Show-Me Careers

The audience is 50-60 middle and high school educators, counselors and administrators representing area school districts who are participating in the program.

Every location is unique and offers a slightly different perspective, which adds great value and diversity to the week. On-site activities range from presentations, panel discussions and tours to mini job shadowing, hands-on activities or other forms of engagement. The amount of time visitors will be on-site will dictate what is possible. For example, during a two-hour visit, it may be difficult to run a hands-on activity or a more personalized job shadowing, whereas for four hours, this would be expected of the employer host.    

The cohort travels as one group by charter bus to each location during the week. Once on site, the group can be split up into smaller groups as needed. Please feel free to take this into account for planning of tours, presentations, shadowing, panel discussions or any hands-on activities that you develop. 

To provide a solid experience for all involved and to show a solid dedication to the development of these education professionals, we expect that a member or members of the company’s C-suite will speak or engage with the group during their visit. Many times, the president/CEO or lead plant/facility manager will give the group an overview of the industry/company and speak to them about the ethos of building talent within the organization.

Any materials on the company, career pathways or HR incentives are encouraged. If you have academic-focused materials developed and available, they can also be distributed.  Any hand-outs or giveaway items are welcomed and can be distributed ahead of time in the pre-flight bag or while at your place of business.

Educators, counselors and administrators walk away with a better understanding of your industry and career pathways and a sincere understanding of the vital role that your business plays in the local economy.

We hope that your company will be open to follow-up engagement in the school year and beyond with these educators for a variety of activities. These could range from classroom presentations to co-teaching a lesson, student internships, job shadowing or client projects.

Participants will have expert, facilitated career pathway action plans and frameworks that they can use in the classroom or counseling office in the academic year and beyond. In addition, participants build a network of education, business and workforce professionals to assist with future building or district career pathway work. 

The Show-Me Careers program breaks down community barriers and strengthens local talent pipelines, bridging the gap between business and education.

Local chambers of commerce and other community business organizations can become regional/community providers by subscribing to the state network at nominal costs and energy. 

When you become a lead community partner, you receive the following:

• Overarching program framework that includes a detailed planning guide, communications plan with content, program agenda templates, curriculum and materials for attendees, and other supporting materials.
• Technical support from start to finish on developing the local program in accordance with the state model.
• Application and supporting online resource-sharing portal with a local hub for your community.
•  Initial program support materials, printed flyers, materials and pop-up banners.
• Access to the Kauffman Foundation’s powerful Real World Learning (RWL) aspects of Market Value Assets (MVA) and Client Connected Projects (CCP) material.
• Supporting network engagement opportunities, data and reporting, and more.