Try hands-on activities for your favorite industries.
Click here to view all of the activity flyers, or scroll down to try specific activities!
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Business is one of the most versatile career fields - from marketing to finance, accounting to management, there are many different pathways.
People who are successful in these fields are often highly organized, strategic problem-solvers. They typically take initiative and enjoy working with people.
The median national wage is $69,820 (2019).
Jobs in Business
Social Media Manager | Creative Director | CEO | Financial Analyst | Banker | Business Operations | Customer Service | Accountant | Marketing Manager | Real Estate Agent | Event Planner
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The U.S. Bureau of Labor estimates that jobs in business and financial operations will grow by 5% from now through 2029.
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Got a great business idea? See if it has potential through the napkin exercise
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Logos are an important visual identity for a business. A good logo grabs the customer’s attention, is memorable, and conveys what customers should expect from the company. They often make us feel a certain way, and get stuck in our memory without our knowing! Test your logo savvy here!
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Ever heard the phrase, “you are what you do?” People come to know you from their interactions with you. It’s never too early to form your personal brand. Learn how to create yours with Roberto Blake.
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Imagine being your own boss - making your own rules and running a company that you believe in. This is being an entrepreneur at its best, but it’s not easy.
See if you have what it takes! Check out this site to take a short course from the U.S. Small Business Administration. You’ll even get a certificate when finished!
Cory Nieves started his first business at age 6. Now 16, he is CEO of Mr. Cory’s Cookies. Read about Cory and other young entrepreneurs here!
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“You have to be burning with an idea, or a problem, or a wrong that you want to right. If you’re not passionate enough from the start, you’ll never stick it out.”
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Engineers are problem-solvers. They use their technical skills and creativity to design and improve the items we use everyday to meet the needs of our world.
People who are successful in these fields like knowing how things work, have great attention to detail, and enjoy experimenting and tinkering. They are almost always working on diverse teams.
The median national wage is $73, 524 (2021).
Types of Engineers
Mechanical | Computer | Electrical | Civil | Software | Aerospace | Nuclear | Environmental | Materials Science | Marine | Chemical | Industrial | Structural
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A college degree is usually required in order to become an engineer. Jobs in engineering are expected to grow 5% by 2029. Learn more about wage growth for different types of engineering here!
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Engineering is more than a career pathway - it’s also a mindset and a way to approach problem-solving. Watch this cool video on the engineering process to see if you have what it takes to think like an engineer!
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Engineers think about the needs of our societies. One huge challenge for the world is reducing our consumer impact by recycling waste whenever possible. But sorting waste also needs to be efficient.
Try your hand at building a mini recycling machine to sort a pile of paper clips and paper using objects you can find around your house. If it doesn’t work the first time, use the engineering process to make adjustments until you succeed.
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One of the key skills engineers must have is spatial visualization, or the ability to see and move 2D and 3D objects in your mind. Engineers use isometric drawings to translate spatial visualization into instructions for design. You can improve your spatial skills using dot paper and snap cubes.
Grab a sheet of engineering dot paper and pencil with eraser.
Try using snap cubes to draw the figures on this page.
Post a photo of your drawings on Instagram and tag us @MTU.Outreach
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SketchUp.com is a free site you can use to create 3D drawings. Put your engineering design work into practice by making a 3D model of a pirate ship playhouse.
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You don’t need to be a doctor to work in healthcare and make a difference in people’s daily lives. There are even jobs in this field that do not involve caring directly for patients, but are critical to providing for their care.
People who are successful in these fields are dependable, self-disciplined, and motivated by compassion and a desire to make a real difference.
The median national wage is $68,190 (2019).
Jobs in Health Sciences
Radiologist | Patient Care Advocate | Physical Therapist | EMT | Veterinarian | Lab Tech | Surgeon | Dentist | Pharmacist | Midwife | Biomedical Engineer | Nurse
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The U.S. Bureau of Labor estimates that jobs in healthcare occupations will grow by 15% from now to 2029, more than any other field!
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Play this virtual game to learn the difference between blood types, how to blood type a patient, and how to administer a transfusion of compatible blood.
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What is the best way to stop the spread of germs? Which is more effective - hand sanitizer or handwashing? Run your own experiment against a control group to find out!
