The Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative (NEMIGLSI), in partnership with the MiSTEM Network and Michigan Works!, is excited to host a hands-on career exploration event for eighth-grade students. This EcoCareers Expo will offer students an up-close look at real-world job opportunities in conservation and natural resource fields—both across northeast Michigan and throughout the state. The goal is to help students make informed decisions about high school electives, extracurricular activities, and future career paths that align with the natural environment and resources around them.
The EcoCareers Expo will be held in Alpena on October 21st, 2025 from 9:30am-1:30pm. Session 1 will run from 9:30-11am with lunch provided for exhibitors from 11-12pm, and Session 2 will run from 12-1:30PM.
We would love to have you join us as an exhibitor this year! Exhibitor registration is now open. To sign up, please register here. Please note that exhibitor registration will close on Friday, September 19th. We hope you will be able to have a table with an interactive and engaging component to highlight the careers in your field.
We are also actively seeking sponsors to help make this event possible! If your organization is interested in supporting the EcoCareers Expo, please visit our sponsorship page. Your sponsorship helps ensure this remains a no-cost opportunity for schools—including transportation.
Thank you for considering this opportunity to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders. We look forward to a fantastic event this fall and truly appreciate your support!
"We were very impressed with all of the booths and how interactive they were. We would love to bring more students next year." - Teacher Participant
“My favorite part was visiting all the different careers, and how they were hands on." - Student Participant
Last year, we held the inaugural EcoCareers Expo in Alpena, MI. The event hosted over 500 students and featured more than 25 exhibitors. We received excellent feedback from students, teachers, and exhibitors in surveys and are excited to host the event again this year on October 21st in Alpena.
The EcoCareers Expo is a hands-on career fair focused on natural resources. Our primary audience is 8th-grade students, as we aim to cultivate their interest in natural resources-related careers before they enter high school. This will help them make informed decisions about elective classes and explore internship opportunities.
