What do you want to be when you grow up?
For many middle school students, the answer changes weekly.
And honestly? That’s okay.
Recently, eighth-grade students from Mason Middle School and Dansville Middle School had the opportunity to visit Wilson Talent Center (WTC) and begin exploring what future possibilities might look like—through hands-on experiences, program tours, and conversations about careers they may have never considered before.
During their visits, students explored a wide variety of career pathways, including areas like culinary arts and hospitality, welding, technology, sports medicine and rehabilitation, cosmetology, automotive, skilled trades, and more. From classroom demonstrations to interactive experiences, students were able to see firsthand how learning can connect directly to future careers.
At Wilson Talent Center, high school students participate in career and technical education (CTE) programs designed to blend classroom learning with real-world application, helping students build practical skills, industry knowledge, and confidence before graduation. Programs span industries including healthcare, law enforcement, digital technology, culinary arts, skilled trades, bioscience, education, and beyond.
For middle school students, experiences like these matter.
Career exploration isn’t about having life figured out at age 13 or 14.
It’s about exposure.
It’s about helping students connect interests to possibilities, ask new questions, and realize there are many different ways to build a meaningful future.
Because sometimes, finding your path starts with simply stepping into a room and thinking:
“Wait… this is actually really cool.”
Recent Stories:
Ingham ISD staff came together for Opening Day with a question: “What if?” As the district begins year two of its "Power of What If?" theme, the focus is shifting to student voice—and creating meaningful learning experiences by listening to the students at the center of the work.
At Heartwood School, there’s no expectation that learning should look the same for every student. Teacher Samantha Mulder takes us inside her classroom to show how communication tools, flexible spaces, movement and individualized supports help middle school students with severe cognitive impairments learn in ways that work for them.
