Charlie Bristow Oak Marsh Golf Course

Charlie employee at Oak Marsh

What I learned from working at Oak Marsh Golf Course is several things that are detailed information that I would like to share with you.  The most important thing that I learned when working at a golf course like Oak Marsh is to always use common sense. The job position that I hold is a Cart Staff position.  It is very simple you do your work as a Cart Staff position otherwise, tournaments and events can go very poorly and we want people to have an enjoyable time golfing. What the company goals are at Oak Marsh Golf Course is to provide a Memorable Experience that Exceeds Common Expectations.
The common policies for working at Oak Marsh Golf Course are to organize work related golf equipment. I have learned to always back up all golf carts in the correct number slots. I always clock in and get a radio to stay in communication with the golf shop. My job is to handle any issues that come up and some days it is a lot.  Lastly, the Oak Marsh Golf Course work experience can better prepare me for working at a golf course and working my way up to pro shop position at Oak Marsh Golf Course.

Sara Voss Modernistic & Valley Outreach

Modernistic Display 

The Stillwater Transition Program has helped me experience what it’s like to have a job before needing to be fully committed to one. I was allowed to work for a few weeks at the company Modernistic, which is a printing and design company. I and a few other students helped with processing some winter decorations for Starbucks and Kohl’s. I liked that experience because, it was the first job I’ve ever had and I got to see that it’s not so scary having a job. I feel, I am ready to work. I also like the fact that I got paid for this job experience. To learn more about Modernistic click on the following link http://www.modprint.com/

Currently, I am volunteering at Valley Outreach, which was also set up for me through the Transition Program. Valley Outreach donates clothes and food to people who need it, and I help with the clothing that gets donated. All of the retail job skills I am gaining is very satisfying because, I plan on working in retail to help pay for college. The Transition Program is giving me the practical skills I need for my future, and I am grateful for the opportunity.

To learn more about Valley Outreach click on the following link http://www.valleyoutreachmn.org/

Casey's Future Career Path

Karen, Casey & Michelle

Hi everyone, my name is Casey Engebretson and am in the 18-21 Stillwater Transition Program. I have been apart of the program for three years. Last year I took the Education and Human Service class at Northeast Metro 916 because, I want to become a Special Education Paraprofessional. By taking the class at 916, I feel like I have gained and learned a lot of new skills. I can apply these new skills to my future career, which is working as a Special Education Paraprofessional.

I am now working at a daycare in the morning called Warm World as an intern. At Warm World I work with kids ages 2-5 years old. I like the teachers that I work with because they tell me about their own experiences. They give me advice on what to do and what not to do in different situations. Whether it is a situation involving the parents or whether it is a situation involving another child. I like that the teachers give me advice because, it is another person’s point of view, on how they deal with the same sort of situation. By working at Warm World, I figured out that I like working with little children.

When I started the Education and Human Service class at 916, I applied for a job as a Teacher’s Aid with Adventure Club. When I found out I got the job I was so excited because, it was a job in the career field that I wanted. By working at Adventure Club I figured out that I liked working with children in elementary school rather than children in middle school or high school. Working at Adventure Club is a whole new experience for me compared to working at Warm World.  

I have learned so much in the Transition Program it has helped me greatly.  It has helped me explore possible jobs and prepared me for my career choice. Recently, I completed a Paraprofessional job shadow at Oak Park Elementary. I job shadowed three Paraprofessionals, Michelle Krangness, Karen Barnett-Hughes, and Kelsie Henderson. While I job shadowed all three of them I realized that there are different types of Paraprofessionals. Michelle and Karen work with children with learning disabilities, while Kelsie works with children that have autism. I decided from this experience that I would rather work with children with  learning disabilities.

I am graduating from Transitions Program in June and my plans are to go to Century College to complete the Paraprofessional degree. I am very thankful I had the opportunity to be in the Transitions Program for help me decide my future.     

