Career Discovery Events

Discover Healthcare Day – Polk County Healthcare Workforce Collaborative

Date: Tuesday, February 4, 2025

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Description: This event is for 9-12th grade students interested in exploring future educational and career opportunities in health care. There are many different types of careers in the healthcare industry, both patient and non-patient facing that make up an organization. From the nurse who helps care for patients, to the imaging staff, to the paramedics and EMTs who take care of patients pre-hospital and through transfers. You will explore different opportunities in healthcare from a clinical side through conversations and activities with over 12 different departments through Broadlawns, MercyOne, UnityPoint healthcare professionals. In addition, you’ll learn about educational opportunities in these fields from DMACC, Des Moines University, Grand View, and Mercy College.

*Educators: Due to capacity constraints, if you are registering more than 15 students, please contact lynn@polkcountyhealthcare.org to check availability.

Location: Grand View University - Henning Student Center
2811 East 14th St
Des Moines, IA 50316

Register

Healthcare Career Day at Mary Greeley Medical Center (Ames)

Date: Friday, April 11, 2025

Time: 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Description: Come join us and experience hands on activities and tours with different departments at Mary Greeley in Ames! There are many different types of careers in the healthcare industry, both patient and non-patient facing that make up an organization. During this event, you will hear from employees about Mary Greeley, what they have to offer, and job opportunities for high school students. This event is designed for 10-12 grade students interested in healthcare careers.

Please note:

• Mary Greeley requires a “Participation and Media Release Form” to be signed by both the student and guardian. Once registered, the form will be sent to the email provided on the registration form. Please sign and email it back to jmwebb8@dmacc.edu or, bring the signed form with you at check-in on April 11.
• Closed-toe shoes are recommended.
• Lunch will be provided!

Location:

Mary Greeley Medical Center
1111 Duff Ave
Ames, IA 50010

Max Capacity: 30 Students. **Due to capacity constraints, if you are registering more than 5 students, please email jmwebb8@dmacc.edu to confirm availability.

Registration Link: Registration for this event will open January 2025.

 

Women in Construction Day (National Association of Women in Construction)

Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025

Time: 9:15 AM - 2:00 PM

Description: Are you ready to dive into the world of construction? Join the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) for an exciting day that offers an insider's look at the construction industry!

The day will include:

• Jobsite Tour: Experience a live construction site and see professionals in action.
• Panel Discussion: Hear from industry leaders about how they got there and what their days look like.
• Construction Activity: Get hands-on with a fun and engaging construction activity.

Please note:

• This event will require a participation waiver that will need signed by both the student and guardian.
• *Participants are REQUIRED to wear closed-toed shoes and pants.
• Lunch will be provided.

Location: TBD

Max Capacity: **Due to capacity constraints, if you are registering more than 10 students, please email rgillisarnold@dmacc.edu to confirm availability.

Registration: Registration for this event will open January 2025.

Explore Video Production & Digital Marketing at TH MEDiA

Date: Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Description: Explore the world of video production & digital marketing at TH MEDiA! Founded in 2020 by elementary school friends, TH MEDIA specializes in storytelling for local business that connects their brand to their community through content production, social media management, branding, graphic design, and web design services. During your time at our studio, you’ll learn about the journey of starting & building a business, get hands-on with video production equipment and social media strategy for actual clients, and experience what it feels like to work at a small business and smaller-sized marketing firm. Lunch will be provided.

Location: 4308 University Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50311

Max Capacity: 50 Students. **Due to capacity constraints, if you are interested in registering more than 7 students, please email rgillisarnold@dmacc.edu to confirm availability.

Registration Link: Registration for this event will open January 2025.

Explore Healthcare Careers at Broadlawns Medical Center– Polk County Healthcare Workforce Collaborative

Date: Tuesday, February 25, 2025

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Description: This Career Exploration Day for area youth is part of the Broadlawns Medical Center mission to build a healthy community in which there is accessible, cost-effective, and high-quality patient care for all. Increasing the number of youth moving into health care professions is vital to a health community!

You will have an opportunity to tour and job shadow in select areas to learn more about our daily commitment to quality patient care.

*Educators: Due to capacity constraints, if you are registering more than 5 students, please contact lynn@polkcountyhealthcare.org to check availability.

**Parking is limited at the facility. Please carpool when possible. A shuttle service is available for offsite parking.

Location: Broadlawns Medical Center
1801 Hickman Rd
Des Moines, IA 50314

Registration: Registration will open December 2024!

Explore the Justice System at the Polk County Courthouse

Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Time: 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Description: Visit the Polk County Courthouse and observe a trial in session. Students will also hear from professionals in a variety of legal fields including: District Court Judge, Judicial Specialists – Court Room Support, Court Specialists – Case Coordinators, Law Clerks and the Supervisor and Clerk from the Polk County Clerk’s Office. This is a great day for any students interested in Court Reporting, Paralegal, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement or Pre-law/Law School.

Location:

Polk County Criminal Courts Building

110 6th Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309

Max Capacity: 25 Students. **Due to capacity constraints, if you are interested in registering more than 5 students, please email ehwillett@dmacc.edu to confirm availability.

Registration Link: Registration for this event will open January 2025.

