American Association of People with Disabilities

Workplace mentors share with students

Jared Curtis
Published October 27, 2006

Professionals from veterinarians to public television employees were followed Wednesday by 37 high school students from Des Moines and Johnston. And with good reason: It was Disability Career Mentoring Day.

JARED CURTIS/REGISTER PHOTOS North High School student Travis Nodgaard worked with the landscaping crew at Prairie Meadows on Wednesday as part of Career Mentoring Day. Nodgaard said it was a good experience for him to try different jobs.

The day matched students with employers at the workplace for job shadowing and workplace mentoring.

"The day was fun. I love horses, so I was really interested in the veterinarian job," said Lincoln High School student Tracy Stufflebeem, 17.

Students had a chance to learn firsthand about the careers they are interested in pursuing after high school graduation.

"I had a good time, I learned a lot, and painting is something I'm interested in pursuing after high school," said Bridges student Tyrell Baskett.

The event also gave students more information about internships and jobs, targeted career skills for improvement, explored possible career paths and demonstrated students' skills to potential employers.

"It's good to get out and experience all kinds of jobs," said North High student Travis Nodgaard, 17.

Mentors from 16 companies participated, including the Civic Center of Greater Des Moines, Marriott Hotel, EMC Insurance, Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino and Iowa Public Television.

"With our new food service area we will be hiring a lot more people, and it's great for the students to actually see how many jobs we offer," said Prairie Meadows Employee Relations Manager Gina Vitivitto-Robinson.

The day began with breakfast at the Iowa Workforce Development office and a briefing so students knew what to expect and how to act in the workplace.

"I went to the veterinarian office at Prairie Meadows because I like animals and would like to get into a vet program after school," said Scavo Campus student Ashlee Hutson, 19.

Students deemed the day a success.

"It was fun learning how to prepare the food and how to get everything out onto the tables, but working with food made me hungry," said Scavo student Matt Sulentic.