AUBURN, IN – June 18, 2025 – The J. Kruse Education Center is proud to announce a
collaboration with Google aimed to make career exploration more accessible for students across
northeast Indiana. Over the next 18 months, Google will subsidize admission costs for all
students visiting Career Quest removing financial barriers and empowering young people to
explore hands-on career opportunities.
Career Quest is an innovative experience, aiming to provide immersive, real-world career
exploration that ignites passion and drives young minds. Through 16 dynamic career pathways,
students interact directly with professionals, helping them gain practical insights into hundreds of
careers in one location.
Through this partnership, Career Quest’s admission fees will be fully waived for each student,
thanks to Google’s generous support. This initiative will help create lasting impact on students’
career decision-making and self-efficacy.
“Career exploration isn’t just about choosing a job, but uncovering what a student is passionate
about,” said Arienne Thompson Plourde, Global Engagement Lead, Google Data Centers. “We
believe this collaboration with J. Kruse Education to provide access for thousands of students to
experience Career Quest will support the very minds that will drive the innovation of tomorrow
and ensure a strong and skilled workforce for years to come in Indiana and beyond. ”
“We are so excited that Google is providing this opportunity for students to experience Career
Quest,” said Matt Toth, executive director of the J. Kruse Education Center. “This partnership
allows us to expand our reach and help more young people discover their passions and potential
career paths.”
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.
