By Linda Retzlaff

Kelly Syvertson has been a Business Instructor at White Shield School, located on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota, for 20 years. As an effort to improve student achievement and demonstrate career exploration, he established a School to Work Program. School to Work is a system of activities that helps young people transition from secondary school into the work world. This program allows students the opportunity to choose a local business to work at while enrolled as a full time high school student. The students start out in the classroom going through the necessary requirements in the job search which include writing a resume', cover letter and preparing for the interview. After all requirements are met, an interview is set up and the job experience begins.

Syvertson remembered reading an article stating that 75percent of high school graduates do not receive a four year degree, yet K-12 education systems continue to be based on providing for the college bound student. And even the college bound student may be lacking the skills, training, or career direction necessary for even entry-level jobs. He asked himself, what can be done to serve these students that do not get a college degree? He went back to college to take a couple courses that would qualify him to start a school to work program. 

Many obstacles stood in the way of getting this program started. The biggest was money. He knew that businesses would not be able to pay students and students would not work without pay. He decided to form a student-based business club to brainstorm how to raise money to support this program. The club formed a business making Native American Jewelry to sell at Flea Markets and Powwows. Students quickly came up with new product ideas including buttons, personalized calendars, and t-shirts. And this is how Warrior Printing, a school-based enterprise, was created.

The Business Club also has a student run school store. For a five year period, they even ran a convenience store in White Shield. The money generated from these school based enterprises provides student stipends for working at job sites. Recently, these students held a fundraiser for the people of Haiti as a way of giving back. Their plan is to raise money each year for a charity.

As the program evolved, objectives were defined and the goal of linking education to real life experience became reality. Benefits to the participating students include improving attendance and grade point averages, and building confidence and self worth. Other benefits come from building relationships between the school and the private sector. It takes cooperation from many different people and agencies to make this program a success. It takes flexibility in scheduling. Businesses need to open their doors and serve as a part of the educational system. Students need to do their best to get the most out of the educational process. Syvertson is very pleased with the support they have received from the school and local businesses. Without their support, the program would not be successful. 

White Elk Woman Dickens, a School to Work Program participant, works at a local business in nearby Garrison, ND. The program has given her valuable experience in dealing with the public, applying computer software skills to real life, and time management. "I was a very shy person," says White Elk Woman, "but working has given me self confidence, made me more responsible, and made me more aware of how important attention to detail is. I really like going to work. It's fun! This experience has made me see now that I would really like to go to college after I graduate high school. I'd like to get a degree in accounting and open my own business one day helping others file their taxes."

The White Shield School to Work Program, and Kelly Syvertson, have been active participants in Marketplace of Ideas and Marketplace for Kids through educating people on the success of their program, and through student participation in Marketplace entrepreneurship and career awareness.