Employers
Educators
Students
Parents
Why should Employers use the Opportunity
Connection?
The Opportunity Connection is a user–friendly
“one stop” process that makes it easy for employers
to invest in their future workforce by sharing their career opportunities
with students and educators. In the Resource
Exchange, employers can view resources and opportunities
that are available to them. Benefits for employers include:
- provides a one–stop process to sign up to partner with schools
- streamlines requests made of employers to reduce or coordinate calls
- helps employers be proactive in their involvement by establishing criteria and goals for participation
- gives employers a way to share career activities with schools
- enlarges the base of employers willing to provide opportunities to schools.
Who can use the Opportunity Connection?
The Opportunity Connection:
- Birch Run Area Schools
- Bridgeport-Spaulding Community Schools
- Buena Vista School District
- Carrollton Public Schools
- Frankenmuth School District
- Freeland Community School District
- Hemlock Public School District
- Merrill Community Schools
- Saginaw Township Community Schools
- St. Charles Community Schools
- School District of the City of Saginaw
- Swan Valley School District
If I register on this site, will
I be contacted by lots of different teachers and students?
You will be contacted by a limited number of individuals from the schools, called School District Coordinators. When educators and students search through the database, they can see information about the opportunity you are providing but not your organization’s name or the contact person information. All requests are channeled through School District Coordinators to streamline the number of calls you receive. Your organization’s name will be available through the View List
of Participating Organizations, and users can link to your
website through this list.
As an individual employee, can I
sign up even if my employer has not yet signed up?
Yes, you can sign up to be a speaker. You can also
discuss the Opportunity Connection with your employer and encourage
him/her to register.
As an employer, I would like my employees
to be involved but am concerned about how much time from work
this will take.
It is wonderful that you are interested in having
employees participate and we understand your concerns. There
are many things you can do to monitor this situation:
- Set a policy regarding volunteerism
- Give every employee certain time for volunteering
- Encourage lunchtime volunteering and give an extra 1/2 hour at lunch
- Reward employees for volunteering (find out what they are doing)
What else is available through this
site?
In addition to the program database, you can access
and/or suggest Other Sites. You can
also post requests of schools or browse through a list of what
schools might need through the Resource
Exchange. And, the Announcements
section allows you to share news about your business and read
about happenings in local schools.
Are there liability issues I should
be concerned about in working with students?
Basically, when a student is visiting or working in an unpaid position, they are covered by their school or parents. When a student is in a paid position, you are responsible as for any other employee. For more information on liability, see A Guide to Work–Based Learning: Business and Industry Risk Management Plan.
Is there a cost for using the Opportunity Connection?
The Opportunity Connection is funded by Arnold & Gertrude Boutell Trust, Birch Run Area Schools, Bridgeport-Spaulding Community Schools, Buena Vista School District, Carrollton Public Schools, The Dow Chemical Company, Frankenmuth School District, Freeland Community School District, Hemlock Public School District, Merrill Community Schools, Michigan Works!, Saginaw Township Community Schools, St. Charles Community Schools, Saint Mary's, School District of the City of Saginaw, and Swan Valley School District. The system is managed by the Saginaw County Business and Education Partnership and is monitored by a steering committee comprised of representatives of the participating school districts and local employers. The Saginaw County Business and Education Partnership is funded through grants and contributions from schools and businesses.
Submit a question. (We will try to respond with 7-10 days.)
Why should Educators use the Opportunity
Connection?
By using the Opportunity Connection, educators gain
access to a larger, more centralized base of employers willing
to provide opportunities and resources to students and educators.
Who can use the Opportunity Connection?
The Opportunity Connection is available to Saginaw County educators and students who are part of these school districts:
- Birch Run Area Schools
- Bridgeport-Spaulding Community Schools
- Buena Vista School District
- Carrollton Public Schools
- Frankenmuth School District
- Freeland Community School District
- Hemlock Public School District
- Merrill Community Schools
- Saginaw Township Community Schools
- St. Charles Community Schools
- School District of the City of Saginaw
- Swan Valley School District
Do I have to follow any rules or
guidelines when I use this site?
Yes, by using the site you agree to follow the guidelines
contained in the Terms & Conditions
for Use.
Why are organization and contact
names unavailable to me?
In most instances, the name of the organization offering an opportunity and the name of the contact person are not available. Users still have access to the opportunities by completing the search process and requesting specific opportunities through a School District Coordinator. By using a process that channels requests and contacts through a limited number of people, employers are less likely to become overburdened by requests. You can see the names of all the organizations that have opportunities listed on the site through the View List
of Participating Organizations and even link to their websites
if you would like to learn more about them.
Where does my request go to be processed?
When and how will I get a response?
