ASHWAUBENON (WLUK) — Wednesday’s school day started a little differently for thousands of eighth graders from across the greater Green Bay area.
“It’s like speed dating, only for careers,” said Sarah Scharenbrock, manager of recruitment and admissions at NWTC.
‘Find Your Inspiration’ event helps Green Bay 8th graders explore interests, career paths (WLUK)
Instead of heading to their classrooms, the students packed buses that rolled into the Resch Expo for the annual “Find Your Inspiration” event.
West De Pere eighth grader Trey Barrette said, “I am thinking of looking at stuff that helps me learn about building and engineering and all of that stuff, so I can be better in the future.”
“Sixth, seventh and eighth grade is the most pivotal point in students making that career decision, so we are trying to capture them at the most impressionable age and expose them to all of the careers they can find right here in Northeast Wisconsin,” said Scharenbrock.
Director of Talent and Education with the Greater Green Bay Chamber Nikki Schneider said, “I think that this is a great opportunity for students to dive in and explore the careers they are interested in, and almost just as importantly, what they are not interested in. Maybe I have always said that I wanted to be a firefighter, and then I talk to a firefighter and realize that’s not really what I thought it was.”
Edison Middle School Earth sciences teacher Scott Stromberger said students can start building their future today.
“Our high schools are kind of geared toward areas of interest. East is fine arts, Preble has a good culinary program, West has a great construction program. And we talk about that to our eighth graders, about how you can take your interests and really specialize into those programs and drive or get bussed to some of those programs. Even though you are in the Preble district, you may go to West for a construction class,” said Stromberger.
“Find Your Inspiration” event at the Resch Center, November 5, 2025 (WLUK/Savannah Wood)
Scharenbrock added, “The earlier someone decides on a career or a career cluster path, the more opportunities that individual can start then when they are in high school. There is so much college credit offered in local schools here for students. We have students graduating with diplomas and degrees and their high school diploma at the same time, so we really do want to help them, if they can get on that path earlier, to ensure they can save money, start earlier, have access to these resources.”
Eighth graders in Green Bay begin their high school elective registration next week.
Scharenbrock said around 80% of local high school graduates stay in the area.