Job Corps students gain workplace experience
William Nez, KHJC Nursing Assistant student, learns about patient intake from CSKT Health employees Jennifer Morigeau, RN, and Alicia Howell, receptionist. (Photos courtesy of Kicking Horse Job Corps)
Tylesha Johnson, KHJC Culinary Arts student, receives hands-on learning from Mike Humphrey at Lake City Bakery.
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 is also Ground Hog Job Shadowing Day. Twenty- two students from KHJC were able to job shadow in their field of study at several different local businesses and facilities. Industry professionals were able to give insight of what their future holds for them. 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 shadowing at CSKT Maintenance gave her an idea of what it’s like to work in the profession.
“The best part of my day was learning more about facility maintenance, like how much they get paid,” she said.
Leilani Whitehorse, a pharmacy technician student and Chippewa Cree tribal member from Polson, said “getting to sit down with the pharmacist and have an hour long talk and get advice from him,” 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.”`
Registered Nurse Jennifer Morigeau, 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.
The Ground Hog Job Shadowing Day 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 shadow workplace mentors as they go through a normal day on the job. Since 1996, the National Job Shadow Coalition has encouraged young people across the country to explore their futures through career awareness and mentoring opportunities.
Kicking Horse Job Corps serves American youth aged 16 through 24 who may be academically or economically disadvantaged, unemployed 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 the enrollees to become responsible adults, obtain and hold productive jobs, return to school or further training or satisfy Armed Forces’ entrance requirements.
For more information about Kicking Horse, call 406-644-2217, or attend the Spring Open House on April 26.