by Jennifer Johnson Published/Last Modified on Thursday, February 12, 2009 3:45 PM CST
In the spring, ninth-grade students at Campbell-Tintah School will get a glimpse of life beyond the classroom. As part of their annual curriculum, students job shadow various employees at area businesses to sample future careers.
Richard Osman, career instructor, said it gives them a chance to find out something they don't always know. Last year, he had one student who was less than excited about heading to KBMW.
"But by the time she had gotten out, she had everyone listening to the radio station," he said. "Once they seen how it is, it really works out good." Advertisement
Students tour everywhere from Primewood to the sheriff's office and later exchange their experiences in class.
"We'll sit down and analyze what was interesting, what was surprising and different," he said. "I'm going to show them how to be the winner when they walk into an interview."
Osman's vocational license also gives his students a chance to use an Internet career site through the state of Minnesota. The program provides a surplus of information on careers, the labor market, scholarships and even financial aid.
"I teach them how to use it, then it's available to them throughout their high school career," he said. "In ninth-grade, there's not a whole lot of excitement about going to work yet. But come junior, senior year, things are changing."
Students are also picking up financial tips in class, as Osman wants them to get an early start.
"We don't want them beyond the credit card thing," he said. "Right now, they're doing some research on what to do financially for buying a car, getting an apartment and setting up a household, basic things in life. That way, when they find out what their taste buds are like, they can find out what kind of jobs it's going to take."
Osman's approach to the student experience is based off his own. When he was young, he learned every financially wise idea from his parents and grandparents.
"You always save in the good years, you never spend when the tough times come,'" he said, recalling what he was told. "I learned how to do that, and it's kind of fun right now, because I'm taking advantage." JENNIFER JOHNSON can be reached at jenj@wahpetondailynews.com.
