Michigan City, IN – April 14, 2022 – More than 75 companies, business professionals, and retirees
came together on Thursday to meet and mentor students at the A. K. Smith Career Center’s 2022 Future
Careers Expo.
Many of the volunteers conducted mock interviews with students at the daylong event, which has
become an annual tradition for the LaPorte County Career and Technical Education program.
Companies, armed forces representatives, and higher-education institutions also set up exhibit tables to
speak with CTE students about employment, apprenticeships, and education opportunities. Many of the
students dressed professionally for the occasion, and all presented resumes to the volunteer interviewers.
A team-building activity rounded out the day for students, facilitated by A. K. Smith teachers.
“Every student I spoke with today told me that the career center has made a difference in their lives,”
said Julie Krause, General Manager at Patrick’s Grille, who was on hand to conduct mock interviews
with students. “They said that the experiences they are having here have kept them on track
academically; they feel career-tech classes have motivated them and kept them engaged.”
Companies represented at the event included the Army National Guard, Blue Chip Casino, Bowen
Center, The Color Lounge, Denmark College, Diedrich Drills, Duneland Landscape, Four Winds Casino,
GAF Materials Corp., General Insurance Services, Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Hair Cuttery,
Horizon Bank, Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters, Indiana University Northwest,
IBEW 531, Iron Workers 395, Ivy Tech, Jet Fabricators, LaPorte Community Schools, Lippert, Love Her
Beauty, Michigan City Area Schools, Michigan City Chamber of Commerce, Michigan City Fire
Department, Michigan City Police Department, Milo Enterprises, Morris Inn and Notre Dame
Conference Center, Ohio Tech, Otis Worldwide, Patrick’s Catering and Events, Purdue Northwest, Ridge
Napa Auto Parts, Southwestern Michigan College, Shear Madness Hair Studio, Starbucks, Sullair,
Superior Ambulance, Universal Technical Institute, the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, Valparaiso
University, Westville High School, and Winn Machine.
The A. K. Smith Career Center serves juniors and seniors from six county high schools – including
Lacrosse, LaPorte, Michigan City, New Prairie, South Central, and Westville – and from New Buffalo
High School. CTE programs provide students with dual college credits and certifications in 14
disciplines, including Automotive, Construction, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Culinary, Education
Professions, EMT, Energy, Fire Science, Health Careers, Manufacturing, Video Production, Welding,
and general Career Skills. For more information, visit http://educateMC.net/careertech
