NORTHERN ADVANTEDGE CAREER EXPO TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 5

October 29, 2014 – Bemidji, MN – The Northwest Minnesota Foundation (NMF) and IMPACT 20/20 are hosting the first annual, Northern AdvantEdge Career Expo on November 5 at Bemidji State University’s John Glas Field House. There are 1100 high school students registered for the event from 15 schools across NMF’s region.

The career expo will provide each student with a hands-on approach and exposure to various careers. The need to educate students about career opportunities in Northwest Minnesota is great. To make connections between businesses and future employees, NMF and IMPACT 20/20 banded together to bring this event to high school students of all ages.

Eighty exhibitors are on deck for the event along with 20 presenters. Students will tour exhibitor booths, doing hands-on activities to introduce them to careers of interest. The students will then attend break-out sessions, where they will hear more in-depth presentations from local businesses and employers.

“Our goal is to retain a talented workforce in Northwest Minnesota,” said NMF Communications Specialist Ashley Johnson. “Most students have not been introduced to the opportunities available in our corner of the state. This expo will promote the trades, 2 and 4-year educational institutions, as well as those professions with on-the-job training.” Johnson added, “We want each student to know their options and in turn, take the high school courses necessary to pursue their career of interest.”

Local businesses, area high schools, Bemidji State University and Northwest Technical College have provided an overwhelming amount of support for the expo. Employers readily admit that many youth are not prepared to enter the workforce. Educators say that students often enter college, but have no career path in mind.

“School counselors are spread very thin and to meet with each student individually while ensuring a career plan is in place is difficult,” said Tim Flathers, Impact 20/20 member. “Therefore we are aiming to be another resource that will direct high school students toward a bright future – one without a lot of misspent time and an unsatisfying career.”

A list of sponsors, exhibitors and participating schools can be found online at http://www.northernadvantedge.org. If you have an interest in participating in the Northern AdvantEdge Career Expo as an exhibitor, please contact Ashley Johnson. E-mail ashleyj@nwmf.org or phone 218-759-2057.

The Northwest Minnesota Foundation is a public, charitable foundation serving 12 counties of Northwest Minnesota by investing resources, facilitating collaboration and promoting philanthropy. Impact 20/20 is a group of influential leaders in Northwest Minnesota representing diverse interests and working together for the region’s economic success.