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Thousands of people are waiting for donation of critical organs like hearts and livers. A new technology called bioprinting could save their lives. Check out this TED talk with Taneka Jones to learn more about this fascinating field.
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Biomedical engineers design equipment and devices to solve medical problems. For example, a biomedical engineer may make machines used in medical facilities, or create a prosthetic body part like an organ or limb.
See if you can think like a biomedical engineer by designing your own hand with items you can find around your house.
Send a photo of your creation to us at outreach@mtu.edu or tag our @MTU.Outreach Instagram account with your finished product!
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Modern manufacturing is a complex and growing industry that has experienced a rapid forward shift due to emerging technologies.
The future of manufacturing requires innovative, hands-on doers and makers - see how you could develop a fulfilling career in MFG.
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The average annual income of U.S. Manufacturing employees was $87,165 in 2018.
Over the next decade, 4.6 million manufacturing jobs will need to be filled!
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What’s manufacturing like on the ground floor? Explore facilities’ virtual tours to find out!
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Working in technology means more than just sitting behind a screen or coding programs - nearly every aspect of our lives now interfaces with technology in some way. From keeping our online spaces safe to ensuring accessibility for all, there are a lot of career options in this critical industry.
People who are successful in these fields are savvy, creative, resourceful, and enjoy being trailblazers.
The median national wage is $88,240 (2021).
Jobs in Technology
Programmer | Computer Network Architect | Data Scientist | Developer | IT Manager | Systems Analyst | Security Technician | Customer Support | Database Management
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During the Covid-19 pandemic, the unemployment rate for technology careers is 2.8%, well below the national average of 6.7% for all careers.
This indicates the steady demand and job security for this growing field!
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Play this virtual game to see if you have it takes to defend a company against cybersecurity threats - they’re depending on you!
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UX is the user experience - basically, how easily and efficiently we use or receive something. In the tech world, UX is important for navigating an app or website. If your audience can’t use your product well, your product won’t be successful.
Learn more about UX and how it’s relevant to a variety of career pathways by checking out this article!
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Tinker around with block coding on this free website for everyone from total newbs to seasoned coders. You can also join the forum to connect with other like-minded people to share interests.
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Chatbots can engage with us to help us with a problem, or just to keep us entertained. Check out these free chatbots:
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From life hacks to music sharing, DIY electronics to recycling waste, open-source technology is changing our world. You can make hundreds of thousands of cool, useful things for free at home just by working from designs and ideas shared by creators all over the planet!
This book by Michigan Tech professor Dr. Joshua Pearce has tons of ideas to help you get started.
If you want a free physical copy of the book, email us at outreach@mtu.edu!
Post a photo of your creation on Instagram and tag us @MTU.Outreach!
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The skilled trades include careers in fields like electrical work, construction, culinary, automotive, HVAC, manufacturing, and more. They often offer the opportunity to gain experience on the job through apprenticeship, certification, and/or training programs.
People who are successful in these fields are quick on their feet, prefer working with their hands over being in front of a computer screen, and are hardworking.
Median national wages vary widely by field, but some skilled trades careers pay over $100,000 per year!
Jobs in Skilled Trades
Welder | Steam Fitter | Iron Worker | Plumber | Chef | Carpenter | Electrician | Machinist | Lineman | Fabricator
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47,000 new skilled trades jobs are expected to open in Michigan through 2026, with a shortage of professionals to fill them.
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Learn more about circuits while also having fun by making this Modern Art Steady Hand game. Don’t trip the buzzer!
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Professionals in construction rely on blueprints to have an understanding of what they are being tasked to create. Learn about blueprints by reading this article then try to recreate the floor plan of your bedroom or house using SmartDraw free drafting software.
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If you love to work with wood and have some tools on hand, check out Instructables for all sorts of project ideas!
Ask an adult for help using power tools.
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From opening the tap to brush your teeth, to ensuring public sanitation, plumbing is one of the most important necessities of our modern lives. Plumbers are in high demand and can earn an excellent wage. Learn how a home system works in this video.
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Working in the culinary industry can be sweet, but it also requires dedication and perseverance. Check out this video from the Culinary Institute of America to learn about the ingredients and techniques required to make the king of all party dishes - fresh guacamole!
Post a photo of your creation on Instagram and tag us @MTU.Outreach!