Kara Martin – Agriculture & Woodworking Co-Op

My name is Kara Martin.  I am currently a senior at Garden Spot High School and enrolled in the co-op program. Although I have all my high school credits completed, I will still be enrolled in the program in order to still be involved in the FFA.  I will start working full-time for the second semester and still receive credit.

My first co-op job was at Brownhill Stables, a horse farm, which was a job that I have had since I was 12.  I have gained new job tasks throughout those years.  My job tasks started with just doing evening feedings.  Throughout the years I picked up some more feeding shifts and more working hours.  With being there more hours, I started helping with lessons in the evenings, started giving ponies rides, helping with birthday parties, etc.  Within the past 2 years, I have started teaching lessons and gained the title of Jr. Instructor.  I now help supervise barn parties, plan events, help with some of the office work, etc.  I love working at Brownhill with animals and all our customers.

A little bit before Thanksgiving break, I started thinking about getting another job.  The thought of switching jobs was not something I wanted to do but knew I need to find a job with benefits and a retirement plan.  Thanks to the co-op class it was not as scary as I thought it was going to be.  I got to tour many different places and have found my new job.  Once the second semester starts, I will be starting a full-time job at Conestoga Wood Specialties.  My tasks there will be staining and glazing doors and cabinets until I turn 18.

As far as the future goes, I will have busy days, but I am very excited.  In the mornings I will milk cows, then go work at Conestoga, then after that, I will go work at Brownhill Stables.  Every day will not look like this but will consist of that.  The co-op program helped me figure out how to have a job with benefits and keep my other two “fun” jobs.