Over the past six weeks, 7th and 8th grade Jobs for Maine's Graduates (JMG) students at Sanford Middle School took part in three career exploration experiences, giving them a firsthand look at career pathways they may pursue after graduation.
Students visited the Sanford Fire Department, the Center for Wildlife, and both the Wells and Sanford campuses of York County Community College, including the newly opened First Responder Training Facility in Alfred.
Rather than simply observing, students actively participated in activities connected to careers in emergency services, environmental science, electrical work, and welding.
These experiences are central to JMG's mission of connecting students to career and college pathways before they leave middle school.
By exposing students to real workplaces and professionals, the program helps them build confidence, discover new interests, and begin making meaningful connections between their education and their future.