Career Start
Preparing youth for a stronger and brighter future through job skill experience
Career Start allows in-school youth to develop the personal and professional skills necessary to succeed in the job market through a customized training based on each individual's needs
Quick Facts About Career Start
Gain the skills needed to lead to success
What is Career Start?
Career Start is a program for high school students. Students maintain a regular work shift during the school day in one of ReSOURCE’s departments at our Burlington or Barre locations.
Who can enroll in Career Start?
Enrolled high school students.
What training will I receive?
Career Start students gain hands-on experience and technical skills training within a ReSOURCE department. Students also participate in monthly personal and professional development classes and earn a monthly $55 stipend.
Cost: $1500, though tuition is FREE for qualifying Vermonters
Customer Service & Retail Household Goods Store: Customer service, stock and display merchandise, and possible cash register and phone skills. Building Materials Store: Customer service, stock and display merchandise, tape measure and hand tool use, possible cash register skills, and forklift certification.
Office Administration: Filing, phone skills, data entry, and typing
Computers and Electronics: Clean, test, and price computer components and accessories. Customer service related to computers and electronics available.
Overlook Cafe: Stock and display merchandise, basic food handling, and customer service.
Large Appliances: Repair and clean large appliances such as washers, dryers, and stoves. (Program on hold)
All ReSOURCE trainees will go through Personal and Professional Development (PPD) training to learn the necessary technical and soft skills needed to be successful in the work place. PPD classes are intended to prepare participants for post-graduation success and focus on 5 key skill development areas: Health and Wellness, Goal Setting and Achievement, Leadership Development, Career Planning, and Financial Literacy. Classes are facilitated by ReSOURCE trainers and guest facilitators, and skills proficiencies are integrated into each participant’s Education/Career Plan, a comprehensive portfolio assessment that includes: Career Exploration and Job Hunting Strategies; Resume Building and Cover Letter Development; Interviewing including Mock Interviews; Job shadowing and Internships. PPD trainers work closely with ReSOURCE’s Employment and Transition Coordinators, whose primary job responsibilities are to help students define and achieve goals in career pathways and educational opportunities. Together with this staff support team, participants refine career plans throughout their enrollment, and are supported for one year after graduation as they enter the job market and/pr post-secondary education.