Local pros talk business at North Sanpete High School ‘Treat ‘n’ Speak’

By Linda Petersen

Staff writer

Oct. 6, 2017

MT. PLEASANT—North Sanpete High School has launched a new program to help students get ready for a career after graduation.

Treat ‘N Speak, which is held every other Wednesday during flex time (9:35-10 a.m.), invites local business professionals in to talk to students about their careers and what it takes to prepare for a job in that field.

“We do so many things with a college focus—ACT, ACT testing, ACT Aspire testing—we wanted more career puzzle-pieces in our picture also,” Vice Principal Jeff Erickson said. “We wanted to make sure we were not leaving out those kids who want to go straight into a career, on to vocational school or are not sure what they want to do after school.”

It’s just 25 minutes of focused time with the professional, but invaluable in terms of the information that is shared, Erickson said.

The first speaker, on Wednesday, Sept. 27, was Norbest CEO Matt Cook, who shared with students his career highlights, including the goal he had made early in his career to one day run the company.

Cook also took the opportunity to talk about agribusiness and the many different kinds of job opportunities that are available in the field from security, to electrician, to Chief Financial Officer and, ultimately, his position.

Erickson said 21 students attended the first event, which exceeded his expectations.

“It was awesome,” said Erickson, who borrowed the idea from Canyon View High School in Cedar City.

Erickson is scheduling professionals through the rest of the school year for Treat ‘N Speak. On the calendar through December:

• Oct. 11 — Matt Briggs, fish and game officer, Division of Wildlife Resources Oct. 25, David Ames, branch manager, Cache Valley Bank (Mt. Pleasant)
• Nov. 8, — Dr. Jacob Robison, optometrist, Eye Center of Ephraim
• Nov. 29, — Sindi Johnson, beautician and owner of Sindi’s Salon
• Dec. 13, — Gary McKenzie, head trainer and director of operations, Snow College

Next semester, presenters will include a nurse, a self-employed artist, Snow College head basketball coach and athletic director Robert Nielson and Mark Beck, owner of Beck’s Home Furnishings.

Erickson still has a few spots open and is hoping to fill one of them with a welder.

“We’re excited about the beginning so far,” he said. “We’re super appreciative of Matt Cook and the other presenters who are going to speak to our students.”

Treat ‘N Speak is held in Thomas Fell’s classroom so space is limited. The first 35 students each time receive a treat.