Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates – Talent Tour!

Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates – Talent Tour!

November 6, 2019 – A dozen Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) students from the Out of School Youth (OOSY) program had a unique opportunity to visit the Michigan State Police’s (MSP) main campus in Dimondale. The Talent Tour started with a visit to the MSP K-9 Unit, followed by a tour of the Scenario House, where simulation exercises are performed to prepare State Troopers for work in the field. Next, students visited the Michigan State Police museum where they handled the miniature bomb squad robot and fingerprint machine, which were two of several “challenge activities”. The young adults were excited to sit in the demo-trooper patrol car, a.k.a. the Blue Goose.

The group then visited the Central Operations and Intelligence unit to learn how State Law Enforcement uses surveillance technology to monitor daily situations (statewide) and aid in search and rescue initiatives. They learned how missing child was recently located in a wooded area by using MSP drones! The group was informed how they and their peers can benefit from the MSP “Okay2Say” program, which has proven to reduce statewide suicide and bullying both in and out of school by using open and safe communication with education strategies. Teachers who build program curriculum and are educated in public affairs have great careers in law enforcement too!

Finally, the tour ended with the youth entering MSP’s nationally recognized State Emergency Operations Center where many youth were heard saying “Wow!” Although each participant had a different takeaway, all valued the eye-opening opportunity to explore career options within law enforcement. Participants marveled how law enforcement involves far more than traffic policing and where becoming a trooper is not required to have a rewarding career. JMG OOSY are now aware law enforcement is a high demand industry which offers hundreds of career opportunities. It was a great day for our youth!