Job Corps students shadow career professionals
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RONAN — You may have woken up to the news that Punxsutawney Phil predicts a cold, gloomy upcoming few weeks but for students at Kicking Horse Job Corps, the future is bright.
Groundhog Day was also Job Shadowing Day. Twenty-two students from KHJC were able to job shadow in their field of study at several local businesses and facilities - gaining valuable insight from industry professionals as to what their futures may hold. From medical to automotive, heavy equipment operating to culinary, students got an exciting glimpse of what can happen if they remain committed to their futures.
Julia Thomas, a facilities maintenance student from Missoula, said that while shadowing at CSKT maintenance, “The best part of my day was learning more about facility maintenance, like how much they get paid,” and doing actual hands-on work.
For student Leilani Whitehorse, a pharmacy technician student and Chippewa Cree tribal member from Polson, being able to sit down and get advice during an hour-long talk with a pharmacist helped her see a clearer path to becoming a pharmacist. Jeanine Thomas, St. Luke’s Pharmacy department, said Whitehorse asked appropriate questions.
“We enjoyed having her with us,” Thomas said.
Jennifer Morigeau, RN, said that her experience having William Nez, a nursing assistant student from Arizona, was “very enjoyable” as they rotated him through various patient care situations. Nez feels he gained experience and first-hand knowledge of what he’s actually going to be doing after he graduates.
CSKT Health, Forestry and Maintenance departments; St. Luke Community Healthcare, Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, Les Schwab, Lake City Bakery, Polson School District, Mission Healing Arts, Walgreens, Ninepipes Lodge’s Allentown Restaurant and Total Automotive all participated in the job shadowing event.
According to Job Corps, GHJSD is a national initiative to engage America’s students in employment settings, and to engage businesses and organizations in youth development. The initiative encourages students around the country to “job shadow” workplace mentors as they go through a normal day on the job.
KHJC serves American youth aged 16-24 who may be academically or economically disadvantaged, unemployed, and/or lack the necessary skills and knowledge to become gainfully employed. The Job Corps program at Kicking Horse provides Career Technical Training Skills, education, work experience, counseling, health care, and other support services in a residential setting which ensures a safe and secure environment. The primary aim is to help enrollees become responsible adults, to obtain and hold productive jobs, to return to school or further training, or to satisfy Armed Forces’ entrance requirements.
For more information about Kicking Horse, call 406-644- 2217, or attend the Spring Open House on April 26.
