Students learn more about career choices through mentor program Posted 11/6/01 by Brenda Haugen Managing Editor When Eagan High School senior Andrea Obrycki was matched with a company through the schoolís Mentor Program, she expected to find her niche. As it turns out, she did, but it wasnít with that company. Obrycki is interested in marketing and was placed with a company that does a lot of trade shows. When she decided this wasnít the path she wanted to follow, Obrycki was connected with a smaller marketing firm with more of a graphics-type base, and sheís loving it. According to Rebecca Knutsen, the Mentor Program coordinator at EHS, Obryckiís experience is not unique. ìSuccess isnít always determined by enjoying the mentorship,î Knutsen said. According to Knutsen, students interested in becoming doctors have mentored with working doctors and decided that being a nurse was a better fit for them. ìThey just saved their parents a ton of money and themselves a lot of school,î Knutsen said. The mentoring experiences give the students the chance to see not only if the jobs theyíre looking at fit their views of the future, but what types of working environments suit them as well. Maybe theyíre comfortable in a big office where suits and ties are the order of the day. Or maybe smaller offices, or ones with less strict dress codes, better match their personalities. Obrycki said being part of the Mentor Program has been valuable in many ways. Along with finding a path in marketing she plans to follow, sheís learned to put together a resume, do research and practice her ìpeople skillsî in a real-world environment. She also has honed her skills in interviewing for jobs, she said. The opportunities offered through the Mentor Program are varied. Along with the careers already mentioned, EHS students have mentored with numerous professionals, including teachers, child therapists, meteorologists, politicians, FBI agents and police officers. ìIt really goes all over the map,î Knutsen said. Regardless of the studentsí interests, mentors can be found. ìA lot of kids donít think their careers are realistic,î Knutsen said. These students donít think there are really opportunities for them in the careers theyíd hope to choose and are surprised when a mentor is found, she said. The program wouldnít be successful without the support of businesses and the mentors they provide. ì(The business community) loves it,î Knutsen said. ìFor the most part, the community wants to be involved. The overwhelming response is, ëGosh, I wish I had this in high school.í î The program has been in place at Eagan High School for about 10 years after being adopted in District 196 (Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan) from a similar offering in District 917, Knutsen said. Students involved in the program mainly are college-bound youths. According to Knutsen, students apply to be part of the program and must have a 3.0 grade-point average or above and have teachersí recommendations to be considered. ìTheyíre hand picked,î Knutsen said of students in the program. Those participating must be independent learners, because each person in Mentor Program class ó which is required before students do a mentorship in the community ó is usually looking at a different career than his/her classmates are, Knutsen said. Along with giving students a glimpse into the future careers, the Mentor Program gives them other advantages over their peers. They each have the start of a portfolio they can show to colleges or for possible internships. Some past mentor students also have used their experience in the program as the subject of scholarship essays, Knutsen said. This year, about 25 EHS students are taking part in the Mentor Program. Knutsen said she hopes to get that number boosted to 45 to 50. She encourages parents to talk to their children about taking advantage of the opportunity. ìMy objective for these kids is giving them the best experience they can get,î Knutsen said. She also is looking for more people in the community to serve as mentors. The program is currently enrolling students for the year and mentors in a variety of fields are being sought. If youíd like to be involved in the EHS Mentor Program, call Knutsen at (651) 683-8507. ©Thisweek Newspapers