Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates Students Attend Legislative Day and Career Development Conference

April 25, 2023

Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) students from northwest Lower Michigan had the opportunity to meet with legislators and develop their career skills at two separate events held recently in Lansing. 28 students attended the JMG Legislative Day on April 11 and 30 students attended the JMG Career Development Conference on April 21. Northwest Michigan Works! coordinates the JMG program at schools in the region.

At the Legislative Day, students met with their legislators to discuss issues that are important to them and their community. The students also took a guided tour of the capitol. Schools represented at the event included Boyne Falls High School, Cadillac Innovation High School, Cadillac High School, Mackinaw Trail Middle School in Cadillac, CASMAN Academy in Manistee, Crooked Tree High School alternative program in Harbor Springs, North Ed Career Tech Center, and the Wexford-Missaukee Career Tech Center. The northern Michigan legislators who met with JMG students were Senators Jon Bumstead, John Damoose, and Michelle Hoitenga, and Representatives Betsy Coffia, Joseph Fox, Neil Friske, and Curt VanderWall.

At the Career Development Conference, students participated in several competitive events including Career Preparation, Creative Problem Solving, Mock Interviewing, and JMG Bowl, a team quiz event where they learned about business, industry, and parliamentary procedure. Schools represented at the event included Cadillac Innovation High School, Cadillac High School, Mackinaw Trail Middle School, Crooked Tree High School, the North Ed Career Tech Center, and the Wexford-Missaukee Career Tech Center. 

Morgan McConnell, an 8th grader from Mackinaw Trail Middle School, earned 3rd place in the Career Preparation category. Dakota Jewett, a senior at Cadillac Innovation High School, was named exemplary youth of the year for the Northwest Michigan region.

“JMG has taught me how important it is to be a leader and show others compassion,” said Jewett. “JMG is also the reason I decided to go attend Northwestern Michigan College this fall.” 

Northwest Michigan Works! is proud to partner with Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) in serving the region’s youth. JMG is the leading program of Youth Solutions, Inc., a premier youth opportunity organization on a mission to equip young people with the skills to overcome barriers and win in education, employment, and in life. The JMG program consists of a comprehensive set of services designed to help young people achieve education and career goals. The purpose of this program is to inspire and connect youth to achieve a future beyond imagination.

     

Dakota Jewett                                                                                              Morgan McConnell