Career Counseling Corner
Wayne RESA's Career Counseling Summer 2023 Newsletter
Wayne RESA's Career Counselors & Postsecondary Navigator bring you up-to-date information to help assist your child on their career journey. With the support of our local schools, we aim to provide resources leading to career and postsecondary success for all Wayne County students.
Why More Young People Are Exploring Jobs That Connect To A Greater Purpose
As we enter the warmer months of the year, we’ll naturally begin to spend more time outdoors. Lakes, hiking trails, zoos, campsites, and the beautiful beaches, across our state, will be filled. At other times of the year, we can enjoy the beauty of fresh snow in winter and the spectacular colors of autumn leaves.
In all of our enjoyment, we may be unaware of the resources and professionals needed to keep our land and waterways protected, beautiful, and safe. Geological technologists, conservation scientists, conservation officers, and wildlife biologists are only a few of the positions in the background. There are also park rangers, landscape architects, engineers, and educators creating local community programs.
According to a recent Forbes article, "Why More Young People Are Exploring Jobs That Connect To A Greater Purpose", author Mark Perna asserts that many younger workers have begun to reassess their goals and express an increased interest in these outdoor related careers. He writes:
"Disillusioned with office life, many younger workers believe a more active, outdoor career would deliver a sense of adventure and purpose.
The economic outlook continues to remain uncertain, especially in the wake of the recent banking challenges and continued layoffs in the tech sector. The shakiness in what have traditionally been popular industries for young people to pursue employment seems to be having an impact, with many now considering alternative paths in the formative years of their careers.
According to a February 2023 survey of more than 1,000 Millennial and Gen-Z-aged young people conducted by the workwear brand Carhartt, nearly half (48%) of the respondents expressed uncertainty in their future career paths. A similar percentage of respondents (44%) reported that “finding a job that aligns with my values” was their top challenge in today’s job market."
Continue the article here:
As we work to explore this interest, here are some additional resources to add to your toolbox:
- DNR Opportunities: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/careers
- Be Agriculture Careers: https://miagclassroom.org/edu/career/
- CareerOneStop: https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Learn/CareerClusters/agriculture-food-natural-resources-career-cluster.aspx
Careers That Connect To A Greater Purpose
Because our audience could vary, you might consider this: You can learn more about career descriptions, watch videos, see the average earnings, and learn about what education is needed to begin in most any career field. One suggested resource is Career One Stop. Below are some careers related to the outdoors that may fulfill that need for a greater purpose. Are there any that spark an interest?
Environmental Restoration Planners
Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
Experience Is the Best Teacher
As the class of 2023 wraps up the final weeks of their high school career and ventures out into the next stage, it can bring about a range of emotions. Feelings from relief, pride and joy all the way to shock, worry and fear can be a normal part of this transition.
The last 4 years have involved so many different memorable experiences and influences, however, the vast majority of which have been within the relatively controlled and predictable environment of the K-12 system. The next several months to a year will inevitably see challenges emerge with this newfound freedom and creative control.
In working with recent high school graduates over the last two years, several life lessons have been learned from them that many feel obligated to share now. One of those is the importance of staying open-minded and taking opportunities to gain experience. Many of the graduates of the last two years have realized how quickly life circumstances can change as they’ve lived through navigating high school and beyond during a pandemic. Thus, they understand how important it is to create career traction knowing that their career paths may change but their skills will remain.
It’s not uncommon for graduating seniors to change course in some way from their original goals. In fact most statistics show that of those pursuing college or university about 50% will change their majors within that first year. So while this isn’t far-fetched, it’s more important to be intentional with how to use the first summer and full year post-graduation to set you up for more success long-term.
One of the biggest ways is to build more transferable career readiness skills that employers want. This ensures that even if the career direction changes, your employability maintains momentum. Some of the most effective ways to build these skills over the summer include:
Work part-time/full-time jobs over the summer
Enroll into a pre-apprenticeship program in a trade of interest
Take an online certification program in a versatile skill like programming or project management
Volunteer with a local non-profit that serves a group you care about
Job shadow with multiple professionals in career paths of interest
Every newsletter we'll shine the light on a different career field with our Workforce Spotlight!
An Esthetician provides skincare treatments to face and body to enhance an individual's appearance. Includes electrologists and laser hair removal specialists.
Flowcode & Linktree
What is a Flowcode? A Flowcode is a branded QR code, scannable by cell phone cameras. Once scanned, it will take the user to our Wayne RESA Department of Workforce Development's linktree. Our linktree page, houses all of our links to a variety of important resources and events.
Check out our Wayne RESA flowcode & linktree today!
Success = Having a Plan of Action
Students who have a plan for after graduating from high school are more likely to follow through and succeed where others may not. According to a Newsweek article in June 2022, “A third of Americans (34 percent) had no life plan after completing school, whether it was high school or college, according to a new poll. The survey of 2,000 adults looked into people's sentiments surrounding life entering adulthood and found that similarly, 41 percent didn't have a job lined up after graduation.”
One element of a successful plan after high school is having a checklist to ensure you know what tasks need to be completed to achieve your goal. We’re here to help. Please use the two- and four-year checklists as a guide to follow. We will be offering checklists for entering the workforce, armed services, and skilled trades in the future.
Financial Aid
The Michigan Achievement Scholarship Aims to Close the Skills Gap in Michigan
In October of this year, Governor Whitmer signed Senate Bill 842 which establishes the Michigan Achievement Scholarship for future high school graduates, starting with the Class of 2023. $250 million has been appropriated for this program which aims to reduce the need for student loans and to increase postsecondary enrollment.
Students will have access to increased aid which includes the following:
- Up to $2750 to attend a community college, per year, for up to three years
- Up to $5500 to attend a public university, per year, for up to five years
- Up to $4000 to attend a private university, per year, for up to five years.