After you submit your request to your School District Coordinator, he/she will contact you and the business to discuss the requested opportunity and any necessary arrangements. You should expect to be contacted by phone, e–mail, or fax within two weeks from the time you submit your request.
Can I request more than one opportunity
at a time?
You can only request one opportunity per sign–up
form. However, you may submit as many requests for as many
opportunities that you would like to take part in.
What if someone else requests the
same opportunity?
There are plenty of employers who are willing to provide different career opportunities through the Opportunity Connection. When you submit your request, your School District Coordinator will reserve your opportunity until all arrangements are made!
How often are new opportunities posted
on the Opportunity Connection?
Opportunities are continuously posted by employers
and are updated annually. Check the Opportunity Connection periodically
to see if new opportunities have been added.
Who sees my request? Am I going to
get junk mail by using the Opportunity Connection?
When an educator submits his/her request to their School District Coordinator, only the School District Coordinator gets that information. The information students, employers, and educators provide is confidential and not distributed to outside organizations.
What kind of employers sign up to
be on the Opportunity Connection and where are they from? How
do they sign up and are they screened before being posted?
Employers from both the for–profit and non–profit sectors who are interested in providing career opportunities for students and educators in Saginaw County are recruited to be part of the Opportunity Connection and can sign–up online or via mail. The Saginaw County Business and Education Partnership continually recruits these employers as well as screens them before thåir infoòmation is posted.
Will I be able to access other sites
of interest to educators through this website?
Absolutely! We have included links to many other innovative
websites that we think will be of interest to educators. If you
find one on your own, let
us know so that other educators can benefit from it too.
What if I’m
trying to find a resource other than the ones listed on the Opportunity
Connection?
Visit the Resource Exchange
to post a need or offer something for employers/organizations.
What else is available through this
site?
In addition to the program database, Other
Sites, and the Resource Exchange,
there is an Announcements
section where you can share news about your school or classroom.
Is there a cost for using the Opportunity
Connection?
The Opportunity Connection, funded by Arnold & Gertrude Boutell Trust, Birch Run Area Schools, Bridgeport-Spaulding Community Schools, Buena Vista School District, Carrollton Public Schools, The Dow Chemical Company, Frankenmuth School District, Freeland Community School District, Hemlock Public School District, Merrill Community Schools, Michigan Works!, Saginaw Township Community Schools, St. Charles Community Schools, Saint Mary's, School District of the City of Saginaw, and Swan Valley School District, is a FREE resource. The system is managed by the Saginaw County Business and Education Partnership and is monitored by a steering committee comprised of representatives of the participating school districts. The Saginaw County Business and Education Partnership is funded through grants and contributions from schools and businesses.
Submit a question. (We will try to respond with 7-10 days.)
Why should Students use the Opportunity
Connection?
By using the Opportunity Connection, students can
connect with employers that are volunteering their time and resources
to provide students with various career exploration opportunities.
Who can use the Opportunity Connection?
The Opportunity Connection is available to Saginaw County educators and students who are part of these school districts:
- Birch Run Area Schools
- Bridgeport-Spaulding Community Schools
- Buena Vista School District
- Carrollton Public Schools
- Frankenmuth School District
- Freeland Community School District
- Hemlock Public School District
- Merrill Community Schools
- Saginaw Township Community Schools
- St. Charles Community Schools
- School District of the City of Saginaw
- Swan Valley School District
How do I sign up?
Just use the student
sign up on the website. It will allow you to search through
the available opportunities and select the one(s) that you are
most interested in. Read the Program
Guides to learn about the process for each program.
Where does my request go to be processed?
When and how will I get a response?
After you submit your request to your School District Coordinator, he/she will contact you and the business to discuss the requested opportunity and any necessary arrangements. You should expect to be contacted by phone, e–mail, or fax within two weeks from the time you submit your request.
Can I request more than one opportunity
at a time?
You can only request one opportunity per sign–up
form. However, you may submit as many requests for as many
opportunities that you would like to take part in.
What kind of employers sign up to
be on the Opportunity Connection and where are they from? How
do they sign up and are they screened before being posted?
Employers from both the for–profit and non–profit sectors who are interested in providing career opportunities for students and educators in Saginaw County are recruited to be part of the Opportunity Connection and can sign–up online or via mail. The Saginaw County Business and Education Partnership continually recruits these employers as well as screens them before their information is posted.
Do I have to follow any rules or
guidelines when I use this site?
Yes, by using the site you agree to follow the guidelines
contained in the Terms & Conditions
for Use.
Why are organization and contact
names unavailable to me?
