Education Unpacked

E10: Service with Heart - How Block Imaging Builds Careers from High School to Healthcare

This extended-length episode goes deeper than usual to explore Block Imaging’s mission of “people matter” and its partnership with Wilson Talent Center to create work-based learning and apprenticeship programs for high school students. Listeners will hear how hands-on opportunities, mentoring, and career-readiness training help young people launch technical careers, stay in the community, and contribute to medical imaging that supports patient care—making the extra time well worth it given how rich the content is.

E09: Meet Aidan Daenzer - Wilson Talent Center Alumni

From Classroom to Career: How Wilson Talent Center Jumpstarted a Future at MSU On this episode of the Education Unpacked Podcast, host Micki O'Neil talks with Aiden Daenzer about his experience in the Wilson Talent Center’s Business and Risk Management program. Aidan shares how job shadows, internships, industry connections, and hands-on training helped him prepare for college and career exploration. They discuss the value of networking, earning industry credentials, creating a personal mission, and using technical education to find direction and confidence for future opportunities.

E08: Work-Based Learning - Employers

In this episode, Micki O'Neil speaks with Monique Colizzi and Jamie George of Wilson Talent Center about the work-based learning umbrella—how job shadows, internships, and career training equip juniors and seniors with both technical certifications and the soft skills employers demand. They share examples of local employer partnerships, student success stories, and how experiences can lead to paid jobs or apprenticeships after graduation.

E07_Work-Based Learning - Students

Episode 7: How Work-Based Learning Preps Students for Real Careers (Wilson Talent Center) On the Education UnPacked Podcast, host Micki O’Neil talks with Monique Colizzie and Jamie George, Work-Based Learning Coordinators at Ingham ISD’s Wilson Talent Center, about how juniors and seniors gain real-world experience before graduation. They break down the four work-based learning tiers—career awareness, exploration, preparation, and training—from career fairs, field trips, interviews, and job shadows to resume/cover-letter coaching, mock interviews/job fairs, and paid or unpaid workplace placements. Hear how the twice-monthly “Boss Mode Boot Camp” builds soft skills (first impressions, initiative, dependability, interviewing, professionalism, leadership), why 22+ industry partners are engaged, and how 20 students are already working this year (with most placements for second-year seniors). Discover what employers want (problem-solving, teamwork, reliability), how students present as “job-ready,” and how Wilson Talent Center is building a local talent pipeline that connects businesses with skilled, motivated teens. 🎧 Listen at BackPackPress.org/UnPacked to learn how schools and employers partner to launch students’ careers.

E06: From Classrooms to Careers: Inside Project SEARCH at MSU

Episode 6 | Life After High School: Transition Programs That Build Independence In this episode, host Micki O’Neil talks with Michel McDonald, Director of Transition Programming at Ingham ISD, about post-high school services designed for students ages 18–26. They discuss Project SEARCH—a one-year internship program created in partnership with Michigan State University and Michigan Rehabilitation Services—and SAIL (Skills for Adult Independent Living), which offers hands-on work experience, life skills development, and community-based training. Listeners will learn about strong employment outcomes for graduates, individualized supports, transportation and community access, and how families can connect with Ingham ISD to explore these transition opportunities and next steps toward independent living. Listen now at BackPackPress.org/UnPacked [https://backpackpress.org/unpacked]