A Special Future in the Trades: Callen’s Journey with MWSW

When Callen enrolled in the Michigan Works! Southwest Young Professionals Plus Program in December 2024, he was eager to begin building his future. Like many young adults preparing to enter the workforce for the first time, he knew he wanted a career and a sense of independence, but he was still figuring out how to get there.

At the time, Callen had no previous work experience and lacked many of the employability skills needed to confidently pursue employment opportunities. He did not have a current resume, had limited interview experience, and was unsure how to present himself to potential employers. He was also interested in pursuing a hands-on career in the skilled trades, but he wasn’t certain which opportunities existed or how to explore them further.

One challenge stood out above the rest. Callen understood that maintaining employment and pursuing future training opportunities would be difficult without reliable transportation. Obtaining his driver’s license became an important personal goal and a key step toward achieving the independence he wanted.

Rather than allowing these obstacles to slow him down, Callen committed himself to learning, growing, and taking advantage of every opportunity available to him. Callen gained valuable hands-on experience through two paid internships with the MyCITY Paid Internship Program. These opportunities allowed him to experience workplace expectations firsthand while developing the communication, professionalism, and reliability employers value. His supervisors consistently recognized his strong work ethic and positive attitude, providing highly favorable evaluations that reflected the growth he demonstrated throughout both internship experiences.

As his confidence grew in the workplace, Callen continued making progress in other areas of his life as well. In June 2025, he proudly graduated from Battle Creek Central High School, achieving an important milestone that brought him one step closer to his long-term goals. Shortly afterward, he accomplished another significant achievement by earning his driver’s license. What had once been a barrier to employment became a symbol of his growing independence and determination.

With reliable transportation now available, Callen was able to expand his opportunities and move forward with greater confidence. At the same time, he continued exploring potential careers within the skilled trades. Through career exploration activities, hands-on experiences, and guidance from his Career Coach, he gained a deeper understanding of the many pathways available within the industry. The more he learned, the more confident he became about the direction he wanted to pursue.

That exploration ultimately led Callen to identify the Regional Manufacturing Technology Center (RMTC) at Kellogg Community College as the right fit for his future. For the first time, he could clearly see a pathway connecting his interests, his education, and the career he hoped to build.

Reflecting on his experience, Callen shared that working with his Career Coach and participating in the opportunities offered through Michigan Works! Southwest helped him discover and access a career pathway that he had always believed was possible but had struggled to find on his own as a high school student.

Today, Callen is well on his way toward achieving his goal of entering the skilled trades. Through hard work, persistence, and a willingness to embrace new experiences, he has graduated from high school, gained meaningful work experience, earned his driver’s license, and identified a clear postsecondary training pathway. Most importantly, he has developed the confidence and direction needed to take the next steps toward a successful career.

Callen’s journey demonstrates the power of combining determination with opportunity. With the right support, hands-on experience, and guidance, he transformed uncertainty into a clear plan for the future, and that future is just getting started.