In early March, Dexter High School held their second annual Career Fair for all 9th-12th grade students. Approximately 1,000 DHS students participated in three 35-minute sessions with professionals who shared their career path journey across a wide variety of careers. DHS Career Development Facilitator Kaitlyn Nelson presented the Career Fair’s success, student and speaker feedback, and future plans to the Board of Education on Monday, March 23, 2026.
“The annual career fair supports our district’s commitment to preparing students for postsecondary success—whether that means college, skilled trades, military service, or direct entry into the workforce,” says Nelson. The Fair is an opportunity for students to explore the many possibilities available to them through the Michigan Career Clusters. Alongside the sixteen national clusters created by the U.S. Department of Education, Michigan has collaborated with business and industry partners to establish a seventeenth cluster focused on Energy.
Michigan Career Clusters
Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
Hospitality and Tourism
Architectures and Construction
Human Services
Arts, A/V, Technology, and Communications
Information technology
Business, Management, and Administration
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
Education and Training
Manufacturing
Energy
Marketing
Finance
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
Government and Public Administration
Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics
Health Science
DCS Chief Academic Officer Melanie Nowak explains the purpose of the Career Fair:
“For students unsure about their future plans, the Career Fair is a chance to “shop around,” ask questions, and spark curiosity in fields they may never have previously considered. For students who already have a clear goal, it is an opportunity to deepen their understanding, identify next steps, and confirm their direction. Our purpose is to ensure every student leaves with greater clarity, broader awareness, and renewed excitement about what is possible. When we intentionally expose students to the wide range of Michigan’s Career Clusters, we empower them to make informed decisions, pursue purposeful pathways, and envision a future filled with opportunity.”
Students had the opportunity to provide feedback about their experience through an exit survey after the event. Over 91% of DHS students rated their Career Fair experience as “Excellent” or “Good,” and over half of the participants provided thoughtful written feedback including their biggest takeaways and suggestions for future presentations.
“I think my biggest takeaway from all the presentations was that people end up in unexpected careers. Everybody that talked ended up in a different career than they originally planned.” –DHS Junior
“It matters less where you go to undergrad vs. what you do and who you meet there.” –DHS Senior
“You don’t necessarily have to go to college.” –DHS Sophomore
“That you don't need to be great at math or be the best student in your class to be successful. Sometimes you want your dream job but you end up getting the job that is best for you.” –DHS Freshman
