Workforce

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September 16 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Breaking into the federal innovation space requires knowing where to start — and who can help you get there.

This introductory session is designed to provide small businesses, innovators and technology startup companies with an overview of the federal funding landscape, programs designed to accelerate your technology, and marketing strategies that get you in front of the right people.

As a result of this session, you will:

  • Understand the federal readiness requirements every innovator needs to meet before pursuing government opportunities
  • Learn how SBIR and STTR funding works — from proof of concept through commercialization
  • Identify DoD innovation programs aligned to your technology area, including AFWERX, NavalX, Army Futures Command, DIU, and DARPA
  • Know the marketing materials federal tech scouts expect — Capability Statement, White Paper, Quad Chart and Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF)
  • Discover the Michigan innovation ecosystem and the resources available to support your journey

Presented by Shannon Wilson, M.S., Procurement Counselor at Schoolcraft College APEX Accelerator (SC APEX) and team lead for guiding companies through federal innovation pathways — from SBIR/STTR strategy to positioning for DoD tech scouts.

Schoolcraft College APEX Accelerator services are provided at no cost to eligible businesses in Wayne, Washtenaw, Oakland, Monroe, and Livingston counties.

No attendance fee, registration is required.

Registration Link

This APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of War. Additionally, the Schoolcraft College APEX Accelerator is funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and Schoolcraft College.

Schoolcraft APEX Accelerator Team

734-462-4438

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September 15 @ 9:30 am – 11:00 am

Check-in: 9:30 am – 9:50 am

Presentation and Q&A: 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Are you seeking contracting opportunities with the State of Michigan?

Join us for this interactive and in person training to learn the steps to becoming a contractor for the State of Michigan. These steps include understanding contractor readiness, identifying buying divisions, positioning your business to optimize your success when approaching government agencies.

This session provides you with an overview of:

  • State of Michigan Buying Divisions
  • Vendor Registration/SIGMA VSS
  • Bid and Debriefing Processes
  • State Purchasing Preferences
  • MiSC and MiDEAL

Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with the presenter directly after the formal presentation. Bring business cards and capability statements.

Prior to the training: Register to become a vendor in SIGMA VSS and/or update your vendor profile at michigan.gov/procurement.

Presenter:
Eric Pratt
Geographically Disadvantaged Business Specialist
Central Procurement Services, Michigan Supplier Community, DTMB

No attendance fee, registration is required.

Register Now

This APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of War. Additionally, the Schoolcraft College APEX Accelerator is funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and Schoolcraft College.

Schoolcraft APEX Accelerator Team

734-462-4438

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Miller’s job is to connect job seekers with the help they need as a part of Schoolcraft College’s Career Mentorship and Placement Office.

Jessica Miller’s career has been all about guiding students about careers and encouraging them along their career journey.

The Career Services Navigator in the Schoolcraft College Career Mentorship and Placement Office began her role earlier this year, quickly getting adjusted and helping students.

A Michigan State University alumna, Miller graduated with an English degree. She then made her way to graduate school at Eastern Michigan University, earning a master’s degree in guidance and counseling with a focus in college student personnel. She ended up working in the career services office at the university and discovered her love of helping people. Since then, she’s remained working at various higher education institutions helping students and alumni find work.

Miller began working at Schoolcraft College in January. As she’s been here longer, she’s seen more interest in career mentorship services.

“I meet with students, alumni and the community and help them with just exploring their career path,” she said. “It could be reviewing their resumes, cover letters, job search strategies, interviewing.

Miller visits classes, sharing knowledge with students as they begin their education, helping them better understand what they can do to prepare to enter the workforce once they complete their education. In addition to occupational programs – such as business and accounting – Miller said she’s spoken to plenty of liberal arts classes, including English and history. Career guidance supports all students in all ranges of professions.

As such, the list of who is eligible to receive help is large, and Miller is always working with a wide range of jobseekers including current students, alumni and the community.

“There’s such a diverse group of the population that comes in. Current students, graduates, and community members utilize our range of holistic career services,” Miller said. “We strive to support the greater Schoolcraft College community for their personalized career and economic goals.”

She also coordinates the drop-in career support service which offers current students and recent alumni the opportunity to get assistance with resumes, cover letters, interviewing and LinkedIn tips from student mentors.

The Drop -In Career Support is in the Jeffress Center Room 124. Fall semester hours are Tuesdays-Thursdays from 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Those interested in learning more about how Miller and the Career Mentorship and Placement Office can visit schoolcraft.edu/career-services or visit the office, which is in the Jeffress Center Room 340.

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Initiated through the Career Mentorship and Placement Office, the College2Career Professional Mentorship program returns this fall to provide opportunities for students to acquire firsthand knowledge from industry-experienced staff and faculty leaders.

Just one semester of mentoring has shown Jason Greifenberg how important mentorship is for student success.

The Executive Director of Infrastructure Administration and Business Continuity in the Information Technology department at Schoolcraft College had never participated in a mentorship program but found his experience as a College2Career Professional Mentor incredibly valuable.

“In just a few months of mentoring students here at Schoolcraft College, I’ve already witnessed the value of providing motivation, building confidence, and helping students navigate both college life and their transition into the workforce,” he said.

This past spring marked the inaugural semester of Schoolcraft College’s College2Career Professional Mentorship program, which saw a dozen mentors connect with mentees from various industries such as Information Technology, Supply Chain, Business, and Healthcare. Initiated through the Career Mentorship and Placement Office, the program plans to return this fall to provide opportunities for students to acquire firsthand knowledge from industry-experienced staff and faculty leaders.

After meeting with one of his mentees, Greifenberg made time to meet throughout the semester. A key feature of this program allowed mentors and mentees to set their schedule to their liking: meeting as much or as little as needed.

With his mentee, Greifenberg said he encouraged him to celebrate his accomplishments, no matter how big or small. That included walking at this year’s commencement ceremony.

That conversation was one, Greifenberg said, that stuck with his mentee.

“He kind of paused and said, ‘I’ve never heard that before,’” Greifenberg said. “They had a party at home and his family was there. It was a good time all around. I feel happy for him that my mentorship helped him obtain that moment.”

Having the experience of working with students in the mentorship program, Greifenberg said such a program is important to make Schoolcraft College a better place.

“Mentoring isn’t just about sharing knowledge — it’s about investing in the future of our students,” he said. “When we take time to support and guide them, we’re not only helping them succeed academically and professionally — we’re also strengthening our entire college community.”

The College2Career Professional Mentorship Program pairs students with faculty and staff at Schoolcraft to establish career goals, create action items towards those goals, and gain valuable industry insights.

Mentorship opportunities are available to students for the upcoming Fall semester. For more information, contact the Career Mentorship and Placement office at [email protected].