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 The website offers a one-stop career exploration resource
for students, parents, and educators in Greater Peoria. The site
provides critical career information and guidance, along with
internship opportunities and a long list of events, programs, and
camps designed to support a student's search for the ideal career.
“One of the biggest complaints we received from educators, parents,
and students was the challenge of navigating all of the many career
development resources and programs,” said Jennifer Daly, CEO for the
Greater Peoria EDC. “We designed this site to be that one place
everyone can go to find out about careers in demand in our region,
how to access those careers, and all the great resources that can
help a student prepare with the support of parents, educators, and
local employers.”
 MakeYourselfGP features a portal through which students can access
Career Cruising software to help them identify the careers that fit
them best and connect with career coaches. This page also highlights
the region’s most critically needed careers, apprenticeship
opportunities, internships, and scholarship information.
MakeYourselfGP.org also allows parents to monitor their student’s
career exploration and find resources to help guide them on a path
to success.
“Career Cruising is an incredible online resource offered at no
charge to all of the schools in the Illinois Central College
district through funding provided by P.E.R.F.E.C.T.,” said Daly.
“And yet when we spoke with educators and students, many of them had
never heard of the program. We wanted to make sure everyone knew
about Career Cruising and how to get their log in and password.”
MakeYourselfGP.org is also for employers. They can use the site to
access Career Cruising, create a company profile, become a Career
Coach, highlight their industry, and offer internships and job
shadow experiences directly to students. The site creates an easy
way for employers to work hand-in-hand with regional educators to
prepare their future talent pipeline.
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“We wanted an easy way for employers to get involved and connect
with classrooms,” said Daly. “We hope every employer who worries
about finding future talent will go to MakeYour- selfGP.org and
create a profile on Career Cruising. This is one simple way to help
support the positive career development of regional students.”
MakeYourselfGP also offers a calendar of local events, activities, camps, and
programs that build STEM skills and offer additional career exploration
opportunities to middle and high school students. Users can join an online
mailing list and receive a monthly e-newsletter with reminders about events and
other resources that can support their career pathway.
“We are excited about what MakeYourselfGP offers today and also the power it can
have in the future as one place where we can continue to share valuable
information about our region’s most critically needed careers and the pathways
for students to access them,” said Daly. “Every parent and educator wants to
help their student find the ideal career path. We hope this site will offer a
much easier way to provide the support and guidance needed for success.”
[Kate Carroll, Director of Workforce
Solutions
Greater Peoria Economic Development Council]
Note: Lincoln
and Logan County are members of the Greater Peoria Economic
Development Council. As such, residents of Logan County are
invited to take advantage of free programs offered through the GPEDC.
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