April 28, 2025
On April 2, April 10, and April 23, Northland Community & Technical College hosted its first-ever Northland Expo, a dynamic career fair designed for middle and high school students across the region. More than 800 students, along with their high school counselors, visited Northland’s campuses and sites to explore a wide range of career possibilities and academic programs.
The inaugural Expo was held at four locations—East Grand Forks, Thief River Falls, Warroad, and Northland’s Aerospace site—providing a welcoming and accessible environment for students in grades 7–12 to engage directly with employers, participate in interactive workshops, and learn about the educational pathways that lead to high-demand careers.
“This event was an excellent chance for students to explore potential college and career options,” said Chad Sperling, Director of Marketing, Communications, and Recruiting at Northland. “With companies eager to hire and Northland offering programs that prepare students for success, events like this help bridge the gap between education and workforce needs.”
Highlights of the Expo included:
- Career Fair: Students met with employers from a variety of industries to learn about current job openings and career expectations.
- Interactive Workshops: Led by Northland faculty, these sessions allowed students to explore different fields through hands-on activities and demonstrations.
- Campus and Site Tours: Guided tours showcased Northland’s facilities, labs, and academic offerings.
- PSEO Opportunities: Students also met with Northland’s Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) representative to learn how they can earn college credit while still in high school—an exciting opportunity to get a head start on their college journey.
View photo galleries from each Expo location:
Students from across Northwest Minnesota and Northeast North Dakota attended the event, making Northland Expo a regional celebration of career exploration and educational opportunity. Plans are already underway to make the Expo an annual tradition.
Learn more about Northland Expo and stay up to date on future event dates at: northlandcollege.edu/expo