In the Spotlight
TIPS
students at Oxbow and Hartford High Schools participated in business
tours that provided students direct contact with Vermont employers.
These tours gave students an opportunity to see different work
environments, learn about workplace expectations and engage in
conversations with employees at each site.
A HHS student said, “In order to buy stuff or to have things
like an apartment, I need a job that I am interested in and happy
at. TIPS, as I understand, will give me the option to experience
a job that I think I might want. Maybe I will like it and maybe
not, either way it will be a good experience for me, and I will
find out things about myself.” Students
also learned about the Granolamobile and how Nutty Steph’s
chooses to manage instate sales and deliveries with a vegetable
oil powered car. They also heard from employee Trisha Denton who
shared how she started her career with Nutty Steph and the Granola
Crew. Students felt motivated after visiting Nutty Steph's. A
student from HHS noted, “I had a blast!! This day was much
more than I expected. It inspired me to look deeper into different
companies and to explore new things.” An
Oxbow student helps wrap milk chocolate banana nut bars.
Other visits included
a stop at Ben and Jerry’s in Waterbury. Students took part
in a factory tour learning about how their ice cream is made,
distributed and sold. Small Dog Electronics in Waitsfield was
another company that students experienced. Small Dog Electronics
is an Apple specialist company committed to offering customers
a unique combination of value and superior customer service. Students
toured both their store and distribution center.
TIPS
Students Learn about VT BIZ
Our first stop was Nutty Steph’s Vermont Granola in Montpelier.
The students learned about Owner, Steph Rieke (a.k.a. Nutty Steph)
and her journey to manufacturing and selling the perfect granola
at the age of 23!
Steph recently took on the responsibility of a second company
known as Green River Chocolates. Students were encouraged by her
story and were made to feel right at home by her staff. A student
at Hartford High School (HHS) said that Steph was “outgoing
and down to earth, which made me more invested in the experience
and eager to participate in the discussion.“
Learning to ask questions and use observations skills was one
of our many objectives during the tours. Another HHS student said,
“Nutty Steph’s and staff were friendly and energetic.
They all seemed to love their jobs. It is something that they
have put together over the past few years and have fun doing.
I want to work in an environment where I am able to enjoy what
I do every day.” Kids openly expressed what their interests
were and what they hoped to gain from TIPS.
A Hartford High School student showcases a 10lb bar of chocolate
with Nutty Steph’s owner Steph Reike. During their visit
students were able to help split apart and melt the chocolate
bar while learning about the process of creating chocolate truffles
and other treats.
The last site we visited was Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR)
Visitors Center in Waterbury. At this newly renovated train station,
students learned about GMCR and their passion for coffee. Students
watched interactive videos highlighting where the coffee is grown
to how it is roasted and distributed right here in Vermont. Students
learned about different jobs that are available at one of the
200 Best Small Companies in America.
TIPS is offered to local high schools through a collaboration
between the Upper Valley Business and Education Partnership (UVBEP)
and Linking Learning to Life. Thanks to a grant from the Vermont
Department of Labor, UVBEP is piloting TIPS at two schools from
November 2007 - August 2008. As with other established UVBEP programs,
participating schools and communities need to provide matching
funding for TIPS or other programs to continue. Read
more or contact UVBEP for
details.
