We are excited to announce and host the very first annual Central Dakota Student Career Expo happening on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 from 8:30am- 2:30pm at the Bismarck Event Center! The Central Dakota Student Career Expo creates a meaningful connection between students and local businesses, giving high schoolers the opportunity to explore industries, discover career paths, and gain insight into their futures.
Businesses
This event offers businesses the platform to engage directly with students, showcase career opportunities, and invest in shaping North Dakota's future workforce while fostering connections that could lead to long-term community impact.
DEADLINE to register is October 17th.
Become An Exhibitor Sponsorship Opportunities
Exhibitor List
Click here to expand
Job Service North Dakota
Northwest Contracting
NISC
Dakota Eye Institute
Missouri Slope
TrueNorth Steel
North Dakota DOT
RDO Equipment
DMVW Railroad
North Dakota 4-H Camp NDSU Extension
Wallwork Truck Center
Titan Machinery
Bobcat Company
City of Mandan
Farm Credit Services of Mandan
Northern Improvement Co.
North Dakota State University
MDU Resources Group, Inc.
Bismarck State College
Anne Carlsen
City of Bismarck
Basin Electric Power Cooperative
Hess Corporation
Butler Machinery Company
Advanced Mechanical Inc.
Dakota Zoo
Capital Credit Union
BNC National Bank
Pride Inc.
Menards/Midwest Manufacturing
Kinder Morgan Inc
Kraus-Anderson Construction Company
Puklich Chevrolet, Inc.
Northern Plains Rail Services
Brady Martz
Missouri Slope
Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas
Edgewood
ND Rural Water Systems Association
Capital City Construction, Inc.
Burleigh County Sheriff
Executive Air Transportation Corporation
Easter Seals Goodwill, ND
Roers Construction
Nextera Energy
Williston State College
North American Coal
Plains Ag
Farmers Choice Seed
Baker Boy
North Dakota Newspaper Association
Duane's Body Shop, Inc.
Cloverdale Foods
H.A. Thompson & Sons
Northwest Tire Inc. - South
Benedictine Living Community- Bismarck
Edie Bailly
Metro Area Ambulance
Knife River
Bismarck Larks
Harvestone Low Carbon Partners
Bartlett & West
CHI St. Alexius Health
United States Marine Corps
Dakota Growers Pasta Company
Sanford Health
North Dakota Army National Guard
Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
Schools
25+ schools have been invited for this event! If your schools has not received an invite and would like to participate in this event, please fill out the registration form below.
Register Here
School Resources
School Resources - Prep Work
Career Clusters
A great first step in exploring a professional career in North Dakota is to investigate the sixteen Career Clusters and the associated pathways to that profession.
- Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
- Architecture & Construction
- Arts, A/V Technology & Communications
- Business Management & Administration
- Education & Training
- Finance
- Government & Public Administration
- Health Science
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Human Services
- Information Technology
- Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security
- Manufacturing
- Marketing
- Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
- Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
Career Clusters are a roadmap to the world of work. They group related careers and industries—such as healthcare, information technology, design, education, and more—so you can see the bigger picture of where your interests and talents might take you. By exploring clusters, you’ll discover how classroom learning connects to real jobs, and how different paths can lead to exciting opportunities.
It’s important to remember that careers don’t always fit neatly into a single cluster. The skills you build in one area—like problem solving, communication, or technical know-how—can easily transfer into another. In fact, many careers span multiple clusters and require a mix of skills from different fields. Using Career Clusters as a guide helps you think broadly, explore connections across industries, and keep your options open as you plan your future.
Career Cluster Activity
- Using RUReady.ND.gov, have your students complete the worksheet below before the Expo to help them identify their top three career clusters.
- If your school does not have access to RUReady Advance CTE has some great resources for students.
- Cluster by Cluster Edition: The National Career Clusters Framework Career Interest Survey
- Motivators Edition: The National Career Clusters Framework Career Interest Survey:
- Encourage your students to use the questions below for exhibitors to learn more about the careers that suit their interests and aptitudes!
- What does a typical day look like in your role?
- What education or training do you need for this job?
- What skills are needed in order to do your job?
- What are the most rewarding and most challenging parts of your job?
- What kind of technology, tools, or equipment do you use most often in your work?
- How did you decide on your career pathway?
- What kinds of entry-level jobs are available for high school students in your company?
- What high school classes should I take to prepare for a career in this field?
- Exhibitors will have signage at their booths listing the Career Clusters their company represents at the Expo. *As the expo gets closer, we will link the exhibitors and their corresponding career clusters here.*
In addition, you and your students may also explore the following resources:
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Committee Members
Annie Noonan - National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC)
Ashley Weightman - Odney
Corey Helm - Basin Electric Power Cooperative
Jared Mack - Eide Bailly
Kasey Janz - Bismarck Public Schools
Kathryn Spilman- The Sugar Shack
Keith Schmaltz - Northwest Contracting
Kevin Allan - University of Mary
Kevin Klemisch - University of Mary
Kim Jensen – Central Region Area Career and Technical Center (CRACTC)
Kristi Heupel - Job Service North Dakota
Laura Henkelman - Bismarck Public Schools
Leanne Schmidt - City of Bismarck
Linae Enockson - Sanford Health
Micaela Ranisate - Starion Bank
Micaela Thomas - Job Service North Dakota
Nick Dobrzelecki - Titan Health
Paige Jensen - Mandan Public Schools
Pete Rubke - Bismarck Public Schools
Rachel Howard - 3&ME Coffee
Shannon Balerud - Bismarck Public Schools
Tiffany Eckroth - Drive Retail Marketing
Looking for more information?
Are you an educator or individual looking to learn more about this event? Please reach out to us at [email protected] to get in touch with our committee!