School-to-work programs have grown as a different educational pathway for students who plan to work after high school so they can balance academics and work experience. These programs allow students to work in business while still at school and provide them with valuable real-world skills and experiences.
I had the opportunity to ask Mrs.Brunton, a teacher here at Potosi High School, and ask her how long she has been involved with the school-to-work program and what motivated her to participate. She informed me that here at Potosi she has worked with the school-to-work program since 2016. She stated that there wasn't much of a program when she started here, and she developed a strong program at her former school Shullsburg before she came here. She thinks it's a great program for kids who are motivated to learn and want to get hands-on experience at a job site before graduating. There are roughly 10 students each year that enter into the program. The industries that some students choose to work in include farms, construction, marketing, nursing, and transportation.
The requirements for this program are that you have to be at least a junior or a senior, and you have to maintain a C average grade in all classes. You have to maintain a steady employment with your company. You also need to work 480 hours a year. To be involved in this program you must also take the Work Experience class. Brunton really enjoys working with the students in the program.
Students who work while still in the program are able to build up their employability skills. They gain hands-on experience and learn time management, problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills in a real-world setting. School-to-work programs provide students with an opportunity to earn money and become more responsible. This extra money can help them pay for future schooling or reduce stress on their families, and the experience has been shown to improve their academic performance as well.
I also interviewed Will Yager, a senior here at Potosi High School, and asked him some questions about his experience with the work program. He works at Luke Droessler Painting and Sandblasting and has been in the school-to-work program for two years. His job consists of sandblasting, painting, and maintenance duties. He works on vehicles and does regular maintenance repairs like tire rotations and oil changes. He says he likes his job because he learns a lot of skills in the real world. He likes his hours, the people he works with, the flexible scheduling, and a good work environment.
By working in various industries, students in the school-to-work programs can learn firsthand about different careers they may want to pursue after high school. This first-hand experience helps them make informed decisions about their future career choices and develop a clearer understanding of their interests and strengths.
I'm currently participating in the school-to-work program as well. I've been working at my position at Walmart since May 2023. I find this very rewarding because I can earn money while still being a high school student. I'm gaining real-world experience and building my resume. I would really encourage any high school student to take advantage of this program because it's very rewarding in the long run. Mrs. Brunton has been an exceptional help to other students and myself through this program.