Transition

By Anna Lankutis
Vocational Support, Snowy Mountain Industries
A Montana Consumer Controlled Careers Demonstration Site

LAST YEAR AT SNOWY MOUNTAIN INDUSTRIES David Hammis of the Rural Institute’s Montana Consumer Controlled Careers project taught us that it is never too early to begin planning a career. David showed us how to use a PASS plan (Plan for Achieving Self Support) to help a student make the transition from school to work.

Daniel is a high school student in Grass Range, a small rural community in central Montana (only 153 people live in Grass Range and it is nearly 100 miles to the nearest metropolitan area). This summer Snowy Mountain Industries in Lewistown (about 30 miles from Grass Range) is exposing Daniel to some of the opportunities that will be available to him after graduation. He is learning how two of his peers operate their own business. He will help them at a concession stand that is part of the American Legion Baseball League. They operate the stand and train interested persons in how to sell menu items, calculate prices, and make change. This also gives Daniel an opportunity for social interaction and a chance to watch some great baseball.

When Daniel returns to school in the fall:

• A student peer, will be identified at the beginning of the term and trained as Daniel’s job site support person.

• Daniel will begin work experience at each of three job sites in the Grass Range community. Daniel will decide which of the types of jobs he prefers, if any. If he prefers none of the existing jobs, I will find others that are interesting to him.

• By the time Daniel’s year with Snowy Mountain Industries has ended, we hope to have a clear idea of what type of work/living setting Daniel wants when he makes his transition from school to work. As for anyone, transition can be rife with possibilities. Our goal is to help Daniel begin his adult career experience with a bit of security and excitement about the direction he has chosen.