In most instances, the name of the organization offering an opportunity and the name of the contact person are not available. Users still have access to the opportunities by completing the search process and requesting specific opportunities through a School District Coordinator. By using a process that channels requests and contacts through a limited number of people, employers are less likely to become overburdened by requests. You can see the names of all the organizations that have opportunities listed on the site through the View List
of Participating Organizations and even link to their websites
if you would like to learn more about them.
What if someone else requests the
same opportunity?
There are plenty of employers who are willing to provide different career opportunities through the Opportunity Connection. When you submit your request, your School District Coordinator will reserve your opportunity until all arrangements are made!
How often are new opportunities posted
on the Opportunity Connection?
Opportunities are continuously posted by employers
and are updated annually. Check the Opportunity Connection periodically
to see if new opportunities have been added.
Who sees my request? Am I going to
get junk mail by using the Opportunity Connection?
When a student submits his/her request to their School District Coordinator, only the School District Coordinator gets that information. The information students, employers, and educators provide is confidential and not distributed to outside organizations.
I’m looking for summer employment.
How do I find out where the jobs are?
Easy! Connect to the local job bank through Michigan
Works! There you will find summer employment opportunities.
What other type of career information
can I access from this site?
By clicking on Other Sites
you can connect to websites that can help with employment opportunities
in Michigan and the U.S., careers that are high–tech, the
top 10 careers in the country, etc. Your search opportunities
are endless!
Where can I go to get career information
at my school?
Talk to your counselor or visit the school library.
Is there a cost for using the Opportunity
Connection?
The Opportunity Connection, funded by Arnold & Gertrude Boutell Trust, Birch Run Area Schools, Bridgeport-Spaulding Community Schools, Buena Vista School District, Carrollton Public Schools, The Dow Chemical Company, Frankenmuth School District, Freeland Community School District, Hemlock Public School District, Merrill Community Schools, Michigan Works!, Saginaw Township Community Schools, St. Charles Community Schools, Saint Mary's, School District of the City of Saginaw, and Swan Valley School District, is a FREE resource. The system is managed by the Saginaw County Business and Education Partnership and is monitored by a steering committee comprised of representatives of the participating school districts and local employers. The Saginaw County Business and Education Partnership is funded through grants and contributions from schools and businesses.
Submit a question. (We will try to respond with 7–10 days.)
Who can use the Opportunity Connection?
The Opportunity Connection is available to Saginaw County educators and students who are part of these school districts:
- Birch Run Area Schools
- Bridgeport-Spaulding Community Schools
- Buena Vista School District
- Carrollton Public Schools
- Frankenmuth School District
- Freeland Community School District
- Hemlock Public School District
- Merrill Community Schools
- Saginaw Township Community Schools
- St. Charles Community Schools
- School District of the City of Saginaw
- Swan Valley School District
Can I sign my child up for any of
these activities myself?
No. We would like students to sign
up for their own activities. Parents can support their children
by encouraging them to search
for career opportunities and activities offered by area employers.
You can search the database and see what types of programs are
available for your student. This way, you can help guide your
child’s decision but still
let him/her take the initiative to sign up for the activity him/herself.
Are these activities going to interfere
with my child’s college plans?
Absolutely not! These activities are designed to enhance
a student’s career decision
by making his/her choices more focused and helping them to have
a clearer picture of the career they want to pursue.
My child’s school said they
are not doing some of these things. Why not?
Not every school participates in every program. If
you see a program or activity that you would like to have offered
at your school, contact your school’s
principal or a member of the school’s
improvement team.
Why is it important for my child
to participate in any of these programs?
They provide a connection between academics and occupations
so that all students—from kindergarten
through 12th grade and beyond—benefit
from focused, relevant learning that prepares them for successful
careers.
How can my special education child
participate?
Special education students can participate in all
activities just like any other student. This might be better
explained by reviewing the special
education School–to–Work website.
For people who do not have a computer
at home, how would they access this site?
For those people without personal computers, they
can access this site from the public library, their local community
center, the local high school, or private companies that offer
public computer access.
Is there a cost for using the Opportunity
Connection?
The Opportunity Connection, funded by Arnold & Gertrude Boutell Trust, Birch Run Area Schools, Bridgeport-Spaulding Community Schools, Buena Vista School District, Carrollton Public Schools, The Dow Chemical Company, Frankenmuth School District, Freeland Community School District, Hemlock Public School District, Merrill Community Schools, Michigan Works!, Saginaw Township Community Schools, St. Charles Community Schools, Saint Mary's, School District of the City of Saginaw, and Swan Valley School District, is a FREE resource. The system is managed by the Saginaw County Business and Education Partnership and is monitored by a steering committee comprised of representatives of the participating school districts and local employers. The Saginaw County Business and Education Partnership is funded through grants and contributions from schools and businesses.
Submit a question. (We will try to respond with 7–10 days.)