Episode 61: Celebrate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month
Release Date: 02/12/2024
Grand Forks Public Schools Career Advisors
The Job Pod
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...
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Episode 88: JP3 Program
The Job Pod
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...
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Episode 87: Career Innovation Center
The Job Pod
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...
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Episode 86: Career Impact Academy
The Job Pod
What happens when a community comes together for its students? Grand Forks didn’t just support Career and Technical Education—they invested in it. As North Dakota expands CTE centers statewide, Grand Forks stepped up to match federal funds and bring the Career Impact Academy (CIA) to life. In this episode, we’re joined by Eric Ripley, Executive Director of Career and Technical Education for Grand Forks Public Schools, to talk about why CTE matters, how students are becoming choice ready, and what this means for the future of the workforce and the community. Visit to find out more about...
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Episode 85: Civility in the Workplace
The Job Pod
What does civility at work really look like—and why does it matter so much? Today, Dusty is exploring how everyday behavior shapes workplace culture and what we can all do to improve it. Dusty recently heard Susan Williams, a trainer with The Village Family Service Center, speak to the Grand Forks local HR association, and her insights were too good not to share. Learn more about The Village Family Service Center at https://www.thevillagefamily.org/.
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Episode 84: DSG Supply
The Job Pod
One of the goals of the Job Pod is to introduce you to employers who are doing things right. In this episode, Dusty heads to Fargo and sits down with Cole Mercier, Communications Manager, and Teri Winkelman, Talent Acquisition Manager at DSG Supply. They give you a closer look and share what makes DSG Supply a great place to work—and why their team is proud to be there.
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Episode 83: CHI Home Health
The Job Pod
Today’s guest on The Job Pod is here to shed light on the world of home health and hospice—what it is, what kind of school or training required, why it matters, and how it impacts families and communities. Keisha Spitzer, an experienced RN and the director of CHI Health at Home and Hospice in Breckenridge, Minnesota, brings a wealth of knowledge and compassion to the conversation.
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Episode 82: Military Spouse Employment
The Job Pod
In honor of Veterans Day, Dusty sits down with Sue Grollimund and Adessa Bentley to talk about employment and what that can look like when you are the spouse of a military veteran. They discuss the unique challenges military spouses face when it comes to finding — and keeping — meaningful employment, as well as the incredible strengths and skills they bring to any workplace. Most people don’t realize that many military spouses need to work, yet they often face obstacles most civilians never consider. With service members relocating every two to three years, military spouses are...
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Episode 81: Careers in Bioscience
The Job Pod
On this episode of the Job Pod, Dusty talks and learns about bioscience. Dusty sits down with the brilliant Dr. Jeremy Houser — founder of the nonprofit Houser Labs — to dive into the cutting edge of bioscience, innovation, and how science can serve ND communities. Dr. Houser shares his journey, the mission behind Houser Labs, and what the future of bioscience holds. Don’t miss this insightful and inspiring conversation! 🎧 #JobPod #jobsnd #Bioscience #HouserLabs #STEM
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Episode 80: ND Demo Days
The Job Pod
This week on Job Pod, Dusty sits down with Craig Griesbach, project manager at Ames Construction, to talk about all things Demo Days — a hands-on event sponsored by the Associated General Contractors of ND that’s inspiring the next generation of builders and heavy equipment operators. 🏗️👷♂️ Whether you're a student, parent, educator, or industry pro, this episode offers insight into how Demo Days are shaping the future of construction in North Dakota. 🎧 Tune in now to hear: ✅ What Demo Days are all about ✅ How students get real-world...
info_outlineDawn Ulmer, the ND CTE Strategic Project Manager and Paul Zettler, the Work Based Learning Coordinator for Grand Forks Public Schools visit with Dusty about ND CTE. Learn what Career and Technical Education is all about and how ND is growing opportunities for our students through CTE.