Connecting youth with opportunities to grow
05-15-2025
05-15-2025
On April 29, Hennepin County welcomed more than 100 high school students and educators to learn about the wide variety of careers at Hennepin County at the first ever Hennepin GO (Growth and Opportunity) Expo. Managed through Workforce Development, Hennepin GO serves as the county’s primary programmatic strategy to provide residents internships and employment pathways, which play a crucial role in reducing disparities in employment, education and income.
In partnership with Hennepin West Consortium, GPS Education Partners, and the Hennepin-Carver Workforce Development Board, the county invited youth from Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at ten area high schools to attend the GO Expo, with the goal of giving students the opportunity to connect directly with county staff to ask questions and learn about their career paths.
The program began with a welcome from Workforce Development Manager Sarah Lofquist Garbis, Workplace Inclusion Manager Shawn Sorrell, and Workplace Inclusion Specialist Gabriel Alejandro Moreno.
Students also heard from County Administrator David Hough, who shared his experience of working with the county for more than 40 years in various roles, and Board Chair Irene Fernando, who encouraged students to pursue their passions.
After a lively round of county trivia led by Sorrell, students rotated between 12 career exploration stations showcasing work from the following areas:
Each station offered something unique and interactive. Some staff showcased equipment and tools they use on the job – at the Elections table, students got to use the ballot machine to practice voting, while at the Service Center table, students could check their vision as they would before getting their driver’s license. Several offered trivia or games like jeopardy related to their field to keep students engaged, with plenty of time to ask questions along the way.
Students walked away with new ideas about their future careers and opportunities in the county. One student from Brooklyn Center Community School talked about being open to a youth apprenticeship in the future thanks to the event. Another from Eden Prairie High School shared “I was surprised at the overall diversity within careers,” and has a newfound interest for the Medical Examiner’s Office.
Educators also shared feedback that they appreciated the opportunity to engage with the county in this way. One educator said their favorite thing about the event was that “the energy was so positive when interacting with all the staff and volunteers which created a very welcoming and exciting environment for the youth and educators.”
Workforce Development aims to provide similar events in the future as part of its ongoing strategy to engage youth in career exploration and internship opportunities as part of the Hennepin GO program. Learn more about Workforce Development.