THIEF RIVER FALLS, Minn, March. 11, 2024 — Northland Community & Technical College invites students in grades 7-12 and their teachers and families to a day of career exploration and discovery at its Thief River Falls campus and Aerospace Site. The free event, “Experience Northland: Expo Day,” includes workshops, tours, and hands-on experiences designed to introduce prospective students to the wide range of career and technical programs available at Northland.

“Experience Northland: Expo Day” is a joint venture by Northland and the National Center for Autonomous Technologies (NCAT) to allow students to explore various career paths, meet instructors, and participate in interactive demonstrations.

“We want to open a student’s eyes to the many exciting career opportunities available right here in our region,” said Dr. Sandy Kiddoo, president of Northland Community & Technical College. “Our programs are tailored to meet the workforce needs of local employers, and this event is a chance for students to discover programs of study they may be passionate about.”

Student Events

“Experience Northland: Expo Day” will be filled with exciting opportunities for students to:

• Learn about programs like aviation, welding, agriculture, criminal justice, nursing, and more.
• Customize their experience with hands-on activities like drone racing, calf birthing and ultrasound simulator, stick and wire feed welding, and more.
• Tour Northland’s state-of-the-art facilities.
• Talk to current students and instructors.
• See simulators and other high-tech demonstrations.
• Learn about admission requirements, scholarships, financial aid options, student life, and support services.

The event is a fun and accessible way for students to visualize themselves studying at Northland in the future. The workshops, demonstrations, and hands-on activities will open their eyes to careers they may not have previously considered.

“Experience Northland: Expo Day” will be held from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on April 11, 2024. The event is free and open to students, parents, teachers, and school counselors. Free lunch will be provided, and transportation between Northland’s sites will be available.

Aerospace Opens Doors to Community

Northland’s Aerospace Site will be hosting a community open house from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event will provide an opportunity to get an up-close look at Northland’s aviation maintenance technology and UAS programs. Attendees will see the aircraft, simulators, and tools students work on as they prepare for their careers in the booming industry. The open house is free and open to the public.

“There is a growing need for skilled workers in the aerospace and aviation fields,” said Monty Johnson, Interim Dean of Technical Programs at Northland. “Our open house is a chance for people to see what exciting aviation careers Northland’s programs can prepare them for, whether they want to work on the ground or in the air.”  

Northland is committed to providing accessible, hands-on education that prepares students for high-demand careers. “Experience Northland: Expo Day” and the Aerospace Community Open House provide a glimpse of the engaging, relevant learning experiences Northland offers.

To attend “Experience Northland: Expo Day” or to learn more about programs and resources at Northland Community & Technical College, visit northlandcollege.edu/experience or email admissions@northlandcollege.edu.