STUDENTS

What do you want to be?

It’s a question that can generate excitement as well as confusion, no matter how old you are. But it’s never too early to start exploring what opportunities are out there. Today’s modern world is filled with new career and employment choices that weren’t even available when you were born.

Do you love technology? Maybe you could be a computer programmer, a robotics engineer or a digital artist. Music? Become a music producer or recording engineer. Art? See what it takes to be a graphic designer or digital game creator.

Whether you’re thinking of going to college, getting an industry-recognized certification, going into the military or becoming an entrepreneur, there are so many ways forward. That’s why we’ve created the Your Future: Make It Your Own (YF:MIYO) website—to help you explore, learn and prepare yourself for your future, no matter what you have in mind.

Discover Your Passion

Do you love ecology? Sports? Architecture? Or even something as specific as bugs? Chances are, no matter what makes your heart beat a little faster, there is a career opportunity available in our area that can tap into your strengths and interests and turn what you care about into a lifestyle you love.

YOU DECIDE

That’s why we’ve created the Your Future: Make It Your Own (YF:MIYO) website—to help you explore, learn and prepare yourself for your future, no matter what you have in mind.

Explore What Our Region Has to Offer

Healthcare. Manufacturing and distribution. Agriculture. Insurance. Auto innovation. Aerospace. Information technology. These are just some of northeast Indiana’s existing industries that offer great opportunities for students straight out of high school or college. From apprenticeships and internships to full-time positions, there are plenty of places close to home to start your career and move up the ladder. And if you want to continue your education, we have an impressive choice of higher education options as well.

Enjoy the Benefits of Staying Close to Home

Northeast Indiana is one of the most affordable places in the United States to live, work and play, with tons of activities, restaurants and events to keep you both happy and busy. Want a taste of the big city? We are just three hours or less by car from Chicago, Cincinnati and Indianapolis—but not nearly as expensive. By going to school or learning a career in northeast Indiana, you can save thousands, not just on tuition and fees but on housing as well. Plus, you can’t put a price on the benefits of being close to your friends and family.

YOUR FUTURE

Choose Your Path

Our goal at YF:MIYO is to help you navigate career opportunities that make sense for you, encourage you to choose your own adventure (it is your life, after all) and to provide a road map of opportunities to explore right here in northeast Indiana—opportunities you may not even be aware of. We want to give you information, tools and resources to support you in confidently finding your way forward into a meaningful career and life.
START YOUR JOURNEY

Why Stay Here in Northeast Indiana

From vibrant downtown Fort Wayne to outdoor adventures, professional sports, awesome festivals and events and outstanding educational choices, our region consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in the United States and offers one of the nation’s lowest cost of living.

STUDENTS

Learn Your Way

Everyone learns differently. Some like reading books or articles. Some like listening to informative podcasts. Some like watching "Let's Plays" or Twitch streams. Some like meeting people IRL. We've curated resources for all types of learners. 

Go ahead. Learn your way.

SEE ALL

Tools to Help Identify Your Strengths

Myers-Briggs Assessment (Personality Assessment and Identifier)

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) assessment is one of the world’s most popular personality tools. Used by more than 88 percent of Fortune 500 companies in 115 countries, and available in 29 languages, it has become the go-to framework for people development globally. With more than 70 years of science-based, research-based insight, the MBTI assessment is a robust tool for self-awareness and improvement. It provides positive language for understanding and valuing individual differences. With practical insight that’s easy to understand and implement, the MBTI assessment has helped thousands of organizations and millions of people around the world improve how they communicate, learn, and work. Although there is no set cut off point for using the MBTI tool with younger people, as long as they have the reading capacity to understand the questionnaire, it is generally recommended that the MBTI tool is not be suitable for those younger than 13 years of age.

Clifton StrengthsExplorer

Clifton StrengthsExplorer helps kids discover and develop their talents. Each child is gifted in their own extraordinary way, but sometimes we take that for granted. In fact, having unique differences is our best multiplier for success. You can better prepare your elementary- and middle-school-aged children by giving them the ability to better know their own potential. By taking Clifton StrengthsExplorer, your child will receive a report with their top three talents and ideas for how to highlight, illuminate and provide important data and action steps for a better future. When kids discover their talents, it can lead to: resilience and confidence productivity and engagement in school hope and direction for the future And doesn't every child deserve to have all of these advantages? Primarily for ages 10-14, ages 15+ should use Clifton Strengths. (fee based)

Torrence Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT)

The highly reliable Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking are the most widely used tests of their kind since testing only requires the examinee to reflect upon their life experiences. These tests invite examinees to draw and give a title to their drawings (pictures) or to write questions, reasons, consequences, and different uses for objects (words). These instruments can effectively assist with the identification of creatively gifted and talented students. The TTCT is used as a part of gifted matrices in districts across the US, especially in multicultural settings, and for special populations around the world. Published in two equivalent forms, Forms A and B, the Figural and Verbal TTCT can be used for pre- and post-testing.

Marion Regional Career Center

College bound? Career bound? Need skills that will help you get a job after you graduate high school? MRCC is the RIGHT PLACE FOR YOU! Career and technical education courses help students explore their interests and career possibilities, and prepare for a career of interest. Content of career and technical education courses includes academic subject matter taught with relevance to the real world, job-related activities and workplace ethics. At MRCC, CTE students can earn high school credit and college credit while working toward a specific nationally recognized certification. Programs include aviation, biomed, construction, culinary arts (Giant Bistro), education, pharmacology, physical therapy, public safety, and more! Most MRCC classes have a home base at Marion High School campus, at 750 W. 26th St. Some classes are held at other locations, including aviation classes held at Marion Regional Airport and construction classes held at various building sites.

Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship

You may be able to secure a registered apprenticeship as young as 16 years old. Learn more at www.in.gov/dwd/owbla, where you can use an apprenticeship finder to search for opportunities, apply directly with the employer or sponsor, or simply learn about apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship and Certified State Earn and Learn (SEAL) programs. You can also contact your local WorkOne Northeast career center. WorkOne Northeast locations can be found at www.neinworks.org/workone-locations

Work and Learn Indiana

Work and Learn Indiana is a program of the Institute for Workforce Excellence, a nonprofit subsidiary of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. The goal of Work and Learn Indiana is to create or expand high-quality experiential opportunities, such as internships and apprenticeships, and retain Hoosier talent. Even if you aren’t ready yet for an internship or apprenticeship, you might want to take a peek at www.workandlearnindiana.com The site includes a searchable database of employers and candidates.

“I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have.”

Thomas Jefferson

Resources

Whether you want to chase your dreams or follow a well-planned path, take some time to explore our resources, expose your mind to new possibilities and experience a glimpse of what your future could look like from your perspective.

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Northeast Indiana Works

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Your Future

Choose Your Path

Educating, empowering and exposing the region's future workforce to the breadth and depth of career paths and helping them align their strenghts, abilities, and passions to steer self-descovery.

Start your journey