Explore Healthcare Careers at UnityPoint Health – Polk County Healthcare Workforce Collaborative

Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Time: 8:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (approximate. Exact times TBD)

Description: Interested in health care? There are many different types of careers in the health care industry, both patient and non-patient facing that make up an organization. From the lab and imaging staff to surgical services, to respiratory therapists. During this event you’ll learn more about these careers, and many others, to find the right fit for you! This event is designed for high school students interested in health care careers.

Please note:

• Due to capacity constraints, registration is open to students only. Guests of students and educators may attend with students; however, they will not tour with the students. A space will be provided to wait while the event occurs if you are attending with a student.
• Lunch is provided.
• Please wear business casual clothing
• Closed-toe shoes are required

Parking is limited at the facility. Please carpool when possible.

*Educators: Due to capacity constraints, if you are registering more than 5 students, please contact lynn@polkcountyhealthcare.org to check availability.

Location: Iowa Methodist Medical Center – Education & Research Center
1415 Woodland Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309

Registration Link: Registration will open January 2025!

Explore Criminal Justice Careers at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office

Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025

Time: 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Description: The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is opening their doors to highlight a variety of careers in criminal justice. During this event, students will explore careers in detective work, dispatch and patrol, and learn more about what it takes to preserve the integrity of the law, while protecting and serving the public. As part of the day, students will see behind the scenes where an emergency call comes in, the dispatching of the patrol unit, to the steps involved in detective work used to solve a crime! Lunch will be provided.

Location:

Polk County Sheriff’s Office

5995 NE 14^th St.

Des Moines, IA 50313

Max Capacity: 60 Students. **Due to capacity constraints, if you are interested in registering more than 8 students, please email ehwillett@dmacc.edu to confirm availability.

Explore Education, Communication, & the Humanities at Community Support Advocates

Date: Thursday, April 3, 2025

Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Description: Get to know Iowa’s trusted leader in serving individuals impacted by mental health conditions and other disabilities. Community Support Advocates is a local nonprofit that serves families, by providing comprehensive services and coordinated care that support day to day living, community integration, and creative expression. Students will hear from professionals in a variety of fields including: Social Workers, Youth Service Coordinators, Direct Service Providers, Nurses, Art Therapists, and Referral Coordinators.

You will have an opportunity to see art therapy in action through hands-on learning.

Location:

Community Support Advocates
1516 Valley West Drive
West Des Moines, IA 5026

Max Capacity: 15 Students. **Due to capacity constraints, if you are registering more than 2 students, please email rgillisarnold@dmacc.edu to confirm availability.

Explore Technology, Commercial Real Estate, Accounting and Finance at Principal

Date: Friday, April 4, 2025

Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Description: Principal, a Fortune 500 company is positioned at the intersection of financial services and technology. Their global tech community embraces the latest technology, tools, and processes that enable their mission of helping their customers lead successful, more secure financial lives by investing in what matters to them. During this visit, students will have a chance to explore their preferred career focus area, while learning more about Principal. Career areas include:

• Software Engineering: In this session, you will manage problem solving in software engineering to modify a Python program.
• Commercial Real Estate: In the role of an investor, you will evaluate investment strategy and troubleshoot obstacles that occur when owning an asset in your real estate portfolio.
• Accounting & Finance: Learn more about Accounting and Finance positions and functions at Principal through interactive examples.

Note: There are limited seats per career focus. Each visitor should bring a picture ID to get through security during check-in.

Location:

Principal Financial
711 High St.
Des Moines, IA 50392

Max Capacity: 75 Students. **Due to capacity constraints, if you are interested in registering more than 8 students, please email rgillisarnold@dmacc.edu confirm availability.

Registration Link: Registration for this even will open January 2025.

Explore Construction & Interior Design at Happe Homes

Date: Thursday, April 10, 2025

Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Description: Join us at Happe Homes in Ankeny, a custom home building company, as we go through the home building process! During the day, we’ll learn more about this local company, and then students will divide up based on their career interest area to explore careers in: General Contracting & Construction and Real Estate, New Build and Interior Design. Step-by-step from the pre-construction phase to the construction phase and completion, students will learn the role each position plays to build a house from the ground up, while customizing each customer’s selections. Students will pre-select their career focus area during registration. Students will need to provide transportation to the event, and between construction sites for this tour.

Location:

Happe Homes

2575 N. Ankeny Blvd.

Ankeny, IA 50023

Max Capacity: 20 Students. **Due to capacity constraints, if you are interested in registering more than 3 students, please email ehwillett@dmacc.edu to confirm availability.

Registration Link: Registration for this event will open January 2025.

Explore Merchandising, Supply Chain Management, Business and Fuel Operations at Casey’s Corporate

Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Time: 9:00 AM - 12:15 PM

Description: Ready to kickstart your career? Join us at Casey’s Corporate for an exciting event where students will explore careers in merchandising, supply chain management, business and fuel ops! Meet industry experts and discover how these roles keep the wheels of one of the fastest-growing convenience store chains turning! Don’t miss this chance to fuel your future! *Lunch will be provided.

Location:

Casey’s Store Support Center

1 SE Convenience Blvd.

Ankeny, IA 50021

Max Capacity: 40 Students. **Due to capacity constraints, if you are registering more than 5 students, please email jmwebb8@dmacc.edu to confirm availability.

Registration Link: Registration for this event will open January 2025.