EPIC for Influencers

Who is an Influencer?

Any adult who supports students as they explore career options is welcome and encouraged to attend! Whether you’re a parent, teacher, business professional, community member or volunteer, if you impact a student’s pathway, then you should attend the Influencer event.

What to expect

Similar to the EPIC student event, attendees will meet business representatives from a wide variety of industries represented in the Minnesota Department of Education’s career wheel. You will see examples of the hands-on activities students engage in at the one-day EPIC event, but the Influencer event focuses on deep, meaningful conversations to help adults learn how to support students as they explore career options. Plan to be at the event from a half-hour to an hour.

Meet local educators

Representatives from area school districts and colleges will host booths at the Influencer event and answer your questions. Once you meet with industry professionals, stop by the education booths to discover high school and college courses that will help students learn about and achieve the careers they are interested in.

Attend with your youth

To get the most out of this event, bring students with you to meet business professionals and engage in informative conversations. This is a fantastic opportunity for both you and your student to ask any questions you may have about entering a career field or to help narrow down career paths that may fit their interests.

All ages welcome

Students of all ages are welcome to attend with an adult! While EPIC programming focuses on tenth-, eleventh- and twelfth-graders, students in sixth grade may start exploring interests and potential careers.

Sign Up for a Booth

Represent your industry

Each of the six sectors of the MDE career wheel will be represented with booths at EPIC for Influencers. Industries will be clustered together and spread out around the main building on SCTCC’s campus.

Increase brand awareness

Business representatives should plan to wear their logo gear and bring swag and informational handouts to give away to attendees. This is an opportunity for attendees to learn about your industry, but also to get to know your company and the types of positions you offer.

Impact our community

While this is not a hiring event, this is a chance for both students and adults to learn your company name, roles within your business and what it’s like to work in your industry. This is a mutually beneficial event because your business learns about local talent, while attendees discover the many fantastic career opportunities right here in Central Minnesota.

What to expect

You will be grouped with other businesses that fall into your sector on the MDE career wheel so several booths will showcase opportunities in your industry. Attendees will be adults and the youth they influence. Examples of hands-on career exploration activities are encouraged, but the real value of this event is the in-depth, meaningful, one-on-one conversations you an have with attendees.

Volunteer on Event Day

Volunteer needs

Volunteers help businesses set-up and tear-down booths, check in attendees and direct traffic. While the Influencers event is not a “heavy labor” event, more volunteers there are to help, the more smoothly the helping hands there are creates a smooth, informative event.

Time commitment

Flexibility is the name of the game! Event organizers will recognize and appreciate the amount of time you can offer. Roles are designated as Set Up, During Event and Tear Down. Your availability determines the role you will be given.