New career planning tool provides Michigan-specific data
![](https://abc10up.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/pathfinder.jpg)
MARQUETTE — A new online education tool is helping Upper Peninsula residents create successful job pathways.
A press conference held Tuesday by the Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency (MARESA) introduced Pathfinder to the public. Pathfinder provides Michigan–specific career planning data to help educators, students and their families make informed choices about careers and post–secondary education options.
This online tool has already helped a few local students.
“You’re able to look at careers, jobs, colleges, what kind of field of study, the occupation you may want to go into,” said junior Christopher Sirois from Gwinn High School, who defined his engineering career path using Pathfinder. “It really helps you get you on the path that you want to be on.”
Pathfinder is the first of its kind in Michigan. The tool updates with real–time statistics, including projections, annual openings, growth potential and in–state schools that offer the program of interest.
Not only is Pathfinder online, but it’s free and convenient.
“I was pleasantly surprised at how easy this was to use and, again, the fact that it’s in real–time,” said MARESA Superintendent Deborah Veiht. “This will take a burden off of educators in that it’s done for them to use with students. It’s not something that they have to invent or schedule classes to see. It’s always available and that’s pretty exciting.”
Pathfinder can also be used for veterans or for people are looking to change careers. You can explore Pathfinder by clicking HERE.