From Campuses to Careers: Project Success Students Dream Big this MEA
Over the years, we have heard from students that they are curious about careers and eager to explore the many different paths that can lead to exciting, often “behind-the-scenes” jobs. We know that by creating opportunities for students to visit job sites, meet professionals, and see their skills in action, they could open students’ eyes to new possibilities for their futures. That is why this year’s MEA marked an exciting and program-filled three days for Project Success students packed with college and career tours all led by the same mission: to connect students to their purpose.
Day one of MEA kicked off with a bang as 137 students met at Project Success headquarters to embark on tours of University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, University of Minnesota, Twin cities, and a first-of-its-kind career tour at the Minnesota Zoo. Students on their way to the college tours experienced a Project Success Workshop at our headquarters to help them home in on what they are looking for in a college experience, prep questions for the admissions team, and think about what they would like their lives to look like in a post-secondary setting. They then traveled to the college campuses where they attended an admissions and financial aid presentation, campus tours, and lunch. Their Project Success facilitators encouraged them to think deeply about their time on these tours and determine if these schools had qualities that aligned with their future plans or qualities that they knew they didn’t want in a college experience. By working to define what they did or did not like, it helped move them further along on their post-secondary exploration. One student remarked, “I learned more about what college life is like and how to prepare for it.”
“I didn’t know much about the U of M, but now I feel very informed and excited to apply”
Simultaneously, 38 students joined Project Success for a first-of-its-kind Career Day at the Minnesota Zoo, blending hands-on exploration with behind-the-scenes learning. This program invited students to discover the wide range of careers that keep the zoo running – from zoologist and conservationists to carpenters, HVAC technicians, and exhibit designers. Students rotated through engaging activities, including creating animal meals, learning how to train and track animals, and exploring conservation work with endangered species. A custom scavenger hunt throughout the zoo encouraged them to notice how exhibit design and visitor experience intersect, even inspiring one student’s interest in interior design and experience-based design. The day wrapped up with a visit from an opossum, lunch, and live shows that highlighted even more behind-the-scenes roles like sound and stage management.
One student remarked, “I’m taking away that there are many, many jobs available at the zoo, other than just the obvious ones and learned what they all entail”
On the second day of MEA, students had their pick of touring smaller colleges with more niche areas and direct-to-career pathways. Students interested in hands-on learning programs like chiropractic care, acupuncture, massage therapy, medical imaging and more attended a visit to Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington where they got a tour of the campus and a chance to visit a clinic where they got to see how blood is tested to determine blood type. Students attending St. Catherine’s University attended admissions presentations which were punctuated by a Q&A session with a panel of resource office directors. Students toured the beautiful campus and enjoyed lunch and a PS workshop to facilitate learning about the many ways they could fund their education. The third college visit of the day was to Augsburg University which included admissions presentations and a student panel where PS students could ask their questions of current Augsburg students. PS students had a chance to imagine themselves on campus at these schools and learned about all the opportunities available to them by pursuing a 2-year or 4-year degree. When asked what they were taking away from their college tour experience, one student said, “this was already my top school, based on research. Now it is even higher on my list!”
The final day of MEA included a tour of a traditional 4-year college – St. Cloud State University, as well as a tour of Saint Paul College where students could choose between two different career tracks to learn more about. The tour of St. Cloud State University included a PS workshop, admissions presentations and students noted that the enjoyed being able to check out the sports arena and the dorms on campus. The joint college and career tour to Saint Paul College started with an engaging career workshop at Project Success headquarters where students explored what they value in a workplace and discussed the difference between salary and hourly jobs. The group then toured the college learning about a variety of programs from cosmetology to culinary arts, and auto mechanics to carpentry, while connecting with the admissions staff and asking thoughtful questions about college life there. After the tour, students split between two career exploration groups. One group journeyed to Turbo Tim’s Automotive where they met mechanics and ran into a PS alum show shared his insights about life after high school. A highlight of the visit was the friendly shop cats students got to play with while learning about how skills, community and education shape the auto repair industry. Meanwhile at Gillette Children’s Hospital, students toured the gait and motion lab, orthopedics and prosthetics lab, and adaptive playground, seeing how technology and creativity come together to support children’s health. From motion-capture science to custom prosthetics, the experience inspired conversations about careers in health care, ending a day full of energy and inspiration.
MEA once again provided three days of exploration, connection, and possibility for Project Success students exploring their plans for after high school. Across all of the days, students discovered new campuses, dreamed about their futures, and met with professionals who opened their eyes to the many paths that their interests and passions can take. Whether testing blood types in a clinic, meeting zookeepers and designers working behind the scenes, or hearing from college students who once stood where they are now, each experience helped our students to take another step toward connecting to their purpose. As one student put it best, “I’ve been given many possibilities for my future” – and that is what these tours are all about.