Berrien RESA, LMC, and Michigan Works! to host Career Pathway Day 2025

BERRIEN SPRINGS - On Friday, October 17, around 2,000 9th-grade students will visit Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center to explore Michigan’s 6 Career Pathways and meet with Berrien County industry representatives during Career Pathway Day 2025, hosted by Berrien RESA, Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren and Lake Michigan College.  

“Career Pathway Day is the ultimate display of countywide collaboration, bringing our K-12 schools and our local businesses together to connect,” said Berrien RESA Assistant Superintendent and Career & Technical Education (CTE) Regional Director Chris Machiniak. “The best way to help young people further develop their career interests is to provide them with direct, interactive experiences with employers and let them try out some of the daily tasks performed in their prospective industries. This isn't a traditional job fair; it's a fun, interactive environment that allows nearly 2,000 9th-grade students to engage one-on-one with professionals like engineers, attorneys, nurses, and machinists, gaining a first-hand understanding of local career paths and the skills they’ll need to start their careers locally.” 

“Partnering with Berrien RESA to bring this event to life was a natural fit,” said Jennifer Deamud, Executive Vice President of Workforce at Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren. “Together, we’re giving local youth the chance to explore career paths and apprenticeships in a hands-on, meaningful way. This kind of early exposure is critical— not just for sparking interest, but for helping young people see what’s possible and start building real-world skills. Collaboration like this makes a lasting impact, and we’re proud to be part of it."

The event will commence with an overview of Career Pathway Day activities at the Mendel Center’s Jenkins Theater, followed by a career expo in Grand Upton Hall. Employers will be organized into sections based on Michigan’s 6 Career Pathways: Arts & Communication; Business, Management, Marketing, and Technology; Engineering, Manufacturing and Industrial Technology; Health Sciences; Human Services; and Natural Resources and Agriscience.  

Lake Michigan College representatives, along with veteran high school Career & Technical Education students, will be on hand to share their CTE class experiences with their 9th-grade peers. 

Participating companies include:

• Abonmarche Consultants
• Army National Guard
• Beacon Health Systems
• Berrien County Conservation District
• Berrien County Parks Love Creek Nature Center
• Berrien County Sheriff's Department
• Berrien RESA Mental Health Team
• Bloom Sluggett, PC/South Haven City Attorney
• Bonnell Aluminum
• C&S Machine
• Corewell Health Clinical Education
• Corewell Health Lakeland
• Edgewater Automation
• Flowers Early Learning
• Foxtrot Flight Training, LLC
• Gaishin Manufacturing, LLC
• GreenMark Equipment
• JR Automation
• Krasl Art Center
• Lake Michigan College Commercial Driver's License Semitruck Program
• Lindberg/MPH
• Lounsbury Excavating
• M-DOT
• Maximum Mold
• MI Works!/ Youth Solutions
• Michigan State Police
• Mid West Family Marketing & Media
• Mid-West Family Broadcasting
• Midwest Class & Mirror
• Nova
• Reasons 2 Share Digital Media Services: Best Buy Teen Tech Center powered by Whirlpool
• South Bend Electrical JATC
• Stonehouse Nursery
• United Federal Credit Union
• Waterstreet Glassworks
• Weldstar
• YMCA Greater Michiana at Northside Child Development.Center

The event is graciously being hosted by Lake Michigan College in collaboration with Berrien RESA and Michigan Works! Berrien, Cass, Van Buren.

"Lake Michigan College is proud to host the 2025 Career Pathway Day.” Said Dr. Trevor Kubatzke, President of Lake Michigan College. “At LMC, we believe that every individual deserves a chance to pursue their dreams, and Career Pathway Day is a testament to that. By bringing together industry leaders, educators, and talented students, we aim to inspire, connect, and illuminate the diverse career pathways available to our students."

Media is encouraged to attend. Please confirm your attendance by contacting Karen Heath, Director of Communications & PR, at karen.heath@berrienresa.org. The event will begin at 9 a.m. with the first group of students visiting career exploration booths and participating in job-related activities. Rounds will continue throughout the day. The last group’s visit will end at 2:05 p.m. Lake Michigan College is located at 2755 E. Napier Avenue in Benton Harbor.

Career Pathway Day Video