HUMAN SERVICES STUDENTS WORK IN THE COMMUNITY

As part of the Human Services program at BTC, eleven second year students are having the opportunity to further explore their career interests. During the month of March, students go to a community placement every day instead of coming to class. Placements this year include Pine Forest Childcare Center, CP Smith Elementary School, Champlain Elementary School, Burlington Rehabilitation Center, Tiny Tots Preschool, St. Michael’s Childcare Center, BHS Special Needs classes and Shelburne Community School. Students are working with people of all ages from infants through the elderly. Placements are tailored to individual student goals. Upon completion, students are evaluated by site supervisors and must reflect on their experiences.

JoAnn Wolter, Human Services instructor says: “This part of our program is very valuable to our students. They are able to try out and experience a career before making either an employment or college commitment. Some of our students think they really want to work with certain populations and this experience either reinforces their goals or gets them thinking about alternative interests they may pursue. Having this opportunity in high school is very exciting, they come back with lots of enthusiasm for their futures.”