AUBURN, IN – Jan. 21, 2025 – The J. Kruse Education Center (JKEC), a nonprofit dedicated to reshaping how career education is perceived and delivered, is excited to announce it has received a $750,000 grant from the Northeast Indiana Strategic Development Commission. This funding will support a new initiative called Career Quest, aiming to provide immersive, real-world career exploration experiences that ignite passion and drive young minds. JKEC has identified 16 dynamic career pathways and is creating an immersive career exploration experience for each pathway that students can explore to learn more about different careers. At Career Quest, students will explore Personal Opportunities for Different Skills or PODS. They will be able to explore and engage with any of the 16 career path PODS and interact with professionals working in each specific field. After journeying through the PODS, they will have the chance to meet with coaches about specific paths that stand out to them and how they can further explore what careers might be right for them. “With this grant, JKEC will continue to build on this foundation, making a meaningful difference in career exploration,” said Matt Toth, executive director. The Northeast Indiana Strategic Development Commission received funding from the State of Indiana to strategically focus efforts on education, housing, and local economic growth. By supporting Career Quest, they are helping students engage in a hands-on career learning experience with hundreds of careers in one location. The Northeast Indiana Strategic Development Commission firmly believes in the overall effectiveness, impact, and sustainability of this project. “We are laser-focused on providing students with individualized career path experiences. We’re honored that the SDC not only believes in our vision and mission but has chosen to financially support it” said John Kruse, founder and board chair. Community members who want to support or learn more about this initiative are encouraged to visit https://jkruseeducation.org/ or follow J. Kruse Education Center on Facebook or Instagram for updates.
Founded in 2011, The J. Kruse Education Center was created as an opportunity to provide career exploration programs to individuals in Northeast Indiana. Recently, JKEC has worked with local schools, businesses, policymakers, and nonprofits to expand their programs and services including the Career Coaching Academy and Career Match. The Career Coaching Academy supports schools and students by providing individualized coaching sessions during school hours. Career Match is a digital app platform that allows students to see their coaching results, connect with their career coach, explore businesses and potential job opportunities, and use the proprietary smart match feature to zero in on careers that would best fit their unique talents and interests.
