Career Connections Builds Collaboration in Washington County Schools

The award-winning Career Connections program is growing in Washington County, with teacher participation nearly doubling last year and new businesses reaching out to invite educators to their facilities. In 2025, 55 teachers participated in this three-day externship, meeting with various employers and learning about the region's workforce needs.    

“We recognized a gap in teacher awareness for how careers are changing in our area,” says Mike Miron, Career and Technical Education Coordinator for Forest Lake Area Schools. “This program allows educators to further their knowledge of local industries so they can share that information with their students.

Better information for educators means students can receive accurate, detailed, and personalized advice as they make plans for after graduation. This allows them to make better choices while they are still in school. Keep reading to learn why the Career Connections program benefits everyone in East Metro MSP. 

Educators Learn About the Career Pathways of Local Employers  

The goal of the career pathways externship is to help educators understand what local companies need when they hire employees. Over the course of three days, educators visit multiple companies, spending two to four hours at each business. They engage in hands-on activities, listen to presentations from various team members, and have space to ask questions.

After the tours, the teachers come together to discuss what they learned and the trends they are noticing. Miron emphasizes that participants aren’t just CTE educators. The participating teachers come from all backgrounds, ranging from math and writing to science and social studies.

“A high school teacher sees about 125 students a day,” says Miron. “They have the power to build career readiness into their coursework, no matter what they teach. This could mean challenging students to improve their communication skills or tying a lesson to a certain career path – like the spread of bacteria in science class to the healthcare field.”

The externship was made financially possible through a partnership with the Washington County Community Development Agency (CDA), which provides stipends for participating teachers. This program is voluntary, with more teachers asking to participate each summer. 

The Program Allows for Cross-District Development 

Another benefit of the Career Connections program is that it brought together teachers from across Washington County, allowing educators from different school districts to share ideas and solutions.

“Regardless of where a school is in their CTE development, they can jump into this program,” says Miron. “So much professional development occurs within the school walls. This is a unique opportunity for learning to occur in a unique setting.”

Miron explains that teachers rarely have the chance to connect with peers outside their district. When they do, it is often at state or national conferences where the content could be too broad or potentially irrelevant from one region to the next. This program allows for collaboration at the local level, with educators focusing directly on supporting students in Washington County. 

Educators Can Offer Meaningful Counseling to Students

The goal of the Career Connections program is to empower educators to provide students with accurate, up-to-date insights as they make post-graduation plans. Teachers who complete this externship should be able to speak about in-demand career fields and what it takes to enter them.

“Our role isn’t just to help students graduate, it’s to help them transition to the next step after graduation,” says Miron. “In Forest Lake, we start talking to students about careers in elementary school, with a heightened focus in middle and high school.”

This is why the Career Connections facility tours are paired with data-backed discussions with insights from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. The focus isn’t just on the companies inviting educators in, but the concrete regional trends as a whole. 

Local Businesses Are Needed for the 2026 Cohort 

Miron and his team are still looking for businesses willing to open their doors to educators in 2026 and beyond. The Career Connections program is limited by the number of businesses available, and more companies mean more opportunities for teachers to learn about regional employment trends.

If you operate a local business in East Metro MSP, contact Miron at mmiron@flaschools.org. He can provide more information about the dates, expectations, and opportunities to get involved with the local school systems.   

Workforce Development is a Priority in East Metro MSP

Workforce development takes many forms, from creating better career pathways for students to providing affordable education resources for adults. East Metro MSP is dedicated to supporting residents and small businesses by making workforce development, education, and training accessible. These talent efforts can help with immediate productivity goals and long-term business attraction efforts alike.

Learn more about the Washington County CDA and its workforce efforts. Contact us to discuss your organization’s needs and potential opportunities.