Animal Science Class

Hi my name is Allison Kazmierczak. I am in my second year at Northeast Metro 916 Animal Science class. The class is all about learning different parts of all the animals and what types of food they eat, grooming tools and products that are used as well as how to take care of them.  Everyone gets assigned by the student manager which animal they have to take care of for the week.
Each person that assigned an animal has to know what kind of food the animal gets, what day their cage needs to cleaned, and how to do the job correctly. Once the person gets the job done, the manager checks and makes sure that the animal has been taken care of properly. This class has taught me a lot things by learning something new each day. It is a fun course because you get to take care of different animals of all shapes and sizes, from exotic birds and reptiles, to small and large animals. The reason why this class is fun to me is because I love working with animals and being able to take care of them in order to meet their needs.  Yes this course is challenging at times but it’s worth it. My favorite animal in the class has to be a cat named Calvin because I have been around cats all of my life and I know what to expect to meet his needs. He makes my day a lot better when I see him.

Gus & Calvin at 916 class

To learn more about the Animal Science class click on the following link and watch the video
http://www.nemetro.k12.mn.us/domain/62

Great Harvest Bread Company Job Shadow Experience

CeCe Raleigh 

Hi my name is Cecilia Raleigh.  I completed a job shadow at Great Harvest Bread Company an it was awesome!  I started the job shadow on November 16th at 4:30 am and I shadowed with Kurt Kinneman. I see this being my job in the future for a few reasons. First, is that making something different every day so it won’t same boring thing. Second, despite it being early in the morning it’s no problem cause I’m a early bird in my family. Also I won’t worry too much about traffic because no one is out during that time. Third, the bread, scone, scruffin, and sweets is FREE while working there. Finally, I asked Bob the manager at Great Harvest Bread Company how much do the workers get paid and he said it starts at $12 and goes up to $15 an hour. These are my reasons why I see myself working at this job in the future.

To learn more about Great Harvest Bread Company please click on the following link: http://greatharveststillwater.com/

Special Products LLC Pop Up Shop

Please stop by Special Products LLC for the 2nd Annual Holiday Pop- Up Shop located at :
5600 Memorial Ave N #1 Stillwater, MN 55082

Special Products LLC is a social enterprise founded in 2012 to provide practical opportunities for young adults with disabilities to gain practical job skills and real life work experience in a workplace. Founders of the company Mark & Holly Arps


December 3rd & 4th 10am-3pm
December 10th &11th 10am-3pm

Construction Occupations Course at Northeast Metro 916

My name is Stephen Thomson I am taking the Construction Occupations course taught by Tom Spehn at Northeast Metro  916.  In the course we are building a house from the ground up.  The class focuses on residential construction and allows students to occasionally work with people in some of the various trades.  The class has been a great help in understanding the use of tools and has shown me many helpful skills that will be needed in Construction career areas of interest.  It will be a major help to me in getting a job in Construction.  The training I am getting from this course will be a major help with any Construction courses or jobs I decide to do. If you want to learn more about what is done visit the link and watch the video http://www.nemetro.k12.mn.us/site/Default.aspx?PageID=277

Craft Work Stations

Today in Social Skills class with instructor Carolyn Sorenson the Transition students completed crafting work stations.  The opportunity to be creative and show off students artistic skills were on display as well. The main goal of this activity is to focus on SCAN Skills of listening and following directions assessment.

The Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) was appointed by the Secretary of Labor to determine the skills our young people need to succeed in the world of work. The primary objective is to help teachers understand how curriculum and instruction must change to enable students to develop those performance skills needed to succeed in the workplace. To learn more about SCAN SKILLS please click on the following link http://www.sjsu.edu/faculty/chang/sped/scanskills.html

State Officer Lizzy Backlund

I have been part of SkillsUSA for a year and a half now. This year I ran for State Office. I was prepared for my speech and my poster to show my slogan. My campaign slogan was Busy Lizzy, Vote Lizzy B.  I competed against other students in the state to become the State Officer at the Mankato conference. The role of a State Officer is that we help the State Board and State Directors of SkillsUSA. As a State Officer you will go around to different schools to talk about the organization and how it is run by students. Therefore, you also speak in front of around 100 to a 1000 people. Another thing that a state officer does is to set up and help the events at State competitions. State Officers have to go to training once a month.  I am really looking forward to this new opportunity to share with others students how amazing being a part of the SkillsUSA organization. 

Stillwater Chapter of SkillsUSA
Lizzy Backlund (front)