seeing real-world career options that interest the student. Participating students also experience increased family engagement and relationship building, increased engagement in what they’re currently learning in high school, and stronger intentions to complete high school and attend a postsecondary institution or training, according to the Wisconsin DPI website.

For more information about the many in-demand, hands-on programs offered at Mid-State, visit mstc.edu/programs.