Above: Students attending the Inspire Conference at the University of Minnesota. The conference was for students interested in biomedicine and engineering. Students are describing their invention to monitor NICU skin conditions.
Fall Career Field Trips
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Student Spotlight:Zach Orthaus
I've always been interested in agriculture through my uncle's dairy farm and my own family's hobby farm. The agriculture and power mechanics classes I took in high school helped me understand that becoming an Ag Tech was what I wanted to do for my future.
Through our Career Launch classes, Zach is interning at Midwest Machinery in Columbus, working 15 hours/week. After graduation, he will be attending Northwood Technical College in Richmond, WI to pursue a diploma in Agricultural Power and Equipment Technician. Zach will graduate in two years with a lot of experience and a diploma to launch his career repairing large farm equipment. Way to go, Zach!
Teacher Spotlight: Cheryl Smoczyk (Education Classes)
I like to think that teaching someone how to be a great teacher is about more than pedagogy....it is about modeling best practices myself and giving students experiences that help them grow. The great part about the growth in my Exploring Education (or Psychology of Childhood) students is that observing them closely is inspiring to my own growth as well! Each student becomes my teacher. They are all so different. Even if they won't actually become a teacher, many of my students will be the scout leaders, volunteer coaches and Sunday school teachers of the future, and since many plan to become parents, I hope to influence them to be a positive first teacher of their own children!
Our students interested in education have the opportunities to better understand the career field by learning the pedagogy and theory and then actually putting it into action though teaching experiences. Students in Psychology of Childhood create a play school for area preschool age children. Students in Exploring Education are able to regularly go to Forest Lake and Forest View Elementary to teach lessons to elementary students. Check out the Career Launch podcast below to hear from students about their experiences.
Industry Partner Spotlight: M Health Fairview Lakes Medical Center
M Health Fairview has been a tremendous partner to Forest Lake Area High School. Earlier this year, they hosted 50 of our students during their second day of Healthcare Career Camp. Students rotated through four sessions: da Vinci Surgical Robot (pictured here), Physical Therapy, Radiology, and the Lab, and participated in Stop The Bleed training (trauma care).
With their input on our Healthcare Advisory Board, we added several healthcare classes to our offereings last year (Medical Dosages, Medical Terminology, Pharmacology, and Exploring Medical Careers). They also provided career speakers for our Career Exploration Day in November; and will host an upcoming Career Field Trip in February. Forest Lake Area High School is very fortunate to have the support and partnership of M Health Fairview.
Alumni Spotlight: Sara Frasl, Class of 2022
I applied to Rosenbauer America using the cover letter and resume I developed in Career Launch with Mr. Miron. Once hired, I started in pre-electrical, which included wiring bodies. After four months, I was awarded "Employee of the Month". I have now been promoted to pump electrical where I take a lot more mind-challenging tasks. Recently, I moved into my own place on 5 acres. I am thankful to Career Launch and Mr. Miron for the resources, support, and skills which helped me develop and achieve my goals.
During Sara's time at Forest Lake Area High School she worked hard in a wide variety of classes, including everything from agriculture, to automotive, to business, and social sciences. She also challenged herself with rigorous classes including AP classes. By the middle of her senior year, she had decided that she wanted to pursue an electrical related career field. Based on her goals, Rosenbauer seemed like the perfect fit.