New Counselors Providing Career Information to Northern Michigan Students

Two new counselors are teaching students about career pathways in three northern Michigan Intermediate School Districts. A state grant, awarded to the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District, in collaboration with the Wexford-Missaukee and Char-Em Intermediate School Districts, allowed for the hiring of the counselors. The ISDs are contracting with Northwest Michigan Works!  to provide the counselors who are coordinating career awareness activities, resources, and guidance to students related to career pathways. The counselors will also work with students and teachers in 5^th, 8^th and 10^th grades to create Educational Development Plans that include consideration of future career goals.

“Many of our school districts have either limited counseling compared to their student number or have no counselors at all,” said Jim Rummer, Director of Career and Technical Education for Char-Em ISD. “The counselors funded by this grant will be able to fully explore career and technical education opportunities with existing career-tech students and those who could benefit, but who may not be aware of what is available to them.”

Dave Cox, Career and Technical Education Director for Wexford-Missaukee ISD, said the counselors will fill a need in his district as well.

“This grant provides us with a much-needed resource related to working collaboratively with local school districts to explore career awareness opportunities, beginning in elementary school and continuing well into high school,” said Cox.

 “We are excited to support students, schools, and employers with these staff members and curriculum materials,” said Jason Jeffrey, Assistant Superintendent for General and Career and Technical Education at Traverse Bay Area ISD.