The 2025 Southwest Minnesota Career Expo gave high school students a firsthand look at the wide range of career and education options available throughout the region. Held September 23 and 24, the event took place at Minnesota West Community & Technical College in Worthington and at the Red Baron Arena in Marshall.

More than 100 employers and postsecondary programs participated this year, each sharing valuable information about career paths, training opportunities, and the many ways students can build their futures close to home. The Expo also celebrated the strength of local industries and the variety of jobs that support thriving communities across Southwest Minnesota.

Over the course of two days, more than 1,700 students from 35 schools attended the event. It took over 350 dedicated volunteers to make this large-scale experience possible, representing a wide network of partners and organizations, including:

• Minnesota West Carl Perkins Consortium
• Southwest Initiative Foundation
• Southwest Minnesota Workforce Development Board
• Minnesota West Community and Technical College
• Southwest Minnesota State University
• Southwest Minnesota Private Industry Council
• Southwest Regional Development Commission
• SWWC Service Cooperative
• Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce
• Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce
• CareerForce offices in Marshall, Montevideo, and Worthington
• Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
• Many regional businesses and service agencies

Teachers, exhibitors, and students shared positive feedback, noting how valuable it was for students to learn about the wide range of career options available in their own backyard. The event encouraged students to begin thinking more deeply about their future goals and the next steps in their education and career planning.

The 2025 Career Expo served as another strong reminder of the opportunities that exist right here in Southwest Minnesota and the importance of connecting young people with the employers and educators who can help them take the next step.

See photos from the events: Career Expo 2025