Riverton High School aims to bridge connection between school and career choices

RIVERTON, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) -

The Riverton High School is providing an opportunity for students as well as business owners and community members to participate in what they’re calling an “adulting” day, followed up by a job fair in the afternoon.

Class sponsors at Riverton High School know students that leave high school, and at times feel unprepared for life after graduation. Every year a student survey yields results that share the students are concerned about how their learning connects to the real world.

Natalie Krusemeier, Riverton High School Freshman Class Sponsor stated, “Always hear back from students that they don’t feel that we teach them enough real life skills. They feel like once they graduate from high school, they don’t know how to participate in the real world. Obviously we teach them the skills that they need, but they don’t always make those connections, so we’re really hoping this adulting day and job fair makes that connection for them.”

The high school will hold the “adulting” portion the morning of May 6th, teaching students skills like sewing on a button, financial management, and opening a checking account.

Riverton High School Freshman Class Sponsor Sara Tolstedt stated, “Ideally I want our students to understand that everything we do actually does have a purpose, that it really is driving toward the larger goal of making sure that they’re functional adults.”

Teachers said the advantage of attending the job fair for business owners, is an environment provided to spot the best candidate for their job opening, or even just to keep an outstanding student’s application on file. However, the event doesn’t only benefit employers.

“My hope is that the kids can see something that they connect with and have a vision for themselves in the future once they graduate. A lot of our freshman don’t have that, they’re just going through the motions at this point,” noted Krusemeier.

Tolstedt added that sometimes students imagine what they’re being taught will never be used after high school, but she wants them to understand that the processes of learning the material is part what truly helps them in the long run. Tolstedt explained, “I think adding this in, gives them some of those bits and pieces of information that we don’t always have time to cover in the regular curriculum.”

As far as community members, a school board member will be teaching accounting skills, and the alliance against domestic violence will teach people how to spot an unhealthy relationship to name a few.

The job fair is May 6th from 12:00-2:30 p.m. Community members and business owners interested in having a booth are welcome to call Riverton High School for more information, or email Natalie Krusemeier at nkrusemeier@fremont25.org.

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