Alpena, MI, October 2026 - The 3rd annual EcoCareers Expo is a future-focused event for 8th grade students. This year it encouraged more than 300 northeast Michigan students to explore local, ecosystem career opportunities. Nine different school districts took part, coming from six different regional counties.
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 discover a 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.
“All the exhibitors offered excellent interactive booths,” 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 98 percent learned about new career opportunities! When asked about their favorite part, here is what a few students shared:
"The DNR and the ROV, I love ROVs and I found a new summer job from the DNR". - Alcona Student
"My favorite part was being able to talk to different people and learn about their careers. It helped me see what I want to do." - Oscoda Student
"My favorite part was seeing all the cool jobs and learning and experiencing lots". -St. John Lutheran School
“The expo's main goal is to show youth in northeast Michigan how many exciting career opportunities are out there, especially in fields that tap into our amazing natural resources,” shared Savannah Graf, NEMIGLSI Network Coordinator. “We want to highlight fun, fulfilling jobs that allow students to live, work, and play right here in our beautiful region!”
The 3rd annual EcoCareers Expo was hosted by Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative (NEMIGLSI) in partnership with MiWorks Northeast Consortium on Wednesday, October 21 at the Alpena Events Complex from 9:30am to 1:30pm. The event was made possible with the help of sponsorship and funding from Awakon Federal Credit Union, Michigan Dept. of Labor & Economic Opportunity, Michigan Works!, MiSTEM Network, Kirtland Community College, and Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan.Thank you to our local professionals for taking time out of their busy schedules to engage and help develop the next generation of youth stewards. A list of organizations that set up booths is below.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Alpena Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Michigan Department of Transportation, Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians Natural Resources Department, Huron Pines, Great Lake Fisheries Commission, MI DNR Parks and Rec Division/Harrisville Harbor, Huron Engineering and Surveying, Kirtland Community College-MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology, EGLE Gaylord District, Alpena Community College Concrete Tech, RS Scott Associates INC., Amrize, National Weather Service, Canine Communication, Switzer Vet Clinic, Lake Superior State University, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Great Lakes Great Responsibility, Great Lakes Maritime Academy, MiWORKS! Northeast Consortium, and the Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative
To see the official press release from the Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative click here.