Michigan Business Beat | Amirika Richardson, CAMW! - Her Career Education Advisory Council Role

Jeffrey Mosher welcomes back Amerika Richardson, T3 Education Officer, Capital Area Michigan Works!, Lansing, but serving Ingham, Eaton and Clinton Counties Welcome back Amerika, tell us about your Career Education Advisory Council Role? I serve as the facilitator of the Career Education Advisory Council, also known as T3 (Teach. Talent. Thrive.). The council brings together educators, employers, postsecondary institutions, and community partners to align career education opportunities with regional workforce needs. A key part of our work is ensuring that career readiness and exploration are embedded throughout the K-16 pipeline, so students graduate prepared for both college and careers. We operate under Michigan’s Open Meetings Act and Workforce Development Board guidelines, which emphasizes transparency, equity, and community engagement in decision-making. Does it involve STEM Youth Engagement? I help design and support large-scale STEM exploration events, such as MiCareerQuest Capital Area, which introduces thousands of students to hands-on career pathways in IT, health sciences, construction, and advanced manufacturing. These events are not just career fairs—they’re immersive, interactive experiences where students can weld, code, simulate surgeries, and operate equipment under employer guidance. We intentionally include diverse student populations, ensuring equitable access to STEM fields, especially for underrepresented youth. Beyond one-day events, I work with schools to connect classroom learning to real-world STEM applications, reinforcing the importance of math, science, and technology in future careers. What are the Current Career Exploration Events? Beyond flagship programs like MiCareerQuest Capital Area, we also support specialized STEM events across the region: Construction Science Expo (Sept. 30, 2025): This hands-on event introduces youth to skilled trades and construction careers, giving them the chance to try activities like bricklaying, electrical wiring, and heavy equipment operation with Do you get guidance from industry professionals? Clinton County Career Expo (Nov. 6, 2025): Hosted at DeWitt High School, this event brings together 8th graders in the morning and 10th graders in the afternoon for a full-day exploration of career opportunities. Students will engage directly with employers, postsecondary representatives, and industry experts to see how classroom learning connects to real careers. These events are designed to be interactive, inclusive, and age-appropriate: younger students focus on early exposure and curiosity-building, while older students begin connecting opportunities to specific postsecondary choices. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN’s YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/