Jefferson and Kennedy high school students experienced a variety of career options at their inaugural Industry and Innovation Day. Interactive simulators let students dive right in, making the event stand out from traditional career and college fairs.

The hands-on experiences focused on the high-tech side of transportation and manufacturing careers. Students had the chance to take the driver’s seat and controls of simulated airplanes, combines, construction equipment and semi trucks. Virtual reality headsets offered a ‘live’ look at careers like welding, carpentry, and painting cars.

Representatives from local post-secondary partners and Bloomington businesses were on hand to help students connect the dots on the pathways they could pursue that lead to the types of careers they experienced.

“As students visited the career exploration trailers, they had the opportunity to talk with people who actually do these careers and make a living,” said Shannon Geno, a Bloomington Public Schools work experience coordinator who helped organize the event along with Bruce English and Alissa Babcock. “They were all here to detail jobs these kids could be doing in their future and how to get there.”

This event is just one way BPS empowers and equips students to be future ready, explore their interests, and build a successful future for themselves. 

“I want to know we did our best to show students what they can become, and see how they can be successful after they graduate high school here at Jefferson and Kennedy,” said Geno.

BPS would like to thank all of the partners who helped make this event possible including the Big Ideas Mobile Lab, Minnesota Transportation Center of Excellence Career Exploration Trailer, and Minnesota State Southern Agricultural Center of Excellence.

Business partners at the event included the City of Bloomington, Aspen Equipment, Dan’s Southside Marine, Schmitty and Sons, Donaldson, Luther Automotive and Ziegler CAT. 

Post-secondary partners included Dunwoody College of Technology, Hennepin Technical College, Dakota County Technical College, Inver Hills Community College, Saint Paul College, and Bloomington Career and College Academy (BCCA).