Sanders County students prepare for future

THOMPSON FALLS – According to recent statistics, 60 percent of college graduates fail to find jobs in their field of study. On average, college graduates find themselves $27,200 in debt to student loans and 70 percent of graduates end up living with mom, are unemployed or working a minimum wage job.

These alarming figures demonstrate a desperate need for smart planning regarding life after high school. This was the purpose of the Balance Your Future event. Thompson Falls High School hosted a county wide career education day on Tuesday, March 25th.

Thompson Falls, Plains and Hot Springs students were in attendance as well as one student from Noxon who gave up a day of his spring break to learn more about future options.

The day began with a general address describing the importance of research and learning what opportunities are available. The students were also told to do what works best for them and their individual situation. The future is far too important to leave up to peer pressure.

After the general address, the students were divided into nine different groups and rotated from room to room to hear all nine speakers.

Program Specialist for the Department of Labor and Industry Ken McLean of Helena talked about apprentice and job opportunities currently available. Dr. Larry White and Associate Professor Martha Robertson of the University of Montana-Missoula shared some current and future medical opportunities with the students.

Several of the universities were represented. Tim Kober of Montana Tech in Butte, Kyle Pucko of Missoula College, Katy Brooke of Flathead Valley Community College and Dustyn Azure and Holly Hass of Montana State University Northern had their speeches ready for the students.

Mary Howard with the Student Assistance Foundation emphasized personal finance to the high school students. She discussed how detrimental student loans can be and described different financial aid opportunities available to the students.

The local students seemed to enjoy hearing from those that had gone before them. Four Sanders County graduates relayed their personal experiences with life after high school. Bob Diamond from Plains is now a Hot Springs teacher. Cody Mossier of Thompson Falls found a career at Costco and Josie Schuster works as a beautician and has her own business.

The final presentation of the day for the Plains High School sophomore class was TSGT (technical sergeant) Joshua Holderman of the Air Force and he told them about the many benefits of joining the military.

Holderman joined the Air Force because he did not know what he wanted to study in college or what he wanted to pursue afterwards. He was also fond of the idea of having his schooling paid for after he served his time. He ended up loving his job and stayed in the military.

Holderman had some sound advice for the students. He reiterated multiple times the importance of taking one’s time when planning for the future.

“Don’t go to a four year college right after high school just because that’s what you think you are supposed to do and that’s what your friends are doing,” Holderman said. “If you don’t know what you want to study, take a year or two to save up money and then decide. Don’t waste your time and money. There is nothing wrong with taking some time to figure it out.”

At the end of the day, Holderman said he had a good time and many of the kids seemed receptive to what the presenters were telling them.

The first annual Balance Your Future event was a success, according to organizer and former superintendent Jerry Pauli.

“We had a very good response from the students and the presenters even though it was a tiring day,” Pauli said. “They got a lot of information.”

Students left with the understanding of the importance of research and exploring options such as technical schools and apprenticeships.

The event was made possible thanks to the Perkins Grant from the state department. The grant goes towards schools in need of more career education.

The hope is to keep the Balance Your Future event going for years to come. The students that attended will be given a survey soon so the organizers can get suggestions for the next event.