CAREER DISCOVERY INITIATIVE
Career Discovery programs connect Valley businesses to students as they are charting their career paths. Since 2012, Menomonee Valley Partners has partnered with Milwaukee Public Schools to connect area high school students studying manufacturing and engineering to tours of advanced manufacturers, engineering firms, and mechanical contractors. Annually, over 300 students participate in Career Discovery programs.
The Career Discovery Initiative:
helps students connect in-class learning to careers
supports teachers and schools with access to career-oriented experiences
builds awareness of Valley jobs and develops a workforce/career pipeline
highlights women and people of color working at Valley companies
These programs are made possible by engagement with companies and individuals. Contact Catrina at catrina@thevalleymke.org or 414-326-5077.
Students asked, “How do I get to work here someday?” after meeting employees, talking about their careers, and seeing products made in these manufacturing facilities.
career days
Valley businesses are industry and global leaders seeking unique collaborations to improve their visibility to the next generation of talent. These diverse programs make a significant impact on students. Students experience the shop floors, speak with employees of all levels, begin to comprehend career ladders, and learn directly from employees about their pathways to the careers they are in today, including engineering, manufacturing, and construction.
engineering career days
Students learn just how expansive the world of engineering is by meeting engineers from various industries on company tours. Schools are paired with businesses depending on their current areas of study. Within the Valley, you can find mechanical, chemical, civil, and electrical engineers.
manufacturing career days
An overarching manufacturing experience showcases the wide variety of career pathways found in a manufacturing setting. The tour debunks the myth that manufacturing is dirty, dark, and dangerous. Students learn that not all manufacturing environments are the same as they experience behind-the-scenes tours of some of Milwaukee’s largest manufacturers. This tour provides context to the skills the students are learning in their Introduction to Manufacturing coursework.
construction & trades tours
Students learn about career pathways to apprenticeships, union opportunities, and what employers seek in a skilled workforce. Tours expose local youth to careers that build upon their area of study in the construction trades.
In 2018, Bay View High School students toured JF Ahern and JM Brennan to learn about career pathways to apprenticeships, union opportunities, and what employers seek in a skilled workforce. Tours expose local youth to good paying careers associated with their area of study.
“It’s my dream to work here, in the Valley. My father and I research the companies down here all the time.”
Valley stem internship
The Valley STEM Internship is a unique seven-week, paid internship where you will rotate between engineering firms, architectural firms, and manufacturing companies in the Menomonee River Valley.
If you are a high school student who lives in the City of Milwaukee and has a deep interest in careers in the engineering, architectural, or construction fields, the summer Valley STEM Internship is for you! Applications are due in March, and the program runs from June to August.
programming for young women
The Young Women programs expose high school girls to Valley careers and mentors with the goal to replace fear and uncertainty of manufacturing and engineering careers with the confidence and guidance to break down barriers and pursue big dreams. Students meet with women working in the Valley in traditionally male-dominated careers (chemists, plumbers, industrial designers, engineers, project managers, and more) to learn about their career journeys and ask for advice from their newfound mentors.
young women in stem
young women in real estate
valley lunch & learns
Based on student interest, we pair young adults with mentors so they can gain awareness of paths to meaningful careers. The goal is to engage both young people and Valley employees in making the route to careers easier to navigate.
IT Service Learning
Students from local high schools partnered with IT professionals for a week, learning and creating projects about what they learned to share with their classmates.
