What if finding a place in the workforce wasn’t overwhelming, but an opportunity discovered while working on a flower arrangement? For students transitioning out of high school, the leap into the workforce can feel daunting. But in Iowa Falls, a partnership between Iowa Falls-Alden High School and Central Rivers Area Education Agency (CRAEA) is changing that, offering real-world experience one step at a time.

The program utilizes a “continuum of opportunities,” as described by CRAEA Work Experience Coordinator Dawn McCleish, meaning no two paths look the same. Students build foundational skills in familiar, low-pressure settings–like a school-run coffee shop or a mock flower shop — before stepping out into the community to work alongside professionals at local businesses like car shops and retail stores. The level of support adjusts as their confidence grows.

According to CRAEA Work-Based Learning Coordinator Mitzi Petersen, the results speak for themselves. This school year alone, six out of 16 student interns were offered permanent positions at the businesses where they trained. That’s not just a statistic; it’s a young person building a life.

Consider Carly Hamilton, a junior at Iowa Falls-Alden, who interned at Bel Floral last fall. As Carly shared, the experience taught her that success “takes patience and you can”t learn everything in one week. You have to be creative and you have to try.” Shop owner Michelle Versteeg was impressed, noting Carly’s “genuine interest in flowers” and her desire to learn and engage.

That kind of connection — between a student, a mentor, and a community — is the core mission of this program. Principal Kyle Hutchinson says the CRAEA collaboration “bridges the gap between the classroom and the local workforce, ensuring every student has the tools they need to find their path.”

When students find their spot, families are stronger. Communities are stronger. And a young person who might have been overlooked gets to prove what they’re capable of. That’s worth investing in.

We invite local businesses to join us! Your partnership could be the moment a student like Carly discovers their path. For more information, reach out to Dawn McCleish at dmccleish@centralriversaea.org.

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Ryan Christoffer is a Regional Administrator with Central Rivers Area Education Agency based out of Cedar Falls. He can be reached at rchristoffer@centralriversaea.org. Central Rivers AEA helps over 5,000 K-12 teachers in 18 counties of north central Iowa improve results for over 60,000 students. Learn more at www.centralriversaea.org.