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MARQUETTE -- U.P. high school students are getting a dose of the real world, thanks to a career pathway day sponsored by Northern Michigan University and MARESA.

Professionals from a variety of career fields including arts and communication, business, engineering, health sciences, human resources, and environmental studies shared their knowledge with the students. 

"I think career exploration and preparation is K-12, and it's lifelong. And students just need to understand and make the connection between education, what they're doing, what they're doing in school, and what they're going to be doing for the rest of their lives," said Sandy Meyskens from MARESA.

Students grouped off into "pathways," where experts gave their advice on everything from which classes to take in high school, to applying for their first job.

Teachers told their students to pick an area that they have an interest in, something that they could possibly see as a future career.

As for the presenters, they took this as a chance to give the students a preview of the profession in their field of choice.

"It's getting them pointed in the right direction of what they can expect when they get there. And it makes them sure this is a career that they really want. There's no sense in studying and doing all that effort if you find out that's not what it's like on television," said Presenter Dave Kent.

Students were able to pick two pathways to attend.