Connecting Students to Local Careers

Helping students see a future for themselves close to home starts with meaningful, real-world exposure. The Fund for Northern Tier Development and IU-17's Lunch & Learn program is helping businesses and educators come together to open doors, share experiences and spark interest in careers that exist across our region.

Bringing Career Paths to Life

This program is a regional effort designed to help students explore real career paths and better understand nearby workforce opportunities. IU-17 plays a central role by working directly in schools to coordinate sessions, prepare participating employers, and create experiences that resonate with students.

By connecting students face to face with local professionals, the program moves beyond job titles and descriptions and shows what these careers actually look like day to day.

Why These Connections Matter

When businesses take time to talk about what they do, including products and services, wages and benefits, work schedules, and hands-on job experiences, students are more likely to picture themselves in those roles. These conversations help make career possibilities feel tangible, relatable, and achievable.

How the Program Works

With funding secured through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education by The Fund for Northern Tier Development, IU-17 leads the day-to-day implementation of the Lunch & Learn program in schools. This includes coordinating with school districts, supporting employers as they prepare to participate, and facilitating lunchtime sessions that fit naturally into the school day. Local employers visit schools during these sessions, giving students direct access to professionals and real-world insight without disrupting their academic schedule.

What Students Experience

Each session is designed to be interactive and memorable. Students can expect:

• Hands-on activities tied to real careers

• Conversations with local professionals about their paths and experiences

• Insight into skills, training, and expectations for different fields

• A clearer picture of what a future career could look like

Strong Partnerships, Shared Vision

This initiative is strengthened through collaboration with CareerLinks, the Northern Tier Planning and Development Commission, and the Northern Tier Industry and Education Consortium. Each partner brings valuable insight, workforce expertise, and regional perspective to the program. Together, these organizations share a commitment to workforce development, education, and creating meaningful connections between students and local employers.

Looking Ahead

The goal is simple but powerful: spark curiosity, inspire exploration, and build lasting connections between students and the opportunities available in our region. By starting these conversations early, we help students see that meaningful careers do not require leaving home and that their future can begin right where they are.