The 5th annual Youth Employment Fair was a monumental success and its biggest year—with 200 students in attendance. The fair was established by our Career Development Department in 2022 with the mission to connect local youth to meaningful employment pathways right in their backyard. Employers bring a wide range of opportunities, including full-time, part-time, and summer jobs, as well as internships, job shadows, and volunteer opportunities. But this two-hour event brings more than just opportunities—it fosters growth and encourages young people to build networking skills.
"We were thrilled by the diverse range of employers who participated in the fair, representing different career sectors," said Laura Saline, Career and College Readiness Coordinator at Livingston ESA. "By partnering with education, they help develop students by offering employment and work-based learning opportunities while coaching them in professional communication."
The idea to develop an employment fair that not only exposes our youth to long-term career opportunities but also showcases local companies came from two key questions: "How can we connect our industry with upcoming talent in our community?" and "How can our students see how their interests can translate to a career?"
It has since grown beyond those initial thoughts. With fluctuations in the market, the fair has continuously adapted to find ways to remain sustainable for both students and employers. This year businesses attended a Zoom session beforehand that focused on employer best practices and introduced a new interactive participation piece for the employer-sponsored prizes. Students have the chance to earn tickets based on their level of engagement with employers—empowering both parties. "We tried to find a new way to increase students interaction with employers," said Rebecca Holman, Early College Coordinator at Livingston ESA. "They took the first step in coming here and we know how it can be challenging to connect—we thought it would help encourage them." Based on the sheer number of tickets submitted, it was a clear success.
Beyond this event, the Career Development department helps students prepare through immersive experiences like Job Shadow Day, Manufacturing Day, and June Job Jumpstart. Early College students participate in professional skill-building sessions like interview skills, resume writing, and networking skills. They use what they learn for mock interviews with real professionals, several of whom attended the fair.
Practices, features, and refinements have been implemented throughout the years, including the use of Michigan Department of Education (MDE) Career Development Model (MCDM) career zone and career cluster icons. This model focuses on career awareness, exploration, and preparation for all students. By exposing students to these frameworks, the goal is to help them find connections in the zones and clusters that interest them and guide them on their path in life.
Though there have been many shifts over the years, one thing that has not changed is the power of our community.
Michelle Radcliffe, Assistant Superintendent for Career Development for Livingston ESA, said: "Even in a fluctuating market, this year's event proved the strength of our community's commitment—welcoming a record number of students and an impressive range of employers, all coming together to invest in the future workforce."
For more information about this event and career and college readiness programs visit the career and college readiness tab on the homepage.