Students Explore Careers at Ridgewater Explore Event
May 6, 2025
WILLMAR and HUTCHINSON, MN – More than 350 high school sophomores from six regional high schools took another step forward in exploring their futures on Friday, April 25 at Ridgewater College, Willmar campus.
The annual Explore Your Future event included nearly 45 exploration and hands-on activities. Primary categories included health care, agriculture, business and marketing, manufacturing, construction trades, automotives, and human services.
“One of the goals we had when we began this event two years ago was to embrace the undecided students,” said Kelley McClure-Mork, Ridgewater College Secondary Perkins Grant coordinator and event coordinator. “We want students to know it’s okay if they don’t know what career they want to have or where they want go after they graduate high school. Being able to visit Ridgewater College to explore careers in a no-pressure environment while trying different activities is a great way to introduce students to careers they didn’t know were possible!”
Attending schools included DREAM Technical Academy in Willmar, New London-Spicer, Kerkhoven-Murdock-Sunburg, Paynesville, MACCRAY, and BOLD in Olivia.
This year’s event sponsors included the Southwest Initiative Foundation, Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, the Kandiyohi County and Willmar Economic Development Corporation, CentraCare, and Hansen Advertising.
Next year’s event is tentatively set for April 24, 2026, and is open and free to any high school interested in having their sophomores attend.