- Up to $2,000 if they attend an eligible private training provider in Michigan, per year, for up to two years
What Does This Mean For Students?
Students who may not have qualified for need-based aid in the past may qualify for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. During a data review, it’s estimated that approximately 90% of Michigan high school graduates will qualify for support through this initiative even if they don’t qualify for additional forms of need-based aid. The award was created to increase access for all students, even those with a moderate need.
School counselors and career development professionals can also encourage students to apply who may not have exemplary grades. Unlike many scholarships, there is no grade point average or test score requirement for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. Students, who may have struggled in high school, could use this scholarship to launch a fresh start at a local community college, university, or training program. With more class options and career-focused opportunities, some students demonstrate achievement and grade improvement at the postsecondary level. Short-term certificate programs in the professional trades and associate degrees are options with the Michigan Achievement Scholarship.
What should students do to qualify:
- Students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Create an MiSSG Student Account in 3-5 business days after filing the FAFSA.
- Apply to a Michigan training program, college, or university
To be eligible, students should enroll full-time, be a Michigan Resident, and enroll within 15 months of high school graduation. To learn more and stay up to date regarding the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, visit : MiAchievement.org. The Michigan College Action Network (MCAN) recently recorded a webinar focused on the Michigan Achievement Scholarship. It can be viewed here.
Source: https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/press-releases/2022/10/11/gov-whitmer-signs-bipartisan-michigan-achievement-scholarship-bill
💲 FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid 💲
Understanding Your Award Letter (Seniors!)
Financial aid award letters can often times be difficult to understand. That is why MI Student Aid has developed the Understanding Your Award Letter web page!
High school students and their families/caregivers interested in learning more about this helpful resource are encouraged to watch a recorded informational webinar provided by Michigan Department of Treasury’s MI Student Aid team.
Participants will be able to:
- Gain a better understanding of how to approach comparing multiple college financial aid award letters
- Utilize online tools to help you make the best financial decision
- Better understand the individual awards offered and applicable requirements of scholarships, grants, and Federal loan options
- Identify additional scholarship search resources and easy to use budgeting tools
- Submit general aid related questions via Q&A and receive real-time answers from Michigan Department of Treasury’s MI Student Aid team
Financial Aid News for Juniors
The summer is time for juniors & their caregivers to get a head start on their financial aid planning. Here are some steps recommended for rising seniors and their families.
- Create an FSA ID - Your FSA ID acts as a username and password for your financial aid application. Separate FSA IDs are required for parents/guardians and students. Go here to create your FSA ID and store it in a safe place. Your FSA ID connects to your social security number and is only created once.
- Curious about how much financial aid assistance your student could be eligible for? Use the Federal Student Aid Estimator to estimate your student's financial aid.
- Add December 1st to your calendar. This is the new date that the FAFSA 2024-2025 application will become available. Class of 2024 should complete the FAFSA application for the year they'll first be enrolled in college or trade school.
- The FAFSA is improving for next year! The Better FAFSA Better Future Roadmap campaign spreads awareness of the changes to the FAFSA process and form. Follow all updated information here.
- Explore Scholarships - Scholarship awards often run in cycles and occur annually. Read your school's local scholarship board or website for annual scholarships regularly. Also, check out MI Student Aid Scholarship Best Practices for more information.
Summer Events
Remember to check out local recreation departments, libraries, and other community resources for additional summer camps and events.
GIS Summer Camp for MS and HS Students (FREE)
Registration is open for the Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) Summer camp June 20-22.
Join us for our third annual GIS Summer Camp
We invite students to come learn about the opportunities to use GIS and drone technology in their local community.
When: June 20-22, from 9:00am- 3:00pm
Where: Frederick Douglass Academy, 2001 W Warren Ave, Detroit, MI 48208
Who: Any high school student interested in learning more about drones and cool technology.
- Will have Lidar presentations, Trimble, Water presentations, Geocaching, etc https://fda-gis-pathways-program-romogis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/gis-summer-camp
CCS - Center for Creative Studies
CCS is offering virtual career events to learn more about their majors & a future career in:
- * Entertainment Arts - Animation
- * Entertainment Arts - Game Design
- * Art Education
- * Illustration
- * Interior Design
- * Film
- * Communication Design
- * Photography
- * Product Design
.... and more
CCS Precollege Summer Experience
Detroit Zoo Safari Camp
University of Michigan Joy of Coding
Michigan Technological University Summer Youth Programs
Michigan State University Camps & Programs
Oakland University Summer Camps & Workshops
Join us for another year of Spark! Camps at the Michigan Science Center. Campers will explore Mi-Sci’s 220+ interactive exhibits, engage in immersive theater experiences, and investigate science phenomena through hands-on activities and experiments.
Whether it’s preparing for human exploration on Mars or experimenting with different states of matter, kids will be inspired to discover new concepts in a safe and engaging environment.
Questions? Contact: Camps@mi-sci.org
Wayne State University College of Engineering Summer Academy
details on page 12 of summer catalog
Internships, Volunteering & Work Experience
DIA Teen Art Council
What is the Teen Arts Council?
The Teen Arts Council is a group of 12 high school students who design and implement meaningful, empowering, and entertaining programs for metro Detroit teens. Focused on community building, social justice, and culture, this group of creative and energized teens seeks to create a space within the Detroit Institute of Arts that gives voice and a creative outlet to youth.
As employees of the Detroit Institute of Arts, the council builds relationships with museum staff across departments, as well as museum partners, allowing them to expand their network of artists, local college faculty, and museum professionals.
Urban Alliance Paid Internships for High School Seniors
SEMCA - Michigan Works! Paid Work Experience
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