CareerQuestTN: A Year of Success and a Future Full of Opportunity
- mwillison0
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 11 minutes ago
A decade ago, Lottie Ryans discovered MiCareerQuest in West Michigan—an innovative, hands-on experience designed to introduce students to careers in a way that goes far beyond the traditional career fair. Inspired by its impact, she brought that vision home.
In Spring 2017, the first CareerQuestTN launched on the campus of East Tennessee State University, welcoming students in grades 8–12 to explore careers in Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, Healthcare, and Information Technology. Instead of simply hearing about careers, students experienced them—interacting with professionals and professors, trying out skills, and seeing firsthand what their futures could look like.
The response was immediate and overwhelming: students were engaged, educators were energized, and industry partners saw the value of building connections early.
“CareerQuestTN has always been about more than exposing students to careers—it’s about helping them see what’s possible for their future,” said Lottie Ryans. “When students can step into these environments, meet professionals, and experience these industries firsthand, it builds confidence and opens doors they may not have known existed. Seeing the growth and success of these events year after year has been incredibly rewarding and it’s helping us keep young people in the region.”
That momentum sparked expansion and at the First Tennessee Development District, one thing is clear: success isn’t a stopping point—it’s a starting line. When opportunities emerge to better serve students and regional industries, the team leans in.
In 2018, CareerQuestTN introduced “CareerQuestTN It’s All About Business,” opening doors to careers in Accounting, Banking, Finance, Human Resources, and Marketing. With added features like practice interviews and professional image coaching, students didn’t just explore careers—they began preparing for them. Through the generosity of Smarty Pants and Northwestern Mutual, students have an opportunity to win cash prizes in the annual Business Battle Competition where students pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges.
Recognizing tourism as one of Tennessee’s fastest-growing economic drivers, CareerQuestTN expanded again in Fall 2022 with “CareerQuestTN Hospitality Works.” This experience spotlighted careers in event planning and regional promotion, food and beverage and accommodations, and outdoor recreation—industries that are vital to the region yet often overlooked by students considering their future paths. And the innovation didn’t stop there.
In February 2023, CareerQuestTN took things to the next level with the inaugural CareerQuest TN Culinary Challenge, hosted at the iconic Bristol Motor Speedway. High school culinary teams faced off in a fast-paced, high-energy competition that tested their technical skills, creativity, and teamwork—bringing classroom learning into a real-world, high-stakes environment.
Each CareerQuestTN event is intentionally designed to inspire. By hosting experiences at ETSU, Northeast State Community College, MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center, and Levy Kitchens at BMS, students are encouraged to see beyond the walls of their classrooms and imagine themselves in these spaces.
The impact is clear: students leave CareerQuestTN with a deeper understanding of high-demand careers, direct connections to industry professionals, and a clearer path forward. At the same time, employers gain the opportunity to engage with their future workforce, and educators strengthen the bridge between classroom learning and real-world application.
The 2025–2026 school year marked another chapter of success, filled with impactful events, strong partnerships, and meaningful student engagement across the region. With that momentum behind us, we’re already looking ahead excited to continue growing CareerQuestTN in the year to come.
CareerQuestTN isn’t just an event, it’s an investment in the future of Northeast Tennessee. By connecting students to opportunity, industries to talent, and education to workforce needs, it continues to shape what’s possible for the next generation.
These events thrive because of the strong partnerships between education, industry, and the community and there’s a place for you in that success.
Employers & Industry Partners: Showcase your field, connect with future talent, and help shape the workforce pipeline.
Educators & Schools: Bring your students to experience careers in a way that’s engaging, relevant, and impactful.
Community Partners & Volunteers: Play a role in delivering experiences that inspire and guide the next generation.
Whether you’re looking to participate, partner, or support, CareerQuestTN offers meaningful ways to make a difference. Join us as we continue building brighter futures- one student, one experience, and one opportunity at a time.
For more information on how to get involved, contact Lottie Ryans (lryans@ftdd.org)
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