Career Pathway Initiative

KRESA Career Connect's Career Pathway Planning Programming pairs career exploration and awareness with skills applications. Our programming allows individuals in Kalamazoo, Calhoun, St. Joseph and Branch Counties to get paid while exploring careers - as early as age 14 - during the school year months working with a paired mentor through the online curriculum and job shadows and then apply those skills in MyCITY's paid work experience and internship availability.

Participants are encouraged to apply for programming to get connected to a Career Coach and gain hands on experience through MyCITY, learning the fundamentals of a handful of industries and testing the waters before jumping into a training or credential opportunity through CareerNOW. 

This initiative is designed to fill gaps in youth services related to participant training, internships and staff professional development. The Career Pathway Initiative is currently funded through grants from Consumers Energy Foundation, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and the Southwest Michigan Regional Prosperity Initiative.