I’ve been fortunate to have a career as a creative professional. But in high school, I had no career guidance. I had to attend university for an extra year, because I declared my major too late.
After college, I moved back in with my folks, without a feel for what I was here to do, to be. An adult in age, I remained an adolescent in psyche. I was, to paraphrase Dustin Hoffman’s character in The Graduate, just drifting in the pool.
So as I interview Cris Robson of Michigan Works! and Jennifer Weot of Macomb County Planning and Economic Development, it is with the bittersweet wisdom of hindsight that I say: these programs would have absolutely transformed my life.
“Eight kids came today,” Jennifer tells me, "to look at the different areas of marketing. It was really interesting to hear their feedback afterwards; 'I thought I really wanted to get into graphics…now I don't know if I want to get into marketing at all.' That's great, that’s fine.”
“That's exactly what a business tour is supposed to do: help young people learn about the choices they have,” says Cris.
“And that's what we tell people,” Jennifer adds. “‘It’s still a win. At least you didn't figure it out two years into college.’”
Jennifer runs an initiative called ‘Fueling the Talent Pipeline.’ The goal: connect Macomb County businesses to school districts, to expose the kids to industries and careers. In the two Ford NGL (Next Generation Learning) Academy districts, high schoolers get to narrow down their career path through experiences.
Cris and Michigan Works! help young adults from 18 to 24 who are, like I was at that age, drifting.
Jennifer’s program, Ford Motor Company's Ford NGL, started in Nashville two decades ago.
“Nashville was In big trouble as a district,” says Jennifer. "Almost 20 years later, they’re at a 90% graduation rate. It's really amazing.”
I ask how Ford NGL works.
“Every kid in ninth grade, they do a ton of career exploration. At the end of ninth grade, the students have to choose an academy for the rest of high school. Then their curriculum completely changes.
"They're all now taught through the lens of the academy that they're in. So a math class for a health program is going to look completely different than a math class for manufacturing.”
In tenth grade, the kids experience what a career is like in their chosen ‘academy.’
“They have to go on an industry tour in whatever academy they've chosen,” Jennifer explains. “So if they've chosen medical, they'll do a tour of a hospital maybe.
“If they still feel like they're on the right track, in junior year they go on a job shadow, spending the day with someone in the field to see what a day in the life would be like.
“Senior year, the ultimate goal is some sort of internship, work-based learning where they actually get paid. So they can decide, ’Is this the route I want to take?’
“Now some students will say yes and some no, but we see it as a win because even if they change directions, it's done at no cost while they're young. They've learned what they don't want and that's still checking off a box.”
Every student in the Ford NGL districts has to participate. Ford NGL is now worldwide, but as Jennifer says with pride, "Macomb is the only county in the United States that has two Ford NGL districts.”
So if I’m a Macomb high schooler, I’m set up for success. But what if I’ve gotten past high school and I’m still lost?
Michigan Works! programs will help me get found.
Cris starts with a history lesson: in 2014, federal workforce development, traditionally focused on high schoolers, shifted focus to 18- to 24-year-olds struggling to launch into the labor force.
"We run programs for young adults," Cris says, "who we call ‘Young Professionals.' These are 18- to 24-year-olds who need help figuring out, ‘What am I supposed to be doing?'
“A lot of young adults feel that somehow they’ve missed it, they've messed up. Young Professionals provides mentorship to help young adults make informed career choices, and supports them as they take steps toward their employment goals."
So if I’m that young adult without a career plan, in what ways would Michigan Works! help me? Cris tells me about tours, guest speakers, work experience and internships.
“We’ve got a lot of different hands-on career exploration opportunities to support them in making a good solid decision."
Cris says the support doesn’t stop once these young professionals find a job.
“We follow up with our alumni for a whole year to make sure they have all the support and mentorship they need to thrive at their job. 85.5% were attached to the workforce six months after they participated, and a year later, 87.7%,” Cris tells me proudly.
So if you’re a young adult who hasn’t figured out their path in life yet, Cris wants to reassure you: Michigan Works! is a safe place to admit ‘I don’t know.’
“It’s perfectly okay to not know all the answers. That’s exactly what we help do—help you find the career that best fits you."
Color me impressed. Both programs are helping Macomb County young adults find what they love, so they can do what they love. Jennifer agrees.
“I’ve mentioned to students for 20-some years: if you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life,” Jennifer says. “Don't pick a career because it's what anyone else wants you to do. What's gonna make you happy?"