Grand Rapids promotes job opportunities at Michigan Career Quest

More than 9,000 middle and high school students throughout West Michigan were in Grand Rapids on May 10, 2016 for this year’s MiCareerQuest at DeVos Place. Students attended this interactive and inspiring career event to learn about a host of career fields. Students learned about what it’s like to be a nurse, foreman, technician and so much more. They were also able to hear about each career's joys and challenges from professionals who perform them every day, including those who work for the City of Grand Rapids.

While MiCareerQuest historically features plenty of private sector employers, City officials took the opportunity to represent the public sector and get involved. With more than 50 percent of its workforce turning over in the next ten years due to retirements, the City of Grand Rapids decided to participate in this year’s event to recruit its workforce of the future. MiCareerQuest also features employers in the Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, Healthcare and Information Technology fields. 

According to Mari Beth Jelks, the City's Human Resources Director, staff from several key departments were on hand to encourage students to consider a career in municipal government, including the Water and Environmental Services Departments.

MiCareerQuest was a wonderful opportunity to showcase not only our most visible departments, like the Police and Fire Departments, but also highlight some of our lesser-known public service departments. By attending the event, we were able to expose almost 10,000 students to the great opportunities in the public works, environmental services and engineering fields.

Jelks said, "It’s important that students know that these crucial jobs exist in their hometown. This ‘grow our own’ strategy encourages Grand Rapidians to consider a rewarding career in public service.”