Dear Area Counselors, career services staff, work-based learning coordinators, career navigators and educators,

As professionals who are in direct contact with students regarding career choices and opportunities available in the region, we feel it is very important to share career resources that you can use with students right here in the GLBR! If you're ever looking for something specific, please don't hesitate to reach out and ask! We'd be happy to help assist you in any way we can.

We intend to distribute the following newsletter of Career Resources for Counselors quarterly, so look for us in your inbox and share with anyone that may find this information of interest!

In learning and career exploration,

Lori Flippin

STEM Initiative Director

Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance

Remember the STEM Communications Toolkit?

This toolkit was created for school counselors, teachers, and other educators to make sharing STEM easier. The toolkit is filled with social media posts, email templates, logos, staycation material, video content and brand information. We continue to add more content for the benefit of students getting involved.

Staycation is quickly approaching. Many of our students stay in the Great Lakes Bay Area during spring break. Please find Staycation tools here: https://www.stempipeline.com/out-of-school-time/stem-passport-2020-2021/

Any suggestions on additional materials that could be of value in the toolkit should be sent to Lori Flippin at lflippin@greatlakesbay.org.

In a collaborative effort, Bay-Arenac ISD and the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance have come together to create invaluable connections and provide career information to the BAISD Career Readiness Teams Network. The network brings together School Counselors, Career Navigators, and other educators involved in post-secondary planning, aiming to provide students and families with essential career information and connections. Through engaging business tours and insightful industry visits, this initiative ensures a comprehensive exploration of potential career paths across all six career zones.

Under the guidance of Lori Flippin, the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance STEM Initiative Leader, our network of educators has embarked on visits to businesses in two career zones this school year. First, we had the opportunity to delve into the vibrant world of arts and communication at Studio 23, where a panel of artists and non-profit administrators shared their experiences. Next, we found inspiration in a presentation from Digital Creator Phil Eich with Hey, Bay City. This firsthand experience allowed educators to gain valuable insights and resources from professionals in the field.

The Engineering, Manufacturing, and Industrial Technology Zone was highlighted through a tour and career panel at Sk Siltron CSS. Educators witnessed innovative products and learned about the diverse range of career paths available in this field. This immersive experience broadened our understanding of the fascinating world of engineering, manufacturing, and technology right here in the Great Lakes Bay Region.

Additionally, our Career Readiness Teams had an enlightening site visit with the Army National Guard and learned from a panel of U.S. Army Recruiting Specialists. This visit provided educators with a broad look into the wide array of military career paths available within each of the six career zones. We also discovered the remarkable advancement opportunities available for individuals who complete programs at the Bay-Arenac Career Center. Furthermore, we obtained information about student mentoring and community-based programs, services, and activities aimed at enhancing learning and skill development in our youth.

Looking ahead, plans are being refined for our network to explore the Health Sciences sector through visits to MyMichigan Health, MDHHS, and Do-All, Inc. These experiences aim to equip educators with valuable knowledge about career and work-based learning opportunities. With this information, educators can guide students and parents in making informed decisions about post-secondary education and future plans, ultimately helping students achieve their goals and aspirations.

The partnership between Bay-Arenac ISD and the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance has demonstrated the importance of connecting educators, students, and their families with real- world experiences and helpful resources. By providing business tours and networking opportunities, we expose the BAISD Career Readiness Teams Network to various industries and career options. Armed with this information, educators empower students and families to make well-informed decisions about their future educational and career paths, ultimately leading to their success. Together, we are bridging the gap between education and the workforce, enabling students to pursue fulfilling and prosperous careers.

Stacey Meininger

Whole Child System Supervisor

Bay-Arenac ISD

Renee Aumock

Career Navigator

Bay-Arenac ISD

School Counselors and other educators involved in postsecondary planning in Bay and Arenac County can register to join this group using this link or by reaching out to Stacey Meininger, Whole Child Systems Supervisor, at meiningers@baisd.net. 

A message from a fellow counselor:

The Counselor Business tours have been a great learning experience for me as a School Counselor. Often there are businesses in the area that I don’t quite know what they do or the skills needed to apply. By going on the talent tours I have been able to explore more options for students and better prepare them for jobs and careers that are right here in our community. Businesses are able to tell us what they are looking for in candidates, what keywords to include on resumes, and what skills are beneficial for the job. Now, I am able to direct students to specific local businesses that match their skill set. The tour of the business is also helping me to paint a picture for the students of what the inside of the business looks like, what different areas of opportunity are available, and what a day in the life of an employee looks like.

