Pam Krill says she feels like she may have found the job that’s right for her.
Krill is the new community workforce coordinator for the Blue Earth Area, United South Central, as well as the New Richland, Hartland, Ellendale and Geneva school districts.
In fact, the school has a contract with the Community Economic Development Association (CEDA), the organization that hired Krill as its coordinator.
She replaces former Community Workforce Coordinator Emily Davis.
“I started this job 30 days ago and I love it.” Krill says. “I work with teachers and students in three schools and love coming to work every day.”
Krill said she is working with teachers on programs that can help students explore future career possibilities.
She has already done three field trips with students to explore careers they might be interested in.
On one trip, we visited the City of Faribault for a job fair where students could learn about careers in law enforcement and other fields. Mankato hosted the Construct Tomorrow expo, where students could learn about trades such as welding, operating an excavator, plumbing and construction.
“We have already taken 55 USC students and 25 NRHEG students on field trips.” Krill says. “We have plans to visit county offices, do mock interviews at schools, and much more.”
A mobile medical unit will soon be set up at the University of Southern California, and Krill says it should be fun and interesting.
Her goal is to open opportunities for students to learn what is possible.
“For many careers, not all of them need a four-year college degree.” Krill explains. “They have a lot of avenues and a lot of things they can do.”
Krill followed some interesting paths of her own throughout her life.
She was born and raised in Kingston, Minnesota, a small town of 161 people located north of Dassel and south of St. Cloud.
She enlisted right out of high school and spent just over 21 years in the Air Force. She served in Iraq in 2008, twice in Afghanistan in 2011-2012, and again in 2013-2014 before she retired nine years ago.
She was a logistics specialist with the rank of E-7 Sergeant Major. Eventually, she decided it was time for her to retire.
“We lived in Colorado Springs, where I worked as a recruiter.” Krill says. “My son said I was ready to retire, so I retired.”
She and her son Donovan, now 21, moved to the countryside south of Gookin in 2015. She bought a house that was once a stable, and she says she loves it.
“I first worked at Mayo in Fairmont for four and a half years, then at the Social Security office in Fairmont for a year and a half.” Krill explains. “I then served as the Faribault County Central Services Director for just over a year.”
She says there were several personal reasons for leaving her county job.
“I really didn’t know what I was going to do next or if I was going to live off my military pension.” she says. “It must have been difficult.”
But then she turned to Annie Nichols at CEDA and learned about the opening for a Community Workforce Coordinator. She applied and was accepted.
“There was a lot to do.” Krill says. “Emily (Davis) left a lot of information and created a lot for the future of this position.”
Krill, on the other hand, learned that the field was wide open for him when it came to new ideas and things to do.
“My goal is to help students explore all options for future career paths.” Krill says. “That may or may not include college. But going to college isn’t necessarily an option. That’s the right thing to do for some people, but not for others.”
She said she wants to have a variety of opportunities for students to explore and will work with teachers and administrators on how to make this happen.
“I want to convey to students how important it is to enjoy your work, no matter what your job is.”Krill explains. “Yes, you need to earn money to support yourself, but if you don’t enjoy your work, you won’t be happy.”