5 Ways Students Can Earn Money Without Flipping Burgers By Richard Byrne

One of the talks that I give from time to time is titled Preparing Students to Work and Learn Independently. The focus of the talk is to help people understand the learning and employment opportunities that exist today that didn't exist 10-15 years ago. One part of the talk includes examples of the kinds of self-employment opportunities that are available to students today that didn't exist 10-15 years ago. Here are five of those opportunities.

1. Tee-shirt design and sales. There are plenty of online services that let students design and sell tee-shirts without any start-up costs. SunFrog is a service that I have personally used for that purpose.

2. Drone piloting. Students who have drones might offer their skills for sale to real estate agents. I know one realtor in my area who has hired students to fly drones to photograph the properties they are listing for sale.

3. YouTube publishing. YouTube allows you to monetize your videos through the use of their ad network, AdSense. Students could publish tutorial videos for their favorite games, demonstrate DIY projects, or publish videos about any other topic that strikes their fancy. It takes a lot of video views to make significant money this way, but it's  not unrealistic for a teenager to make $50-100/month.

4. Design and sell 3D printed objects. I've seen students create cell phone cases and speakers with 3D printers. A simple e-junkie or eBay store is a fine platform for resale of those items.

5. Virtual tech help. This has been an in-person option for years, but free tools like Skype, Zoom, and Google+ Hangouts make it possible for students to offer tech help remotely.

Disclaimer: Most online stores and advertising programs require people to be 18 or older. Therefore, students will need to have their parents register and let their teens manage the materials sold. Depending upon how much students earn, there may be tax implications to consider. 

Transit Link Community Transportation Simulation

Today the young adults at Transitions West Campus took the Transit Link bus to an form Oakdale Hy-Vee in a real life transportation simulation.  Students learned how to enroll online for Transit Link transportation services.  They each called individually to schedule the appointment pick up time and location supervised by Carolyn Sorenson teacher.  Below are pictures of the students as they are excited to practice riding Transit Link for the first time.  Students are taking yet another step toward independent living for this group of young adults.

Students preparing to pay for the $2.25 bus fee

Transit Link

Excitement prevails at take off

Transit Link (formerly Dial-A-Ride) is a curb-to-curb minibus or van service for the general public that operates on weekdays throughout the seven-county metropolitan area. It is a shared-ride service, which must be reserved in advance. You may reserve a ride up to five days in advance, or call at least two hours in advance for same-day trips. Rides are subject to availability, and fares are based on the distance traveled. The base fare is $2.25, one way, for a trip up to 10 miles.

If you want to know more about Transit Link please click on the link below

https://metrocouncil.org/Transportation/Services/Transit-Link.aspx

Transition Graduate Andy Schmidt

Andy Schmidt 

Andy Schmidt graduated from the Stillwater Transition program in June 2016.  He spent two years in program working at Goldwood Kennels & Wal-Mart as part time jobs while attending Northeast Metro 916 classes in Construction & Trades.

Andy's time at Transitions helped him prepare for his next step in pursuing a degree at Technical College. Andy transitioned into classes at Saint Paul Technical College after graduation.  He is pursuing a degree in Cabinetmaking.  Andy is enjoying his classes at Saint Paul Technical College and continues to work part-time with a very busy schedule. He was recently named to the fall semester Deans List for maintaining above 3.5 GPA. Andy  also enjoys hunting, fishing and trapping in his free time.



Andy's story of success is one I felt compelled to share with you all because he truly has worked hard to find the path to success in his jobs, career path and personal accomplishments.  Andy is the perfect example of a successful transition from high school into the adult world.  As his case manager I am glad that I had the opportunity to work with Andy and his parents to play a small roll in his current success.  He truly is a wonderful young man to work with and we all wish him much future success!

65 lb Beaver Trapped by Andy Schmidt

Cabinet Andy build at Technical College

Isaac and the Graphic Design Stone

The bizarre tales of a Graphic Design student

Certain tales involve a great hero overcoming great odds, some stories tell of those among us with great powers, my tale is a nerd who likes to mess about in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

Hello, I’m Isaac and I play with images for grades, I bet you’re jealous.  I’ve been shown to have certain creative skills with Art programs and decided to take Design & Digital Media class at Northeast Metro 916 to explore this as a career. Now I make tons of new designs everyday, of course that doesn’t stop me from making particularly bad jokes once in awhile such as the above example.

The Design & Digital Media class teaches photography, text design, animation, stop-motion, and of course Graphic Design. I spend my time either making real work of high quality or terrible memes at which I will now show you my favorite one:

A sedoka about dogs and cats. I put a lot more work than all the  other students did and I believe it shows. It still has some less than ideal parts, but I am proud of it.
I then come to Transitions in the afternoon for my classes and then go to work at Kowalski's Market. I really enjoy being a part of the Transition Program in that I also belong to the Skills USA Chapter at Transitions. All this keeps me very busy in my quest for finding the right career path for me.
By Isaac Henke

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.