AT&T: Expo connects nearly 300 10th graders with exciting career opportunities in the Marinette-Menominee Region

Goal of Event is to Educate Young People about Diverse, High-Tech Jobs Available and Workforce Needs of Local Employers

MARINETTE — High school sophomores from Marinette and Menominee had the opportunity to learn more about area businesses and available career opportunities during today’s annual “Career Opportunities Expo” on the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College’s Marinette campus.

The goal of the half-day expo was to introduce area students to the exciting and diverse career opportunities available to them in the local region, including jobs in advanced manufacturing, education and health care.

“The Marinette-Menominee region is not only a beautiful place to live, it also has many diverse and exciting careers available for families,” said Jacqueline Boudreau, Executive Director and CEO of the Marinette Menominee Area Chamber of Commerce. “Part of our mission is educating our young people at an early age about the types of high-tech and emerging jobs available in our region and the skills needed for those professions.”

Nearly 300 10th graders from Marinette, Menominee and St. Thomas Aquinas High Schools participated in the expo. Panel speakers from some of the area’s major employers, including Marinette Marine, Bay Area Medical Center, Tyco, Resolute, Kimberly Clark, LE Jones and Winsert, were on hand to discuss their chosen career fields and the opportunities available within those industries.

Speakers also talked with students about various aspects of their jobs, including daily tasks, work hours, general salary ranges, education required and career options.

“This expo is a great way to not only get our young people thinking early about possible career opportunities, but to also connect them with local employers and get them excited about the diverse jobs in our region,” said State Rep. John Nygren (R-Marinette).

The annual event was hosted by the Marinette Menominee Area Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by AT&T and Farmers and Merchants Bank and Trust.

The expo included local speakers from the following 11 “Career Cluster” panels:

1) Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources;
2) Arts, Audio/Video Technology & Communications/Marketing;
3) Business Management & Administration/Finance;
4) Education & Training;
5) Government & Public Administration/Human Services;
6) Health Science;
7) Hospitality & Tourism;
8) Information Technology;
9) Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security; Military;
10) Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics / Architecture & Construction; and
11) Manufacturing, Transportation, Distribution & Logistics.

The Marinette Menominee Area Chamber of Commerce serves both the cities and counties of Marinette, Wisconsin and Menominee, Michigan and works to assist the development of a positive business climate for the entire area. Its overall goal is to preserve and expand economic development, educational growth and tourism to improve the region’s business climate.

“AT&T is proud to support the Chamber’s efforts to engage high school students early in career opportunities,” said Robyn Gruner, Director of External Affairs for AT&T Wisconsin. “As a company, we are committed to education and workforce development, and this expo is a great way to support both.”

For more information, contact:
Jessica Erickson, AT&T Public Affairs
O: 608-282-7870
C: 608-692-5340
jessica.erickson@att.com