Minot Career Expo Draws 1,600 High School Students

The annual event at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds connected students from 30 schools with college, technical and trade options.

Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Job Fairs

Minot Career Expo Draws 1,600 High School Students

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The Minot Area Career Expo gave more than 1,600 high school students from 30 schools a chance to explore career paths at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds on Tuesday morning, November 10, 2026. Roughly 40 exhibitors showcased opportunities in college, technical schools and the trades.

Why it matters

Organizers started the expo to give Minot-area students access to the kind of career events typically held in larger cities across North Dakota. This year's turnout makes it the largest the event has drawn in its roughly seven years of running.

Attendance reached more than 1,600 students from 30 schools, with roughly 40 exhibitors on site, making this year the event's largest so far. The figures do not include prior-year totals for direct comparison.

The players

Minot State University

A public university in Minot, North Dakota, that is part of the North Dakota University System and offers programs across nine academic departments.

Trinity Health

A Catholic health system operating hospitals and emergency medical services across the upper Midwest, including in Minot.

The details

Roughly 40 exhibitors set up booths covering college, technical school and trade opportunities. Students toured a Trinity Health ambulance, examined medical equipment and tried on firefighting gear, while Minot State sent representatives from all nine of its departments along with other campus programs.

Timeline

  1. Tuesday morning, November 10, 2026: Career expo held at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds.

  2. Roughly seven years: The expo has been held annually during this period.

Market Landscape

The Minot expo follows the pattern of large-city career events in North Dakota, extending similar access to students in a smaller regional market. It positions regional colleges and trade schools to compete for local students against larger institutions.

Students who attend these expos can compare college, technical school and trade paths before committing to a post-graduation plan. Families in Minot gain a local option for exploring careers without traveling to larger cities.

The takeaway

Early exposure to college, technical and trade options can help students make more informed decisions about their futures. Attending a career expo before senior year gives students time to ask questions and explore paths that fit their interests.

Further reading

Explore more job fairs happening across the region to see how similar events connect students with local employers.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Kfyrtv.

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Do you think local high schools are preparing students well for their future careers?