By attending these tours I have been able to gain ideas of how to present opportunities to the at-risk students of trauma that I work with. At-risk students are often not ready to attend college right out of high school because they need money to help support their families. Because of these tours, we have been able to bring in representatives from local businesses to talk to students about apprentice programs they offer, which can provide at-risk students with a way to both continue their education and earn money at the same time. The tours also gave me the idea to develop a panel of former Bay-Arenac Community High School Graduates (who were also considered at-risk in high school) to come in and talk about the steps they took to get where they are today. All of this has helped students begin to understand that there is a way out of their generational cycle, and they can make something of themselves despite what they have been told in the past. The information we have gained and shared with students has brought light to the eyes of those who didn’t know these opportunities existed right in our backyard! It gives students hope for a better future!!

Katie Myers

School Counselor

Bay-Arenac Community High School

Teacher Apprenticeship

Did you know the Great Lakes Bay Region offers various apprenticeship programs in the region where students are able to “earn while they learn” to reduce or eliminate college debt?

As we prepare the next generation of teachers, apprenticeship programs provide new, viable pathways into the profession. Educators and counselors should make students and families aware that there are many innovative programs for students to consider as they leave high school. In Michigan, Teacher Education Apprenticeships are another one of the innovative apprenticeship options available in the region.

For teachers, that means apprentices take college coursework to become a teacher at the same time that they work in classrooms in a variety of roles, as they progress towards the goal of becoming a classroom teacher.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE), the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), and the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) have established a registered apprenticeship program to develop highly skilled educators in Michigan. The project started when an innovative partnership formed to address the teacher shortage crisis in Michigan. Dubbed "Talent Together" the partnership includes districts spanning 63 counties and 39 Intermediate School Districts that collectively serve over 1,019,000 students. To date, this is the largest education collaboration of its kind in state history.

Registered apprenticeships for educators are a new route for those with a passion to serve children as teachers and master their craft while they work in the classroom and are mentored by veteran teachers.

The Saginaw Intermediate School District is one of the lead partners working with Saginaw Valley State University and local school districts to implement the teacher apprenticeship program in Michigan.

"We are excited to begin registered apprenticeship programs for teachers in Saginaw County,” said Dr. Jeffrey Collier, superintendent of Saginaw Intermediate School District. “Registered apprenticeship programs have proven track records of producing strong outcomes for talented workforce development. This apprenticeship program offers opportunities for teacher candidates to advance their professional development, preparation, and experiential exposure within real, high-quality classroom environments with minimal cost investment.” 

The registered teacher apprenticeship program provides another layer of preparation for individuals who have the prerequisite skills to be a highly effective teacher yet lack the resources and formal training to receive the appropriate credentials. This is a fantastic opportunity to catapult educators who are currently in support roles into lead instructional/teaching roles. This program is beneficial to districts in the Great Lakes Bay Region in order to provide high-quality, committed teachers for students. 

The registered apprenticeship program does not change the requirements for entry into the teaching profession. Apprentices are still required to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree, graduate from an educator preparation program, and pass a teacher certification test.

Registered apprenticeships are an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway in which employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, and can receive progressive wage increases, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally recognized credential. Registered apprenticeships are industry-vetted and approved and validated by the U.S. Department of Labor and a state apprenticeship agency, which in Michigan is LEO.

Michigan’s registered apprenticeship program for educators uses a residency-based model targeting various pools of candidates:

• Students interested in pursuing a State of Michigan teaching certificate
• Current school district support staff
• Current school district stakeholders, such as community volunteers
• Career changers

College courses are paid for by the employing school that can take advantage of a variety of federal, state, and local funding streams to offset the employer’s costs. Wrap-around services are also provided to the apprentice as needed.

In some instances, an apprentice may come in with prior knowledge and experience, which is taken into consideration and applied to the process. Apprenticeships are often a game changer that level the playing field for people who may have always wanted to become a teacher but lacked the resources and support network. Apprenticeships increase in access to the profession, without lowering standards for entry, often results in more diverse workforces that better reflect the communities that teachers serve. 

For more information to share with students, parents and interested individuals, visit Talent Together.

Helping Students know Where to Look for Jobs

In today's rapidly evolving job market, the quest for employment opportunities can often feel like navigating a labyrinth of options. With countless platforms, websites, and resources available, counselors play a pivotal role in guiding students towards effective job search strategies. Identifying reliable sources for job postings is crucial, as it directly impacts the likelihood of finding suitable employment. From specialized industry websites to networking platforms and even traditional job boards, counselors must equip students with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate this landscape with confidence and efficiency. By directing students towards reputable and targeted resources, counselors empower them to embark on their professional journey and secure meaningful employment opportunities.

Next month, we will send area counselor’s a suggested list of online job search tools such as Indeed and LinkedIn, along with regional options like the Hey, Bay City! job board (https://www.heybaycity.com/jobs/). Watch your inbox for the Employer Talent Pipeline newsletter that will contain this resource to share with students.

Please share the resources in this newsletter to help expand the knowledge of students that are in the process of finding careers for themselves. Consider sending content to students, teachers of careers courses, parents and others you think may benefit from this information.