Choosing a path after high school can feel overwhelming, but for many students, the journey becomes clearer with the right guidance. Today, we're diving into the vital role high school career advisors play in helping students become "Choice Ready" by the time they graduate—prepared to confidently pursue college, careers, or other opportunities.

We're joined by three Career Advisors who are dedicated professionals from the Grand Forks Public Schools and making a real difference in students' lives: Angela Beardemphl, Cara Davis, and Megan Folkert. Through their work, they empower students to explore their interests, build practical skills, and make informed decisions about their futures.

In this episode, we'll explore what it means to be Choice Ready, how career advisors support students along the way, and why this guidance is more important than ever in today's rapidly changing world.

We've all made mistakes in our lives. Bad decisions. Wrong turns. Moments we wish we could redo. But those mistakes don't have to define who we are — or limit where we're going.

On this episode, we're diving into a newer program from Job Service North Dakota called JP3 — a program built on second chances and new beginnings. JP3 is designed to help individuals move beyond their past choices and reconnect with meaningful employment and opportunity.

We'll begin with a message from Executive Director Pat Bertingolli and Director of Corrections and Rehabilitation Colby Braun, sharing how the JP3 program came to life and why this partnership matters.

Then, we'll head to our Fargo office to hear firsthand from JP3 client Cody and JP3 Advisor Trisha Thomas about the real impact this program is making.

Second chances. Real support. New opportunities.

Employers ~ You should also watch our webinar Breaking Barriers: Hiring Justice Involved Individuals.

Today, we're coming to you from an exciting new hub of opportunity and innovation — the Career Innovation Center (CIC) in Fargo. As one of the newest Career and Technical Education centers in North Dakota, the CIC serves students from Fargo, West Fargo, Northern Cass, and Central Cass school districts, creating powerful pathways from the classroom to the workforce.

What makes this CTE center especially unique is its strong partnership with North Dakota State College of Science — a collaboration that gives students access to advanced training, real-world experience, and college-level opportunities while still in high school. It's a bold example of how Career and Technical Education continues to evolve to meet workforce needs and prepare students for high-demand, high-skill careers.

Today on The Job Pod, we're joined by two leaders helping drive that vision forward: Dr. Denise Jonas, CTE Director of the Cass County Career & Technical Education Consortium, and Shanda Cool, Work-Based Learning Coordinator. We'll talk about the impact of the CIC, the power of partnerships, and how innovative CTE programs are helping build the future workforce.

Visit Career Innovation Center for more information.