Courtesy photo A boy gets a hands-on education from an employee of Huron Engineering during Tuesday’s EcoCareers Expo in Alpena.

Alpena — The EcoCareers Expo is a future-focused event that encouraged more than 500 northeast Michigan students to explore local, eco-system career opportunities. Thirteen schools took part in the 2nd annual EcoCareers Expo hosted by Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative (NEMIGLSI) was held on Tuesday at the Alpena Events Complex.

While there are numerous career opportunities in natural resources, understanding these jobs can often be challenging. One of the goals of the EcoCareers Expo is to provide students with engaging, hands-on experiences at a variety of interactive booths, where they can learn about the diverse range of careers available within their communities and across the state. Through direct interaction with professionals and organizations that work in the natural resources sector, students have the unique opportunity to gain insight into potential career paths and begin planning their high school curriculum with future career goals in mind.

“This is great for kids to see the bigger picture,” one teacher shared in a post survey. To enhance their learning experience, students filled out bingo sheets by asking questions at each exhibitor booth, such as, “When did you decide to pursue a career in this field?” and, “What skills and education are required for your job?”

A post-survey was also sent to students and revealed that more than 90 percent learned about new career opportunities! “The goal of the expo is to show our youth the awesome careers available in their communities right now,” says Savannah Obert-Pfeiffer, NEMIGLSI PBSE Stewardship Specialist. “They don’t have to move away to find a fulfilling opportunity if natural resources are their passion.”