Students at Whitefish High School are taking a jump start on careers with several classes geared towards career-building and life skills — Jobs for Montana Graduates, Interpersonal Relations, and Personal Development.

Students enrolled in such classes are provided with opportunities for job shadowing, interview practices, and other 'real world" applications.

Presley Pritchard, a junior, is taking it one step further. Pritchard volunteers weekly as a "job shadow" at the Whitefish Fire Department.

"I am an 'explorer' for the fire department," she said. "Basically, I train with the firefighters there and I learn the entire time. I go to the fire department at a minimum of once a week."

Pritchard started job shadowing last summer after she moved to Whitefish from New York. When she discovered the fire department didn't have a program similar to one in her former hometown, Pritchard chose to take action.

"I always wanted to be a police officer, but I thought the fire department was really interesting," Pritchard said. "I met with chief Kennelly a few times and we started this new Explorer Program. Now I love it and would not change it for the world."

As an "explorer," Pritchard practices putting on her gear and packing up, cleans and washes vehicles, does chores, and studies. She also familiarizes herself with the vehicles at the fire department so she's aware of every item's location.

"If there's an emergency call, I have to get geared up just like the guys and go," Pritchard said. "Then I do whatever needs to be done or whatever I'm told."

Pritchard's experience thus far has taught her much as a volunteer and student.

"Before I joined the fire department, I honestly could not do laundry, I couldn't open a can, and I didn't even know how to use a real mop," Pritchard noted. "Being in the department has made me into a more respectful, responsible, honest and trustworthy person. I think it's good for teens to have something like this because it teaches you valuable skills you need in life, and it showed me that there's more to life than what other kids my age are doing."

Pritchard said she hopes to continue her "exploring" through her senior year and is looking into a career at the fire department.

"I want to be a firefighter or paramedic someday, especially after my experience at the Whitefish Fire Department," Pritchard said. "It's a really cool and rewarding job to have, and I like helping people."

As for the relationships that she's developed through her job-shadowing experience, Pritchard said the fire department has come to mean something to her on a personal level.

"I'd like to thank the workers at the fire department for the person that I am today. They've taught me a lot, and they're very helpful and caring," Pritchard said. "A fire department is like a family, and they're definitely my family."