South Dakota e-Labor Bulletin

April 2021

Week of Work Encourages Youth to Explore Career Opportunities

Right Here in South Dakota

South Dakota middle and high school students have been “trying careers on for size” during the state’s first Week of Work April 19-23.

Students could participate virtually in live panel discussions with South Dakota business and industry professionals. Students chose from a variety of panels offered twice each day. Almost 100 panelists from 27 communities represented career fields in agriculture, business, public service, private sector service, science and healthcare, and manufacturing and construction, for a total of 36 panel discussions. The infographic below illustrates the Week of Work’s huge reach.

One of the goals for the Week of Work is to expose young South Dakotans to the many great career opportunities available to them right here in our own state. Not only did planned activities provide a unique career exploration opportunity for youth but will hopefully encourage those future workers to remain in South Dakota when they begin their careers. Many South Dakota employers were onboard with the Week of Work, realizing its potential to help address workforce shortages.

“I’m so grateful for the overwhelming response from all the business and industry representatives who have stepped up to connect with students in this way,” said Labor and Regulation Secretary Marcia Hultman. “As a leader of workforce development efforts, I continually see examples and hear stories underlining the importance of making informed career decisions. That’s exactly what this week is about.”

Throughout the week’s activities, careers featured will include many high demand and high wage occupations, designated by the Labor Market Information Center as South Dakota’s Hot Careers and Top 30 Careers. More information on Hot Careers, including many resources available to help students further explore opportunities, can be found on the LMIC website.

At the end of the week, a live wrap-up session with information about soft skills, job shadow experiences and internships will help students take the next steps in their career paths. Panel discussions will be recorded and made available for later viewing. Businesses also submitted videos spotlighting various careers within their respective organizations. The videos will remain available as a helpful career exploration resource after the Week of Work concludes.

The South Dakota Week of Work is sponsored by the South Dakota departments of Labor and Regulation and Education in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, the South Dakota Retailers Association, and the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

More information on the Week or Work, including a schedule and related resources, can be found on the South Dakota Week of Work website.

South Dakota Week of Work infographic showing reach