More than 500 sixth-graders from schools across Branch County learned about careers during the annual Kids Consider College event held at Kellogg Community College’s Grahl Center and the Branch Area Careers Center in May.
The event, held on May 14, was designed to expose students and their parents to a wide variety of career options to help families plan for the students’ educational future. This year’s event included representatives from fields including law enforcement, theater, science and technology, culinary arts and more.
“This activity is designed to assist area sixth-graders in setting realistic goals for future and career planning by providing a link between school subjects and careers,” said Josie Smith, a counselor at the BACC.
Speakers during the event covered information highlighting Michigan’s six “Career Pathways” – Arts and Communication; Business, Management, Marketing and Technology; Engineering/Manufacturing and Industrial Technology; Health Sciences; Human Services; and Natural Resources and Agriscience – and student leaders from the BACC taught students about the various careers stemming from more than a dozen programs offered at the Careers Center.
Bobbi Gagnon, director of the Grahl Center, said careers introduced to students during the event included nontraditional occupations for males and females.
“It is our hope that this event will assist students in building an excellent educational development plan for high school and into college,” Gagnon said.
Many community members donated their time for the career development event, including Steve Barone and Corey Brewer of the Coldwater Board of Public Utilities, Russ Bortell of KCC’s Admissions office, Shane Bresson of KCC’s Regional Manufacturing Technology Center, Tammy Douglas of KCC’s Learning Technologies Department, Paul Dove of the Coldwater Fire Department, Tara Franks of Bronson Veterinary Services, Jimmy Hill of Lakeland Correctional Facility, Bonnie Lyon of KCC’s Math and Science Department, Jackie Russell of KCC’s Nursing Program, Roberta Sarnicki of Infinisource, Jason Smith of KCC’s Math and Science Department, John Strzclecki of KCC’s Arts and Communication Department and representatives from LifeCare Ambulance Service.
For more information about the Kids Consider College event, contact Grahl Center Director Bobbi Gagnon at 517-278-3300.
For more news about Kellogg Community College, view our latest press releases online at daily.kellogg.edu/category/press-releases.